Walsh should have been sacked
6 Mar 2013
MARK KEOHANE writes Steve Walsh should have been given the chop, even if just for a few games, for charging into Conrad Smith.
If a player had lost his cool, as Walsh did, and made contact with a referee he would have been fronting a disciplinary and all sorts of condemnation would accompany the appearance.
Walsh is again becoming a law unto himself and his ego is again getting the better of him.
The Australian-based Kiwi, who in Justin Marshall’s autobiography, admitted a rugby field wasn’t big enough to accommodate the egos of Marshall and himself and further made the admission that he couldn’t stand the sight of Marshall’s face and would penalise the Crusaders just because Marshall irritated him, has a controversial history with the whistle.
He was sacked previously because of his battle with booze and he returned to the game humbled and rejuvenated.
His performance in the Canes game was more of the old Walsh. His communication skills were lacking, he was larger than the players, he was No 1 and he was very anti the Canes in his approach.
The contact with Smith, when the Canes skipper queried a penalty, warranted sanction. It looked ugly and it looked malicious. Walsh was angry and lost the plot.
Smith has shown his class is being diplomatic and brushing off the incident, but Walsh erred in making the wrong call on a few occasions in a frantic final five minutes and it had a bearing on the outcome of the match.
Referee boss Lyndon Bray concedes Walsh got it wrong and Smith was right to query Walsh, and he further concedes Walsh’s performance wasn’t up to standard in the final few minutes. But, despite this, he told the Fairfax Media reporters the overall review assessment for Walsh was 93 percent and that the official reviewers were happy with the job done.
It is nothing short of disgraceful.
The Hurricanes lodged an official complaint and Bray said he and Canes coach Mark Hammett had agreed to disagree.
Bray said Walsh had made ‘two or three’ incorrect calls against the Hurricanes but defended Walsh’s overall performance.
‘Mark feels Steve didn’t have a very good day. My argument to that was I don’t think it was too bad, but I absolutely support that at a critical part of the game we got a couple wrong,’ said Bray.
Given this Walsh should have been stood down, even if just for a match or two.
‘I can understand that frustration, but across the game I don’t think there’s much argument other than Steve had a pretty good day generally. What Mark talked about really came down to a small number of decisions in the second half which really had an impact on the Hurricanes. Fair cop.
‘I think Steve would agree with Mark he had two or three calls in the last quarter that weren’t as accurate as he’d like, including the penalty on the goal line which resulted in the back chat. So that all got a bit ugly because we agree the decision was wrong.’
Bray further defended Walsh’s clash with Smith as accidental and not malicious. You decide.
‘He was [caught in the moment]. He was in decision-making mode. It’s just one of those things,’ said Bray. “One of Steve’s strengths is that he’s a strong character on the field and I think that’s pretty important for a referee. On Friday night both the players and the referee got a little frustrated.
‘He had a couple of errors build up and they went against the Hurricanes at key moments and that’s where you can understand Mark’s frustrations.’
Walsh’s reward for getting it wrong in the crucial time of the game was to fly to London to referee a Six Nations international this weekend and he will resume business in Super Rugby on his return.
Referee accountability is an area that continues to be glossed over in all competitions. The standard of refereeing in the early part of the competition has been inconsistent, the application of the five second use it law at ruck time has been so subjectively applied, depending on the referee, that it is a farce and certain referees allow teams to slow the ball down with repeated calls of ‘release release’ by which time the damage has been done to the attacking side.
Referee interpretation still influences too much of the play, as does the time of the match when the offending team transgressors. Teams commit professional fouls on their goalline in the first 20 minutes and never face a yellow card, but the same transgression is always punished with a yellow or red card if occurring in the last five or 10 minutes of a match.
Referees, like players, are paid professionals. They need to be held accountable when getting it wrong and there needs to be more sanction and scrutiny on those who allow the play to be slowed down by repeated cautions but rarely with consequence. Referees will tell you they caution to get flow but if they penalised immediately and set a standard that slowing down the ball won’t be tolerated they’d then get the flow in a game.
Generally there is too much back slapping within the referee fraternity and while it is a thankless task to be a referee let’s not forget these guys chose it as a profession, and if they want to be treated like professionals they must equally be judged as professionals.
Walsh betrayed the professionalism of an international referee in the way he lost it with Smith and lost it with the Canes. There had to be a consequence to that poor form. Instead there is only reward. It is why nothing will change.
294 Comments
Pages: « 1 2 3 4 [5] 6 » Show All
6 Mar 2013, 15:54 pm
@John1976-189:
That is a different issue.
The article and the subsequent dfiscussion is based on femicide.
Nama’s article deals with a subset of those statistics if you like.
Perhaps you should read from the beginning?
6 Mar 2013, 15:56 pm
@The Rangerman-191: @gunther-197:
What’s up?
Nothing about the fact that those stats are from 1999?
Come now, let’s hear it for Tac using old, old stats. No?
It suits the purpose so why should you worry about the fact that it is nearly 15 years old.
You feckers are so funny, it isn’t even funny.
6 Mar 2013, 15:58 pm
@nama1-202: FFS, you are not only a liar but also dumb.
It is not only about the interpretation, but the fact that the sample is not representative.
6 Mar 2013, 15:58 pm
@Tacitus-195: I thought that you were discussing theis statement by Nama:
98.nama1:
6 Mar 2013, 12:12 pm @gunther-70:
Not the only ones but for some reason they are responsible for the most family murders taking place in SA.
Note, I said MOST. They are not the only ones who take their family with them to the other side if they reach that point of no return. However, it is more prevalent amongst that community than any other in the country.
6 Mar 2013, 16:01 pm
@John1976-204: Prior to that you were discussing an article on thoughtleader posted here by Transformation with regards to OP and Lulu’s comments. I am missing something?
6 Mar 2013, 16:11 pm
@Finfan-203:
Ok Finfan. Before you pop a vein, go back on the thread and read every single post of mine and then come back and tell me where I lied.
6 Mar 2013, 16:22 pm
At the time of the original research project there was no clear definition of family murder. It was therefore decided to formulate an operational definition of what exactly was going to be investigated under the phenomenon of “family murder”. The following definition was used, which will also be used for the purpose of this article, namely: “Family murder is the deliberate extermination of the existing system by a member of the family or the intention to exterminate the system
…”
(Olivier, Haasbroek, Beyers, De Jongh van Arkel, Marchetti, Roos, Schurink, Schurink & Visser, 1991:44).
Definitions for murder on females:
Intimate Femicide: The killing of a female by an intimate partner i.e. her current or ex-husband, or boyfriend, same *** partner or a rejected would-be lover).
Non-intimate Femicide: The killing of a woman by someone other than an intimate partner.
Female Homocide: Intimate and non-intimate femicide.
Maybe that’s a good start as not to confuse the topics.
6 Mar 2013, 16:23 pm
@nama1-202:
well they’re eleven years newer than your original stats and they cover the wider based phenomenon rather than you rather more narrow area of concern. They also tell a very different story don’t they?
But I guess it suited your argument no?
@John1976-205:
Yes you are.
See above.
6 Mar 2013, 16:30 pm
@nama1-206: I read every single post (en my Afrikaans is net so goed indien nie beter as joune nie) and I still believe you twisted the facts to suit you.
It is quite clear that you are dumb, I’m sure that even you agree with that.
6 Mar 2013, 16:34 pm
@nama1-207:
So, it is obvious that Tac & kie (sounds like a TV program) were talking about one thing (Intimate Femicide) while I was talking about another (family murder).
Who’s to blame?
6 Mar 2013, 16:35 pm
@nama1-207:
The article that sparked this debate deals with femicide as a whole.
no mention of family muders.
you inserted that little gem yourself.
But nobody is to blame.
Or rather everybody is to blame.
6 Mar 2013, 16:37 pm
blame me….
or plod…..
but fark me can someone talk some rugby?
6 Mar 2013, 16:37 pm
‘It is difficult to establish accurate figures reflecting the incidence of murders within the family , due to the fact that there are no reliable statistics. At present, homicides that occur within the family, are included with homicide in general and the relationship of the perpetrator to the victim is not documented.”
Centre for the Study of Violence and Reconciliation
Nama, but don’t t let the truth bother you
6 Mar 2013, 16:38 pm
@gunther-208:
Boy, why would I give the link to Tac if I knew it tells a different story wrt female homicide?
Come on now.
I guess 15 year old stats is OK then. As long as it serves the purpose.
Oh well…
@Finfan-209:
Jy’t nog steeds nie vir me gese waar ek gelieg het nie.
6 Mar 2013, 16:39 pm
@grant10-212: Have you watched how boring the Stormers rugby currently is? It makes UK Premiership seem fast paced
6 Mar 2013, 16:39 pm
@nama1-210: You still made assumptions and other sweeping statements based on a sample that is not representative of white male Afrikaners.
I guess that is irrelevant, especially if you want to defend Lulu…
6 Mar 2013, 16:42 pm
On topic, Walsh intended to push the player no doubt. He did apologize though, possibly following some verbals from Smith?
6 Mar 2013, 16:44 pm
He doesn’t deserve to be sacked though, maybe stood down for a couple of weeks.
6 Mar 2013, 16:45 pm
@JL1-215: yes….I am not going this Saturday….simply given up…..last year was a terrible burden….this last 2 weeks I have seen nothing to dispel my fears that we are a defensive boring team so scared of losing we have lost the plot completely.
Rather stay home and save myself the frustration. Actaully looking far more forward to the Sharks…Kings game.
6 Mar 2013, 16:48 pm
@grant10-219: Province snapped out of the defensive mindset during the Currie Cup. There is no reason why this won’t happen again with the Stormers. Early days.
Good idea to watch a Sharks game
6 Mar 2013, 16:49 pm
@grant10-219: JDV is the problem…he needs to go I am afraid to say and then AC and RF
Kings seem well drilled by a Kiwi coach, my opinion is still reserved ito of the whole set up. Katrikillis seem to get that backline running
6 Mar 2013, 16:50 pm
@Finfan-220: Maybe the Sharks wont choke against the Kings? or is it too early in the season for that
6 Mar 2013, 16:52 pm
@gunther-211:
Yes, I did and I said why.
@JL1-213:
Good to see you back.
Good that you bring that up. It’s true that there are not accurate or more recent figures reflecting the incidence of murders within the family because they are lumped with general murder. However, the stats out there, as limited as it is, tells a certain story.
You can’t deny that.
In any case, some people want to talk rugby so let’s do that.
6 Mar 2013, 16:52 pm
@Dawn-152: 100% correct Dawn
6 Mar 2013, 16:53 pm
@JL1-222: Unlikely. Choking normally only happens at the semifinal stage, especially when you play at home. If my memory serves me right, it happened to another coastal team last year?
6 Mar 2013, 16:54 pm
@nama1-214:
They tell quite an interesting story though?
Quite different to your first observation which apparently is all just a misunderstanding on your part.
6 Mar 2013, 16:55 pm
@Finfan-216:
Sighhhh…
6 Mar 2013, 16:55 pm
@JL1-221: Also believe AC has had his time….we devoid of any freshness ….that management team have not been able to get us to take it to the highest level…..no balance and with that backline wthere cannot be any excuses….simply kak game plan …..JDV is going to be the Plod of the Stormers….already is.
6 Mar 2013, 16:56 pm
@gunther-226: Dumb people tend to misunderstand things. Maybe we should forgive him?
6 Mar 2013, 16:57 pm
@nama1-227: At last, a semi-intelligent post!
6 Mar 2013, 16:59 pm
@Finfan-229:
I don’t nama is dumb at all.
Au contraire he seems very clever.
6 Mar 2013, 16:59 pm
@Finfan-225: Unlike playing in 6 finals and a gazillion semi finals and still not getting the big trophy… that is choking
But they seem to look not to bad this year, maybe need some depth at scrum half, lock and prop
@nama1-223: It still does not seem correct, because statistically all Olympic athlete shoot would be intruders
6 Mar 2013, 17:00 pm
Op ‘n heel ander noot.
Ienkie pienkie ponkie
Suid Afrika eet nou donkie
Hiekierie diekierie dok
ons maalvleis is nou bok
Taragie taragoe
ons biltong is kangaroe
Kul jou hier en kul jou daa
ons steak is nou sebra
Viskoekies in die Baai
bestaan meestal nou uit haai
daai hoender wat so dril
is dikwels krokkodil
Die salami aan die haak
is dalk ‘n Taiwanese brak
en die sagte, pienk polonie
is dalk net Shetland ponie
maar dis als die moeite werd
die arme Britte kry net perd.
6 Mar 2013, 17:01 pm
@grant10-228: Very one dimensional. Province need to either change the people or change the people. A kiwi coach will do wonders with the team
6 Mar 2013, 17:03 pm
@JL1-234: John Mitchell or Pat Lam maybe?
6 Mar 2013, 17:04 pm
@gunther-226:
Boy, I know these things. I work with those stats more than you’ll ever know.
As I said, let’s leave it for now. The people want to talk rugby. Maybe you should too or are you too scared of the massacre laying ahead for your team that you’d rather not?
6 Mar 2013, 17:06 pm
@JL1-234: Agreed…..no excuses for the boring 1 dimensional cowardly rubish we have been dishing up since 2012…..skop jag and tackle…..what a crock of s hit man
6 Mar 2013, 17:07 pm
@grant10-228:
Agree on AC.
He has reached his ceiling I think. Time for someone to come in with fresh ideas. I’d like to see WP appointing different coach from AC so that we can see what he can do.
6 Mar 2013, 17:09 pm
@grant10-228: Smittie’s side is sitting top of the AP
6 Mar 2013, 17:10 pm
Cape Town – The welcome presence of senior hooker Tiaan Liebenberg among the Stormers reserves for Saturday’s Super Rugby clash with the Chiefs at Newlands here may give the home team a more meaningful opportunity to inject a speed merchant to their loose trio as the key game develops.
While naming an unchanged starting line-up for the meeting with the defending champions, the restoration of Liebenberg to the match-day 22 might well give coach Allister Coetzee the option of shifting versatile Deon Fourie from No 2 responsibilities to open-side flank either at or not too long after the halftime break.
Fourie brings the sort of dynamism and stealth to loose-forward play that Keegan Daniel does to the Sharks – though the latter is currently injured – even if his off-loading skills may not be in quite the same league as the diminutive Springbok’s.
The Sharks have traditionally valued the balance someone like Daniel brings to their loosies, as he can be a hugely effective tearaway and general attacking opportunist, and to all intents and purposes becomes an extra backline player due to his mobility, stepping and speed off the mark.
It may be one reason for explaining why the Sharks, who fought their way through to last year’s Hamilton final against Saturday’s Newlands visitors, appear to score tries more comfortably these days than most of their main rivals in the South African conference.
If the Stormers feel they need more brawn in their tight five – particularly at the scrums, where they are under scrutiny – some time during combat with the Chiefs, Liebenberg should be good value for at least half an hour’s play after his lengthy layoff through a back injury.
At the same time, Fourie would then become an attractive possibility for a continued on-field role among the loose forwards.
Another course of action, whether it involves making a change at hooker or not, could be to introduce the nippy and creative Nizaam Carr to the fray a bit earlier than has occurred in the first two matches of the season, where the Stormers have come off second best on the scoreboard each time.
Certainly if they happen to find themselves chasing the game against the Chiefs, Carr or Fourie adding some gusto to the loose trio makes sense; it may also aid the quest of the Stormers’ backline players to find some continuity and vitality and get over the advantage line.
Asked by Sport24 at Wednesday’s media briefing whether he was confident Liebenberg would have the stamina to go at least 40 minutes if necessary, Coetzee said: “Yes, definitely … I wouldn’t have had him on the bench if not.
“What happens if Deon gets injured in the first 20? I’m definitely confident Tiaan could complete the game from there.”
The incumbent Stormers loose trio features Duane Vermeulen at No 8, Siya Kolisi at open-side and Rynhardt Elstadt, who is also well acquainted with lock, on the blindside flank.
They lack nothing collectively in robustness and commitment at close quarters, but there is no hot-stepper or true tearaway among them.
Is that a problem? The Stormers coach doesn’t think so, even if some observers may slightly differ.
“Look, you are spot-on when you speak about physicality, and that is a question that is always asked of you by opposing teams.
“So you don’t respond by having quick guys … you must fight fire with fire. We’ve got good balance in the loosies; don’t forget that Deon plays his part on the ground from the hooker position as well.
“Siya, Rynhardt and Duane are busy growing again as a combination; finding each other.”
Defending his broader continuity in selection, despite the nought-from-two situation, Coetzee said: “For us it’s important to keep backing the players who made mistakes and have learnt from that … I said after the last game (against the Sharks) that it was a big improvement.
“So I don’t see any reason at this point (to change) if you don’t necessarily have players to improve the situation.”
Asked whether it was melodramatic to talk of the Stormers being at a “crossroads”, he replied: “No that’s not melodramatic. It’s reality for us.
“But we’re excited to be at Newlands, where we will have our passionate support behind us and I’m sure that will give us an extra push against the champions, who can tear any opponent apart on attack – we’re in for a big game.
“We’ve prepared well.”
6 Mar 2013, 17:11 pm
@Big Hit-239: Yes…Schalk rits has been outstanding.
6 Mar 2013, 17:11 pm
@JL1-234:
Bring Slaptjips back home and make him head coach of WP before he takes over the Stormers team. He’s been serving his apprenticeship for a long time now and will never become head coach at the Bulls because they believe their coach must be a kenner in forward play.
Watch how VM surpasses him and become Bulls head coach within the next two years. Ludeke’s days are numbered. The moment the Bulls have a kak season, he is gone.
6 Mar 2013, 17:11 pm
BRITS
6 Mar 2013, 17:13 pm
@grant10-243:
how are you anyway g10, hope you’re keeping well
6 Mar 2013, 17:16 pm
@nama1-233:
En jou polony is nou Vonkie Doël
6 Mar 2013, 17:16 pm
@grant10-240: i am no kenner..but ……
D Fourie at 6
Carr at 7
Vermeulen at 8
Elstaht at 4
Liebenberg or that Lion at 2
bobs your aunt!
Kolisi is tentative at the moment ….struggling with that post op I reckon…..we lacking pace to the breakdown…..Carr and Fourie will sort that….allow us to go wider sooner….Where is Willie….he is better at explaining this technical stuff
6 Mar 2013, 17:17 pm
@Big Hit-244: I am good….just so damn busy ….markets picked up last 8 months or so….so cant complain….how are you Kiwi slayer?
6 Mar 2013, 17:21 pm
@JL1-234:
name a south african side that a kiwi coach wouldn’t do wonders with.
@nama1-233:
6 Mar 2013, 17:22 pm
@nama1-238: Agree Nama…..I know long term contracts have been renewed though, so not likely to happen.
6 Mar 2013, 17:26 pm
@gunther-248: The Bools
Pages: « 1 2 3 4 [5] 6 » Show All
Have your say
You must be logged in to post a comment.