RWC Semi Final: France - Wales (15-08-2011, 21:00)

[austingtir]

That video just shows rolland is consistent.... CONSISTENTLY BAD. Tana needs to get in his ear (and the IRB ) and remind him this isnt tiddlywinks.

So everyone that does a tip tackle from now on is going to get a red card or expect a judicial hearing.... I guess if it stops everyone from doing it completly it will be one thing.... but why is it still a grey area most of the way into a WC.

The IRB has a hell of alot to answer for in this tournament.

 

[greyMan]

Well my search for Estabenez's tackle have turned up fruitless... But from what people who did see have told me have said that it looked worse than Warburtons (picked the player up and physically driven them head first into the ground). Hufanga did one in that match too, only yellowed as well. I'm almost certain that both would fall under the same catagory as Warburtons, so why weren't they red carded as this 'Dangerous Tackle Memo' that people have posted here would reccomend? People don't seem to care because it was 'just a pool game' and not a semi final. That's wrong imo, as all games and all calls should be refereed the same. Pointless putting this memo in if it's only going to be used in some games. It's the inconsistency that has angered me the most

Yes, that does seem to be the biggest gripe people have. But the inconsistency isn't in this match in my opinion, it's in the other matches where the players didn't get red cards (hence why they got the suspensions/bans/whatever afterwards).

 

[Dizzy]

All tackles are dangerous and life threatening. If I'm steaming in to make a tackle (OK 30 years ago but you know what I mean) the last thing I am thinking about is whether I might do a guy serious injury. You tackle with the shoulder. Christ, my uncle has put in more serious tackles than that. He referees RL matches, has played professionally and is a member of BARLA.

Christ, it's a sad day for rugby when you can't put in a decent hit without the ref sending you off. +

best statement ive read in this entire thread

 

[ACT1NUP]

A decent but illegal hit none the less. Maybe we should incorporate the "on report" system league has and leave it until after the match to sort it out. Or atleast the ref could review it on a screen sideline or on the big screen in situations like these. Atleast something.

 

[TNT88]

yeeehaaaaw, spear tackles are the **** cuz!!! Dem blind old refereees so dam inconsisttant teams can't get a break. IRB should let Tana follow the referee around each game and tell him when to give red cards so they get it right next time. YEAAAAAAA, REFS ARE SOFT.

IRB SHOULD MAKE ROLLAND DRINK SOME CEMENT SO HE CAN HARDEN THE FAAAARK UP.

Justice4Sapolu

 

[Larksea]

heck 79 pages...

real shame about this game. Bizarre game all round, obviously dominated by a questionable decision to give a red card after only 20min.

I dont believe a red was justified, yellow would have been satisfactory, just and at the same time would not have had such a huge impact on the result.

The worst part is that I think the welsh deserved to win and France looked like the team that was playing a man down. You could say france's defense was good but at the samee time they did let a try in and they were only defending 14 men so reality is their defense was average at best and their attack was totally uninteresting. only box to tick for france was kicking their penalties - they mashed their drop kicks though.

It's true the welsh were robbed by the ref but the worst part is they should have still won if they kicked their goals. only 1/4 and a couple missed drop kicks.

congrats to france, the card wasn't their call and they had 1 more point at the end of 80min and I guess that's what matters. But IMO they have made it all the way to the final by being just average and shear luck, heck they only made it to the quaters because Tonga lost a game they would normally win.

Real shame the welsh haven't made the final. welsh and the AB's have been the most +ve teams this cup and I think they deserve to be still in it.

Gatland will quite rightly be upset with the ref but they still had their chances, the welsh will also be upset thet they didn't nail home just one more chance to score.

 

[Dizzy]

heck 79 pages...

Tell me about it. The NZ vs AUS thread is up to mid fiftys already and the game hasnt even begun yet.

real shame about this game. Bizarre game all round, obviously dominated by a questionable decision to give a red card after only 20min.

I dont believe a red was justified, yellow would have been satisfactory, just and at the same time would not have had such a huge impact on the result.

The worst part is that I think the welsh deserved to win and France looked like the team that was playing a man down. You could say france's defense was good but at the samee time they did let a try in and they were only defending 14 men so reality is their defense was average at best and their attack was totally uninteresting. only box to tick for france was kicking their penalties - they mashed their drop kicks though.

It's true the welsh were robbed by the ref but the worst part is they should have still won if they kicked their goals. only 1/4 and a couple missed drop kicks.

congrats to france, the card wasn't their call and they had 1 more point at the end of 80min and I guess that's what matters. But IMO they have made it all the way to the final by being just average and shear luck, heck they only made it to the quaters because Tonga lost a game they would normally win.

Real shame the welsh haven't made the final. welsh and the AB's have been the most +ve teams this cup and I think they deserve to be still in it.

Gatland will quite rightly be upset with the ref but they still had their chances, the welsh will also be upset thet they didn't nail home just one more chance to score.

Alot of controversial conversations have been going on throughout the day about this card. Shows how big it is and most people on the shows are saying the same things people are saying here. Overall, it ruined an enormous game.

 

[William18]

A decent but illegal hit none the less. Maybe we should incorporate the "on report" system league has and leave it until after the match to sort it out. Or atleast the ref could review it on a screen sideline or on the big screen in situations like these. Atleast something.

Putting things on report is kind of an opt out for referees. They would only do it because they're scared they will otherwise get the decision wrong. Besides, some players would be happy to be suspended for five games the next season if they took out a player of say McCaw's stature in a rugby world cup final. Besides, if Rolland saw it again he would have still given the red card. It was the right call for me and I generally disagree with cards being given out freely. The red card was given for the way the player was dumped. It was dangerous. I don't want rugby to be like tiddlywinks but I don't want to see players getting spinal injuries either. If you are a player you should now know - don't do spear tackles.

 

[Seaton]

Putting things on report is kind of an opt out for referees. They would only do it because they're scared they will otherwise get the decision wrong. Besides, some players would be happy to be suspended for five games the next season if they took out a player of say McCaw's stature in a rugby world cup final. Besides, if Rolland saw it again he would have still given the red card. It was the right call for me and I generally disagree with cards being given out freely. The red card was given for the way the player was dumped. It was dangerous. I don't want rugby to be like tiddlywinks but I don't want to see players getting spinal injuries either. If you are a player you should now know - don't do spear tackles.

This.

Spot on with everything else as well.

 

[Seaton]

Warburton banned for 3 weeks

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/rugby_union/welsh/15325714.stm

 

[Siva Tau]

France were so negative and had little to show against 14 brave Welsh players. France were pathetic.

 

[Amiga500]

All I think. All well and good that they gave bans AFTER the match, but what use is that to the match result?

Yeah - it seems unfair, if I was in your position I'd be ****** off too.

If the other 3 had been red carded (as they should have been) - would it really make it any easier to accept? Very slightly.


Rolland got it right - the other three decisions (made by someone else) were wrong. It is unfortunate, but I think the phrase "**** happens" is most appropriate for describing it all.

 

[igorBastia]

you are right; this polemic about the red card and the way France won come on my nerve. No one in France sing CoCorico! We all reconize without chauvinistic mind that Wale had very good played and was unlucky. But they have to admit the defeat as well. If they ware far away better than France they would play the final against NZ. Now discussion is over.

 

[Mr.cyclopede]

Best picture of the game:

 

[RedCard]

you are right; this polemic about the red card and the way France won come on my nerve. No one in France sing CoCorico! We all reconize without chauvinistic mind that Wale had very good played and was unlucky. But they have to admit the defeat as well. If they ware far away better than France they would play the final against NZ. Now discussion is over.

No one is blaming France. They are in the final and that's that. Even with 14 Wales looked the better side but again failed to take their points when offered. Wales lost this game twice. Warbs putting himself in the hands of the ref and lots of missed points from bad kicking. If we had a bit of luck it would have been a yellow card or the kicks would have been 6 inches further in when hitting the post or 12 inches longer when hitting from 50m out. Can't leave a game down to luck, we should have done things properly like we know we can. This will now hurt the players and harden them further and I expect to see them come back even stronger.

Time to now be proud of how Welsh rugby has been elevated instead of whinging. The boys had a great RWC which should be the lasting memory not 1 tackle.

 

[Saintjay]

But tonga would also know that that win would have taken them through. Top teams play to win every game, and you'd expect the finalists to have got there by doing that. As Pienaar said "france have been the worst team at this tournament, and they're in the final!"

I am not sure how true that is, based on that opinion, South Africa beat Wales so did they have more of a right to be in the final. Does that make Wales less of a top team than South Africa or say England who only lost one game during the whole cup, both were group winners. England won there group and lost to the same French team. Australia came second in there pool did they have less of a right.

It is a knock cup and nothing counts till the knock out stages, and no matter how you cut it France have made it to the final.

 

[gingergenius]

Glad I've been away this weekend and avoided the shitstorm!!!

First up, the Welsh players have to take a lot of credit for the heart they've shown in this RWC, and in particular the semi. Dominating a semi with 14 men was a tremendous effort.

Conversely, what they have to be aware of, for the second time in this world cup, is that a team can be as fit, strong defensively, strong in the set piece, and as adventurous as they like, but to be a great team you have to kick your goals. And against South Africa and France, Wales missed out on points with the boot that cost them dear.

Warburton. As a fan, I think that kind of tackle should not warrant a red card. In this sense it was unfair. However, the iRB's rules are more stringent, and the game of rugby is played in accordance to the laws. And the laws advise that a tackle like that merits a red card. I'm sure Florian Fritz's red from Rolland has already been mentioned - see that tackle and it is far less dangerous than Warburton's. Rolland sent Fritz from the field for that, and therefore I respect him for consistency - the most important attribute for a ref. Even if I disagree with the law that he was applying rigourously.

 

[LeztheTed]

Having watched the match again in the cold light of another day , I stick by my original point that In No way should Alain Rolland have Ref'd this match , A. He represents Ireland ! B. He has a FRENCH Father, C. He is a fluent french speaker !!! wether or not he claims to be unbiased he should not have been on the park with such a background !!
To quote Lawrence Dallaglio ' If a top flight player makes a serious error he left on the bench for a good few matches , so therefore the same should apply to match officials to allow them to reflect on their decisions !!!'.
France are in the Final not on merit but by good fortune !!!
Wales need to now re-group ,and, continue to grow and enforce the 'Steely' resolve and fortitude they have shown throughout this campaign and most off close out a game at the earliest possibility as the 'All Blacks' do !!!

 

[Saintjay]

Having watched the match again in the cold light of another day , I stick by my original point that In No way should Alain Rolland have Ref'd this match , A. He represents Ireland ! B. He has a FRENCH Father, C. He is a fluent french speaker !!! wether or not he claims to be unbiased he should not have been on the park with such a background !!
To quote Lawrence Dallaglio ' If a top flight player makes a serious error he left on the bench for a good few matches , so therefore the same should apply to match officials to allow them to reflect on their decisions !!!'.
France are in the Final not on merit but by good fortune !!!
Wales need to now re-group ,and, continue to grow and enforce the 'Steely' resolve and fortitude they have shown throughout this campaign and most off close out a game at the earliest possibility as the 'All Blacks' do !!!

You can't blame his dad or the fact he speaks French for Rolland makeing the right calls and not making a serious error. He also speaks English does that mean he can't do England games or ref any English speaking country. Yes maybe he has Wales issues being a secret English speaker who can't stand the welsh doing better that England.

You could try and find a reason why a ref can't be in the game for all sorts of reasons. If it had been an English ref Wales would have been in up roar. If it had been a SH ref, he does not understand the NH game etc. etc.

Shane Williams was gracious enough to accept defeat, Ex-Wales captain Robert Jones feels it was the right call and Liervmont hit the nail on the head saying "I can't help it that are kicker was better than theres".

 

[Antoine]

I agree France doesn't desserve to play this final, regarding the way the team plays. But why the other teams did not prevent les bleus from playing this game ? Just because of Mister Rolland ? Just asking...

Having watched the match again in the cold light of another day , I stick by my original point that In No way should Alain Rolland have Ref'd this match , A. He represents Ireland ! B. He has a FRENCH Father, C. He is a fluent french speaker !!! wether or not he claims to be unbiased he should not have been on the park with such a background !!
To quote Lawrence Dallaglio ' If a top flight player makes a serious error he left on the bench for a good few matches , so therefore the same should apply to match officials to allow them to reflect on their decisions !!!'.
France are in the Final not on merit but by good fortune !!!
Wales need to now re-group ,and, continue to grow and enforce the 'Steely' resolve and fortitude they have shown throughout this campaign and most off close out a game at the earliest possibility as the 'All Blacks' do !!!

Did you watch the games where AR was the ref with a french team ? By the way, why not speaking of Mister Bevan and the way he stole Les bleus in 1995 ? Fed up with hypocrisis...