Springboks seek referee feedback after breakdown mess at Loftus

Rassie Erasmus used the word “frustrated” several times in the aftermath of the Springboks’ 42-24 win against a weakened Italy at Loftus Versfeld last Saturday.

The Bok coach lamented South Africa’s lack of intensity in the second half, and went as far as to suggest that there would be consequences ahead of the next team announcement.

In the same breath, Erasmus questioned the legality of Italy’s breakdown approach and intimated that the officials were too lenient on the visitors.

Both teams have since transferred to Gqeberha for the decisive Test of the series.

While it’s a new city subject to different weather and playing conditions, the Boks are determined to receive answers on some of the recent breakdown calls.

These answers will have some bearing on the next game, as the same teams will feature and the same group of officials will be on duty at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium – although Andrew Brace will referee the match, with Hollie Davidson joining assistant referee Matthew Carley on the touchline.

Feedback

On Monday, the Boks made another strong statement on the matter when they sent laws and discipline adviser Jaco Peyper to the first media conference of the week.

The former Test referee went out of his way to acknowledge the officials, before asking for clarity and consistency in their application of the laws.

“We think that Hollie and the rest of the team here in South Africa are good referees, and they’re the type of referees who will give you feedback when you ask for feedback,” Peyper said.

“Regarding the weekend’s game [at Loftus], there are one or two questions that we’ve raised.

“We respect the refs, we know that they go through their game reviews, and we are sure they will give us some honest feedback.

“That will put us all into a better position going into the next game.”

The breakdowns were a mess in the latter stages of the first Test, with stray boots and hands edging the ball back towards the defensive side on numerous occasions.

One could ask why a vastly experienced Bok team wasn’t more street smart, or why they didn’t exploit the refereeing interpretations to their benefit.

Those who watched the game, of course, would have noted how the contest lacked rhythm and energy in the second half.

Pressed for specifics, Peyper conceded that the management of the breakdown was the point of query.

“In rugby, when you carry dominant or when you tackle dominant, the little bit of grace sits with you.

“We have to make sure that we show the referee a picture that is easier to referee, and that we don’t allow for too much interpretation or management.

“We need to know how we can adjust, and we need feedback – but it’s a positive process, this is not bagging anyone.

“It’s not about us being unhappy, it’s a question of learning. We’ve got to make sure that we adjust to the referees.

“World Rugby sends out best practises [before the start of tournaments and international windows], and we need to know that we understand those correctly, and that we are training our players accordingly.”

Some officials give a competing player a warning in order to keep the game flowing. Others are quick to penalise a player who is deliberately slowing the ball down at the ruck.

Harsher

As the interaction with Peyper progressed, it became clear that the Boks want the officials to be harsher on breakdown offenders in the coming match.

“It comes down to whether the ref sees an infringement, whether they ask the player to stop doing that, or whether the referee referees the infringement,” said Peyper.

With regard to other areas of play, the Bok coaches and players admit that they were well below par at Loftus.

Peyper went to bat for the officials as well as the opposition when it was suggested that Italians may have impeded in the lead-up to their maul-try in the second half.

The Italy maul was set from some 20 metres out, yet the Boks – who pride themselves on this facet of play – failed to stop it.

“I don’t think it’s a law thing,” Peyper confirmed, “It was just a really good maul by Italy that was poorly defended by us.

“That part of the game is part of our soul, so that was a big negative for us.”

Bok prop Thomas du Toit – who was omitted from the lineup last week but looks set to play a role in the second Test – was equally honest about the team’s shortcomings.

“We set high standards for ourselves in a match,” Du Toit said.

“When we review a game [as the Boks did on Monday morning], we compare ourselves to how we were the week before, and ask ourselves whether we were better.

“[With regard to the last game] we have to look at ourselves in the mirror and say that we weren’t. We’ve also got to acknowledge that Italy were very good.”

The Bok team to play Italy will be announced at 3.15pm on Tuesday. DM