Rolland stands by red card
15 Nov 2011
World Cup semi-final referee Alain Rolland believes he made the right call to eject Wales skipper Sam Warburton despite several claims to the contrary.
There was an outcry from many Welsh journalists as well as members of the Wales management following the semi-final match in Auckland. Warburton was red-carded for a dangerous tackle on
France winger Vincent Clerc, and while the No 7 has since admitted that he got it wrong, some still believe that Wales would have won the game, and possibly the World Cup, if not for Rolland’s decision.
The Irish referee has finally responded to accusations that he ‘ruined the game’. Rolland maintains that he got the call right.
‘If I had to do it all over again I would do the same thing,’ he told the Western Mail. ‘I don’t think it needs to be vindicated full stop. The important part for referees, no matter what sport it is, is to take the emotion out of it. We can only officiate on the action itself and what he did merited what happened next because it was dangerous.
‘Did he mean to do it? Was it intentional or unintentional? We don’t officiate on intention, we officiate on the action itself. Unfortunately, what had happened gave me no option but to do what I did.
‘Any time you make a decision, 50 per cent of the people think it is a great call and 50 per cent of the people say “How did he come to that decision?”. That is just the way it is.’
Rolland added that the response by the Welsh contingent and many neutrals wasn’t unexpected.
‘The thing you have to remember is that straight after the game there was huge emotion everywhere, which is understandable. But in time, maybe in 10 or 15 years, it might calm itself down.’
Rolland also commended Warburton for coming out and admitting that he deserved the red card.
‘To be fair to Sam, I think it is a true measure of the man he is. I don’t think he had to come out to say anything and I didn’t really care one way or the other because what happened, happened.
‘I think for the game in general it was a very good comment by Sam because parents looking on would be happy to see he came out and said what he said, which might make the game a bit safer.’
Wales will play the Wallabies in a one-off Test later this month.
71 Comments
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15 Nov 2011, 09:24 am
Dangerous play deserves a Red, forget the occassion.
Dangerous is dangerous.
15 Nov 2011, 09:29 am
The Aussie’s used to allow outrageous play in their 13 man state of Origin matches, which would have got several weeks suspensions during the normal season.
The punters loved it, the commentators loved it, but the family friendly big spending sponsors were horrorfied.
Guess what happended.
15 Nov 2011, 09:29 am
Red card.
Done and dusted.
Wales would not have won the RWC, done and dusted.
15 Nov 2011, 09:30 am
@Brads(Brads)-1: Yip. Many felt that if Schalk had got a red card for his eye gouge against the Lions that it would have ruined the match and the series, but that’s tough ****. Blame the player for stuffing up the contest, not the ref.
15 Nov 2011, 09:35 am
@Hurricane(Hurricane)-3:
Well that is a lay down misere.
France were the only team that might have sneaked a win against the AB’s of 2011, and they very nearly did.
Wales, they haven’t beaten NZ for nearly 60 years, they were never going to do it away this year, not during RWC at home.
15 Nov 2011, 09:40 am
The most amazing thing for me is that it still does not feel like the All Blacks won the RWC.
I guess the hurdle which I seem unable to overcome is the combination of France dominating them in the final and Bryce – who is now up for their top ref award – deliberate and blatant cheating.
We have entered a 4 year period of illegitimacy; I think RWC2011 has damaged the image of NZ more than what they will (and want to) appreciate.
Have they initiated the practice of ‘smart cheating’ ?
No wonder some of the squad members still run around naked and assault people in bars- there’s a void, that’s for sure.
15 Nov 2011, 09:46 am
@zub(zub)-4:
Quite right.
Danie Rossouw cost the Boks the game against Aus for dangerous play, that is irrefutable.
15 Nov 2011, 09:53 am
@Sheriff(Sheriff)-6:
The most amazing thing for me is the number of SA’n fans who believe they would have won back to back RWC’s had it not been for cheating ref’s, and that every man Jck of them was in on it.
Including Craig.
15 Nov 2011, 09:56 am
@Sheriff(Sheriff)-6:
We dont really care what you feel Sheriff.
France donminated NZ in the second half only. If Piri got all his kicks over in the first half, we would have run away with it.
As for damaging the image of NZ, what have we done?
Unless you have proof that us Kiwis had payed or cheated the win then show your proof.
All you have is a few ref calls that didnt go your way and that proves the All Blacks cheated to the final.
To me thats just the sore loser coming out in you.
Dont post unless you can man up.
15 Nov 2011, 09:59 am
The All Blacks will know that they were lucky in the final. France did not back themselves until halfway through the game.
The referee that has been ominously quiet on his officiating is oddly enough….Bryce Lawrence.
Are the New Zealand bookies watching him closely with threats of a kneecapping if he opens his yapper?
15 Nov 2011, 10:03 am
@Great White Shark(Predawn)-10:
I don’t know about SA, but betting on illegal acts in NZ is … illegal
Besides who cares.
15 Nov 2011, 10:04 am
how is an appropriate officiating decision a talking point?
ffuck me!
what about the inapropriate officiating decisions as well the non-decisions?
15 Nov 2011, 10:08 am
@Hurricane(Hurricane)-9:
Quite right.
The game is played over 80 minutes. So all points scored and all play during that 80 minutes must be considered.
NZ failed to take their opportunities in the first 40, France failed in the second 40.
Had the game been SA v France and SA won would there have been an issue with the Ref?
15 Nov 2011, 10:18 am
@Brads(Brads)-13:
There have never been ref problems when SA actually win. I am yet to see many on here complain about the ref to the point of calling him a chaet when the boks win.
Is this really odd or what?
@Great White Shark(Predawn)-10:
If he does open his mouth, what would he say?
Remember, proof and facts go alot further than what you think he would say
15 Nov 2011, 10:19 am
@Brads(Brads)-11:
lol
15 Nov 2011, 10:22 am
@au revoir mon tout noirs, au revoir…(i_love_u_bakkiesbotha)-12:
That is what blogs are for son…. a vehicle to vent your spleen.
The pure on field decision was black and white…..according to the ref, who of course is sole judge of fact!
15 Nov 2011, 10:44 am
@Brads(Brads)-8: do you blame them? the NZ team are pretty ****, all but beaten by a coachless France at home in the final, they were there for the taking. Not sure why their reaction should be amazing to you, NZers were very similar after 2007, worse in fact.
15 Nov 2011, 10:56 am
@Big Hit(Big Hit)-17:
Dear Biggles,
NZ were robbed in 007,
as you rightly know.
In 2011 on the other hand,
SA lost because they were tactically inept.
They had the players, but not the top 2 inches.
France were magnificent until the last 5 minutes when they resorted to unsavoury deeds, knowing they could not bust the NZ “D”.
And that is the truth of the matter.
Yours etc,
cane.
15 Nov 2011, 11:01 am
@Hurricane(Hurricane)-9:
What you sow, you will surely reap.
It is just my opinion that NZ did not deserve to win the RWC 2011; you cannot change that.
I would have been happy if Wales, France, Aus and of course SA won it.
Cheating has always repulsed me, so I will wait patiently for justice to be served.
Yes, sometimes it takes a long time, but it always comes.
15 Nov 2011, 11:07 am
Dearest caner
NZ ‘won’ by the narrowest margin of any previous ‘winner’ and they were at HOME with the ref roundly criticised for his horrificly one-sided performance.
Sorry to give it you straight but this group is the weakest group of ‘world champions’ in world cup history – well at least since the group that won that invitational pi$$ up in 1987.
It’s best you fellows take the cup and keep your heads down, for there surely is no room to even consider gloating, now there’s a good chap.
Yours truthfully,
Big Hit
15 Nov 2011, 11:08 am
@Sheriff(The Lawman)-19:
And you are of course entitled to your opinion Lawman.
However jaundiced it may be.
15 Nov 2011, 11:11 am
@Big Hit(Big Hit)-20:
England:
8=
8)
Gloat.
15 Nov 2011, 11:13 am
@Big Hit(Big Hit)-20:
And yet England didnt make it out of the QF, futher more they were beaten by this useless uncoached team that NZ managed to beat.
I think you of all people should keep quite. Not only was your teams cr@p but they made themselves look like a bunch of no hoping ball swapping cheating pissheads.
15 Nov 2011, 11:16 am
@Big Hit(Big Hit)-20:
Did you know Biggles,
that Ted,(Soon to be Sir Graham Henry),
in 8 yrs at the helm of the AB’s,
never lost a game to an International British or Irish Team.
Amazing but true.
8=
gloat
15 Nov 2011, 11:17 am
@Sheriff(Sheriff)-19:
Exactly
Yep, we were cheated out of the RWC 2007, we waited and Justice was served.
Everyone in the world saw NZ being cheated in 2007 except South Africa and Big hit.
Even the French coach afterward said they beat the worlds best.
SA had the RWC yet were never the worlds best team. I understand your pain Sheriff but like you i am entitled to my opinion
15 Nov 2011, 11:18 am
@Hurricane(Hurricane)-23:
To be fair Hurricane,
the “English”player that leaped off the Auckland Ferry was in fact a Pasifika.
8)
15 Nov 2011, 11:20 am
@The Gloater – formerly cane(cane)-26:
No he wasnt, England does not poach Cane, you know that.
15 Nov 2011, 11:27 am
@Hurricane(Hurricane)-25:
Mate, your team cannot ‘win’ the Cup if it is not in NZ and specifically at Eden Park.
They cannot. That is fact.
You waited but then embarked on the unrighteous project to bring about your own justice in your own way. That is not justice. That is called manipulation.
The only fair thing is for every country to cheat the ABs in every match they play; every 50-50 calls must go the other team’s way. I’m not in favour of this of course but dont be unhappy when this happens as you started it. You have to see it through now.
15 Nov 2011, 11:29 am
@Hurricane(Hurricane)-23: lol like Cory Jane, Israel Dagg and Zac Guildford and co.? never touched a drop in their lives right…
Reality is, despite being at home NZ were no better than England on or off the field, even lost to the same opponent, so take your 1pt world champs and scuttle off under the long black cloud.
Be gone with you!
15 Nov 2011, 11:31 am
There is a pic where Victor Matfield shakes the hand of the cheater, Bryce Lawrence on the web.
His expression is almost one of: I’m sorry Vic, I had no choice in the matter. (it looks like he wants to burst into tears)
We always knew that cheating would come, but woe to him who was the instrument.
15 Nov 2011, 11:35 am
@Big Hit(Big Hit)-29:
Sure the young boys drink as you probably did, but to be caught out so many times as the English have suggests there is a problem.
We actually beat France twice in the same tournament as SA did to you guys in 2007.
1 point is a win, remember England does victory laps around the Twickers waving at the crowd with big smiles after closely losing to NZ.
1 point win is a win in my book. Cant blame me for England losing to an uncoached team as you said.
15 Nov 2011, 11:36 am
jeez hindsight is 20/20, hey??? rollmthrfkneyes…
15 Nov 2011, 11:38 am
@Big Hit(Big Hit)-29: @Sheriff(Sheriff)-30: Nz were the only unbeaten team in the comp..
no matter how many tears you guys shed on here , it will never change that fact… 4more years losers, enjoying any cheese with your whines?
15 Nov 2011, 11:40 am
@Sheriff(Sheriff)-28:
lol
This sounds like a school play ground.
He cheated first and its not fair.
Anyway good to see that you have come around and said we have won the RWC.
Yep it was in NZ….. so what?
You won in NH once while we were cheated out of that cup.
You hate cheating yet you have a problem when NZ gets cheated out of a game as your own country man ther TMO of late did. But that was fair wasnt it?
15 Nov 2011, 11:42 am
@Sheriff(The Lawman)-28:
“”You waited but then embarked on the unrighteous project to bring about your own justice in your own way. That is not justice. That is called manipulation.”"
Would you like to substantiate this piece of drivel Lawman.
With facts if you please!
15 Nov 2011, 11:44 am
@poppa69(poppa69)-33:
Hey Popps,
NZ were the ONLY UNBEATEN TEAM IN BOTH THE soccer WC & the rugby WC.
How cool is that!!!
8)
Gloat.
15 Nov 2011, 11:46 am
@Hurricane(Hurricane)-25: @The Gloater – formerly cane(cane)-18
On what basis were NZ the world best team in 2011?? They lost the 3N to Australia.
They struggled to beat one of the worst French teams in history who almost got beat by a 14 man Wales(for 60 mins),Lost to Tonga etc
As for it being NZ “D” that is a bit of a stretch(on what basis??) if there was ever one.Only real injuries suffered were at 10 and that was evened out by the fact that the French played a scrumhalf in Parra at flyhalf then also brought in a DEBUTANT 9 in a WORLD CUP FINAL taking off their goalkicker Yachvilli and still almost beat NZ….
Yes 2007 Barnes was a balls up & NZ were cheated IN THAT PARTICULAR game but “justice”???WTF?? on the basis of what? Who says NZ would have won RWC 2007?So your justice is served only by WINNING the RWC as 07′ it was somekind of cheating NZ out of their RIGHT to the cup? Lol,because thats what it sounds like.Talk about entitlement.
Boks were hard done by in OZ game by Lawrence and many have come out even international coaches to question his breakdown interpretation of the game.Yet NZ nominates him for Ref of the Year.Wasnt he the one who also called that ridiculous call in S15 calling a non engaged scrum “DANGEROUS”? Ref of the year….
Well done on the World Cup,best team in the world??? hmmm,you dispute SA as not the best in 07′,then All Blacks in 2011 didnt exactly prove that they were the world undisputed best through their performances neither. AB’s had 2 good games all year….When they beat Oz in Eden Park & when they beat France in Round Robin stage at rwc. Worlds undisputed best huh….
:
15 Nov 2011, 11:47 am
@The Gloater – formerly cane(cane)-36: Hey Caner.. its fantastic..
also, did you know the junior ABs have NEVER lost a game in 3 or is it 4 world cups?
did they cheat too?
15 Nov 2011, 11:47 am
@Hurricane(Hurricane)-34: @The Gloater – formerly cane(cane)-35:
I see tough times ahead.
Teams and refs are gonna cut you to pieces.
15 Nov 2011, 11:49 am
@Sheriff(Sheriff)-39: the only thing “cut to pieces” is yourself, you seem inconsolable..
shame
15 Nov 2011, 11:56 am
@poppa69(poppa69)-40:
You have been warned, so you have reasonable time to prepare.
You guys are gonna weep-u….
15 Nov 2011, 12:05 pm
@mshiniwami(mshiniwami)-37:
Nice post but you have seemed to have pulled out the 2 kiwis posts. Have you missed what Sheriff has said or are you getting around to him?
Anyway, as i have been taught on here in 2007,2008,2009,2010, the RWC proves you are the best, but we all have our own opinions dont we.
15 Nov 2011, 12:17 pm
Facts are:
1) The red was the right call.
2) NZ are the world chapms
These are the only undisputed facts, the rest is all speculation.
Also, every team in the world has young players (some old players) who celebrate a little too much. The Kiwi’s, Pomms, Aussies, Yarpies…you name it, we all have had plenty of young ‘thundercats’ who believe they are invincible after a few beers. Cry me a river and boo hoo, throw them all in jail and ban them for 2 years if you really want to stamp this out of rugby.
Lastly – as a Saffer, please can we stop with the Bryce Lawrence whinging. As poor as we think he was, he did not lose us the QF, the SA players who cannot score tries lost that final. Same as the Kiwi’s in 07. Barnes never lost the Semi, it wasthe inability to cope with the pressure. The players lose finals.
15 Nov 2011, 12:21 pm
Honestly, we sound like children with this constant whinging about the ref blah blah blah.
Between SA & NZ, were supposed to have the best players in the world. They are the ones who eed to take the blame for losses.
15 Nov 2011, 12:25 pm
@BULLET(BULLET)-43:
Cant say much to that……Damn it Bullet……just damn it.
15 Nov 2011, 12:34 pm
Sorry Cane,
But honestly, fark sakes, the RWC is over. You guys beat every team in your way, and won.
That is the truth. That is the only proveable truth. Nothing else.
We can prove that the ref’s made mistakes. We cannot prove theories about cheating unless we have evidence that shows money trasfers etc. Nor can we prove that the AB’s were poisened in 1995, unless the chef comes forward with his proof.
Its a joke.
Its as if we supporters cannot accept that our team was beaten. Ludicrous.
15 Nov 2011, 12:44 pm
@mshiniwami(mshiniwami)-37: Just so you know, when Cane says ‘France were magnificent until the last 5 minutes when they resorted to unsavoury deeds, knowing they could not bust the NZ “D”,’ he is referring to the New Zealand defence.
15 Nov 2011, 12:46 pm
@Sheriff(Sheriff)-30: That photo you mentioned is here (attached to an amusing article):
http://www.iol.co.za/news/south-africa/kwazulu-natal/bok-fans-target-wrong-lawrence-1.1157365
15 Nov 2011, 21:47 pm
@Sheriff(Sheriff)-19: holy cow thats rich saying “Cheating has always repulsed me”. u must hate your boks team
@Big Hit(Big Hit)-20: this is the worst RWC champions ever? these bad champs have consistently owned the boks in 3N for 3 of the past 4 seasons. if ABs are that bad, what does that make the boks?
@BULLET(BULLET)-43: well said bullet. need to get over this RWC and start looking to the future. Boks more than any team need to sort out their admin/coach. Boks could’ve had a much better tournament if it werent for PDV and playPower. focus on that
i have a question and i’ll say it again.
why is JakeWhite so hated? i reckon he’s an awesome coach. i work with some saffa’s and one of them actually had jakeWhite as a coach and he raves about jake’s knowledge and respect for his players. yet on this site lots of people hate him more than PDV. jake won you a WC, WTF? PDV didnt do sh it and was window dressing while the players ran the team.
if any foreigner were allowed to coach the AB’s i cant think of anyone better other than jake
15 Nov 2011, 23:44 pm
@man1a(man1a)-49: feel free to have Jake…..we will include PDV as a no strings attached optional extra
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