World Rugby has reportedly conceded that SA Rugby’s director of rugby Rassie Erasmus was justified in the claims he made during a sensational 62-minute video in which he criticised match officials. ©Muzi Ntombela/BackpagePix
Breaking: Rassie Erasmus in the dog-box! Faces misconduct hearing after video rant
SA Rugby’s director of rugby Rassie Erasmus will face an independent misconduct hearing after his video rant about the officiating in the first British & Irish Lions Test.
World Rugby has reportedly conceded that SA Rugby’s director of rugby Rassie Erasmus was justified in the claims he made during a sensational 62-minute video in which he criticised match officials. ©Muzi Ntombela/BackpagePix
SA Rugby’s director of rugby Rassie Erasmus will face an independent misconduct hearing after his video rant about the officiating in the first British & Irish Lions Test.
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Erasmus posted a 62-minute video in which he slammed the way the opening clash was handled, in particular about the performance of Australian referee Nic Berry.
According to the Planet Rugby website, SA Rugby has also been summoned to the misconduct hearing, World Rugby said in a statement.
“Match officials are the backbone of the sport, and without them there is no game,” the governing body said in a statement.
“World Rugby condemns any public criticism of their selection, performance or integrity which undermines their role, the well-established and trust-based coach-officials feedback process, and more importantly, the values that are at the heart of the sport.”
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Rassie Erasmus, who has controversially combined his role with that of water carrier during the series to date, suggested among other things that Berry had treated Springboks skipper Siya Kolisi and British & Irish Lions counterpart Alun Wyn Jones differently.
The statement continued: “Having conducted a full review of all the available information, World Rugby is concerned that individuals from both teams have commented on the selection and/or performance of match officials.
“However, the extensive and direct nature of the comments made by Rassie Erasmus within a video address, in particular, meets the threshold to be considered a breach of World Rugby Regulation 18 (Misconduct and Code of Conduct) and will now be considered by an independent disciplinary panel.
“World Rugby has reminded the management of both teams of the importance of this area and their obligations regarding the values of the sport.”
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Rassie Erasmus’ video came after the British & Irish Lions had won the first Test 22-17.
The Springboks hit back to take the series to a decider on Saturday when they won the second Test at the Cape Town Stadium 27-9.
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Kick-off at the Cape Town Stadium on Saturday, 7 August is at 18:00.
