South Africa’s controversial Director of Rugby Rassie Erasmus has been banned for two matches for his tweets about the officiating in last weekend’s defeat by France.
It means he will miss this week’s game against Italy and the blockbuster a week later against England at Twickenham.
Erasmus is just back from a one-year ban after his video rant during the 2021 series with the British and Irish Lions, with the ban coming exactly one year later.
World Rugby said: “Match officials are the backbone of the sport and without them there is no game.
“World Rugby condemns any public criticism of match official selection, performance or integrity, which undermines their role, the trust-based coach/match officials feedback process and the values of integrity, respect, solidarity and discipline that are at the heart of the sport.”
The ban related to a series of Tweets after the Springboks’ loss to France last week.
Erasmus continued Tweeting on Friday to reiterate his Tweets were not aimed at the officials, who have received threats following them.
Ireland ready for backlash
Ireland head coach Andy Farrell is braced for a backlash from a wounded Wallabies side intent on taking the scalp of the world’s top-ranked team.
Australia run out at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin on Saturday evening (Sunday AEDT) seeking to make amends for last weekend’s shock humiliation at the hands of Italy.
Wallabies head coach Dave Rennie has made sweeping changes to the team, which started a chastening afternoon in Florence, recalling a host of regulars.
Farrell expects the alterations to create a “different vibe” and knows how dangerous the opposition can be, having tracked the Wallabies’ agonising one-point loss to Six Nations champions France a fortnight ago and the previous narrow win in Scotland.
“They have a couple of things to hang their hats on in regards to motivation,” said Farrell, whose side remain atop the global rankings.
“But, in reality, 10 changes for them and they get the leaders back in the room, so there is a different vibe there from the start.
“Those guys are the ones that took the field against Scotland and came so close to winning in Paris. We know how difficult that is.
Andy Farrell. (Photo By Ramsey Cardy/Sportsfile via Getty Images)
“I’m sure they will be using last week as motivation and putting that together with coming to Dublin and taking our scalp, I’m sure that fires them up even more.
“The Australians are a great team to watch, they play a great brand of rugby, and knowing what they’re going to bring to the party on Saturday night will make for a spectacle.”
Farrell has also made significant changes for his side’s autumn finale following a flat display in an underwhelming 35-17 win against Fiji.
Captain Johnny Sexton is among five players back following injury, with recalls for Dan Sheehan, Peter O’Mahony and Garry Ringrose taking the total number of personnel switches in his starting XV to eight.
Australian Mack Hansen will be in the Irish side to face his home country, moved from the left wing to the right in the back three.
Having begun the month by toppling world champions South Africa, Farrell hopes his team have saved the best until last as they attempt to sign off a stellar 2022 with a ninth win from 11 Tests in an 8pm kick-off under the lights of the Aviva Stadium.
“We want to win every game, that’s always important in our eyes and we never shy away from that,” said Farrell.
“We are two games in – a decent performance and one that wasn’t – so saving our best ’til last.”
All Blacks named for England Test
New Zealand lock Brodie Retallick and England captain Owen Farrell will play their 100th Tests for the teams when they meet for the first time in three years at Twickenham.
Retallick was recalled for Saturday’s clash as soon as his suspension from the Japan Test last month was completed.
He’s the 12th All Black to a century and only the second lock after captain Sam Whitelock.
Their 64th Test start together will eclipse the world record held by South Africa’s Bakkies Botha and Victor Matfield.
The All Blacks made wholesale changes for the Test last Sunday against Scotland, which was won 31-23 at Murrayfield, and have reverted closer to the side which beat Wales 55-23 in Cardiff two weeks ago.
After impressing against Scotland on debut, Mark Telea has stayed on the right wing ahead of Sevu Reece in the only change to the backline in Cardiff.
Retallick has bumped Scott Barrett to the blindside flank and Shannon Frizell gone to the reserves.
A former world player of the year, Retallick was praised for his latest milestone by All Blacks coach Ian Foster.
“He has had a massive contribution to the legacy of this team over the last decade, during which he has inspired many,” Foster said.
The All Blacks are on a six-win roll going into their last Test of what’s been a testing year for them.
Brodie Retallick. (Photo by Amilcar Orfali/Getty Images)
“We’re in a good space. I like where our game’s going. We’ve had a plan to try and grow some options to cement some combinations and to change a few things in our game.”
Meanwhile, Farrell will become the third man to 100 England caps after Jason Leonard and Ben Youngs.
“We’re very pleased for Owen,” England coach Eddie Jones said. “He is an excellent player and competitor and deserving of every cap.”
Farrell also has won six Test caps from three British and Irish Lions tours.
All Blacks match day 23 (Test caps in brackets):
1. Ethan de Groot (12)
2. Codie Taylor (75)
3. Tyrel Lomax (22)
4. Brodie Retallick (99)
5. Samuel Whitelock (142 – Captain)
6. Scott Barrett (57)
7. Dalton Papali’i (21)
8. Ardie Savea (69)
9. Aaron Smith (113)
10. Richie Mo’unga (43)
11. Caleb Clarke (14)
12. Jordie Barrett (47)
13. Rieko Ioane (58)
14. Mark Telea (1)
15. Beauden Barrett (111)
16. Samisoni Taukei’aho (20)
17. George Bower (21)
18. Nepo Laulala (44)
19. Shannon Frizell (24)
20. Hoskins Sotutu (13)
21. TJ Perenara (79)
22. David Havili (24)
23. Anton Lienert-Brown (59)
Dempsey gets first start
Former Wallabies Test forward Jack Dempsey has been selected to make his first start for his adopted rugby nation Scotland as they prepare to face Argentina at Murrayfield.
The 28-year-old Glasgow flanker recently took advantage of a change in world rugby’s eligibility rules to switch his allegiance from Australia to Scotland.
The former Waratahs player, who qualifies for Scotland through his late maternal grandfather, made his debut for Gregor Townsend’s team as a replacement against the nation of his birth in the first autumn Test three weeks ago.
Dempsey’s inclusion in the starting XV for Saturday’s match, in place of the injured Hamish Watson, is one of two changes to the team that began last weekend’s defeat by New Zealand.
The other tweak to the team sees Jonny Gray replacing brother Richie at lock after the latter was hit with a three-game ban for foul play against the All Blacks.
Finn Russell, who was recalled last week after his surprise omission from the initial autumn series squad, retains his place at number 10.
There are six changes to the bench, with George Turner, who missed out through injury last weekend, included among the replacements along with Jamie Bhatti, Murphy Walker, Glen Young, Andy Christie, and Cam Redpath.
Ewan Ashman, Rory Sutherland, WP Nel and Mark Bennett, who were all substitutes against New Zealand, drop out the 23-man squad.
Meanwhile, Julian Montoya returns to captain Argentina in one of four changes for the Pumas.
Montoya had been named to play against Wales last week but then withdrew with a rib injury but will be back to lead the side up against the Scots, who they narrowly defeated in July in a three-match series in Argentina.
Also in the front row, Eduardo Bello is in for Francisco Gomez Kodela while Matias Orlando replaces Matias Moroni at outside centre and Bautista Delguy takes over from Mateo Carreras on the wing.
Veteran flyhalf Nicolas Sanchez is back among the replacements for a possible first outing since tearing a calf muscle in the opening 20 minutes of Argentina’s 26-18 first Test win over Scotland in July.
Australian coach Michael Cheika’s side have had mixed results on their British tour — pulling off an upset win over England at Twickenham two weeks ago but then losing 20-13 to Wales last Saturday.
Muzzo
Roar Rookie
Geez isn’t it?? What a surprise! Lol ???? So are you also teaching related Indigenous, cultural issues or just the Pom genocidal BS which they have over the centuries classed as colonisation? You know there’s strong Gubba support for that!
Fox
Roar Guru
Muzzo as I said I teach in Australia in the Australian education system so Te Reo is not in the school system here. I did my teaching degree here Muzzo. I have never taught in NZ so it not taught here in the education system and not an issue I come across here for obvious reasons.
Zero_Cool
Roar Rookie
Wasn't it towards the end of the EoYT? I'll defer to your recollection if you are going to assert it. But point is, Rassie should have been looking at a year or multi year ban for what he did. He attempted to unduly influence a referee, made a clear threat, and then followed through with that threat by leaking (or at least being grossly negligent in his handling of the video). That is pretty unprecedented in our sport and while at lower levels people have gotten life bans for less. WR ought to have stood him down immediately, until the resolution of the matter, and probably banned him more or less until the World Cup. Personally at least, I'd have liked them to make him complete a referees course because he clearly doesn't understand the rules if he's genuinely making the complaints he is making, but they're not genuine and he knows that full well. And they should have made it a condition of his return that he referee x number of junior games, so he can actually be made to understand that it isn't exactly easy to referee a Rugby Match and give him a little perspective.
Zero_Cool
Roar Rookie
Nah, I agree Berry wasn't technically the most accurate, but let's give him some credit, he wasn't exactly in the best situation. But also for every technical inaccuracy he more than made up for it with great game management and allowing the game to flow and great communication with the teams and he was not inconsistent; in especially challenging conditions (don't forget the COVID situation, and the Civil Unrest in South Africa at the time). Frankly, we are all too often reminded why it's so important in our game that technical accuracy be subservient to game management and communication. Honestly, the first and foremost thing that I want from referees is that they make space in our rules for a game of Rugby to take place, and are consistent. Berry was both those things, and justified his decisions well. And don't forget, our game has a LOT of margin within every decision, a referee making a 'wrong' decision is very uncommon. Not the best possible decision yeah, sure it happens, but very often they are not wrong.
Tim J
Roar Rookie
G’day WL, things are good here and family are doing well thank you. I hope that you are well also along with your family, I will do another article at some point :thumbup:
Muzzo
Roar Rookie
:laughing: :laughing: :laughing: :laughing:
Geoff
Roar Rookie
So BF, apart from bringing it into disrepute and trying to bully refs, also incite fwits who, then go on and make death threats to refs and their family, nothing to see here ffs.
Geoff
Roar Rookie
Wilder
Geoff
Roar Rookie
Muzzo, your losing badly and your swings are getting wider, probably would be good to refocus and get back to the Rugby.
Rongowhakaata
Roar Rookie
Season defining test for the AB’s. Our best starting line up except maybe S Barret over Frizzell. Massive test for him to dispel the demons from 2019. Hope he nails it. Certainly been built up by England. They have put a lot of pressure on themselves to deliver at home. I wish them well. Just the haka and response will be intriguing. TJ on the bench growing in confidence. Young Mark Telea to deliver on his promise. Jordie and Talea to be targeted on defence. Very exciting matchup. Kia kaha te kapa o pango!
Muzzo
Roar Rookie
Apparently, I assume, nothing regarding our culture, or even nothing in support of the Indigenous here? If anything do you support Te Reo?
Fox
Roar Guru
I teach in Australia Muzzo and Ancient history though obviously have studied other eras as well.
piru
Roar Rookie
I think he wants WR to give South Africa special treatment
Muzzo
Roar Rookie
So who are you to try & tell others what they should do?? Even some of your comments have been a tad hypocritical. As I’ve found as you say ‘ a bit rich’ coming from you, now run along!
piru
Roar Rookie
You've only got to delve into an SA Rugby page to see the hysterical delusion he dredges up
piru
Roar Rookie
I agree, no place for him in the game. If SA Rugby won't deal with him, World Rugby must.
piru
Roar Rookie
He's an absolute narcissist who can't believe there's any situation that isn't improved by him shoving his opinion into it
Muzzo
Roar Rookie
As I played , then put back as much as I took out of the game, & mostly on a voluntary basis. You say you teach English & history? Hopefully in Aotearoa you are teaching the true history of the culture of the land & its people, in which I myself, do embrace & accept, as many do. Like the history that tells the true stories of our past, & not the English BS, that is known for its atrocities & genocide in most nations they invaded & had the nerve to call it colonisation?
piru
Roar Rookie
Play well enough that a bad call here and there doesn't hand you a loss?
piru
Roar Rookie
I don't care what happened, it's not appropriate and no one in SA seems interested in reeling him in. Ban him