News

O'Brien blasts Matfield and De Villiers

August 19 2008

Both Peter de Villiers and Victor Matfield are set for a run-in with the International Rugby Board (IRB) with regards to their post-match comments concerning referee Matt Goddard.

Goddard, who took charge of the Tri-Nations encounter between South Africa and New Zealand in Cape Town on Saturday, was the target of harsh criticism from both De Villiers and Matfield.

De Villiers blasted Goddard in the aftermath of his side's 19-0 humiliation, as well as twenty-four hours later, claiming match officials were wrapped in cotton wool.

"It is very difficult for us to live with what has been dished out to us," De Villiers said talking of the refereeing interpretations in this season's Tri-Nations.

Not only are the IRB unhappy at De Villiers' comments but also the manner in which Matfield continually heckled Goddard throughout the game.

The IRB's referee's boss, Paddy O'Brien, said it was deeply disturbing to hear such comments from De Villiers.

"All the countries have been invited, after each match, to put a report forward on every referee where they have got concerns," O'Brien said in The Independent.

"Countries like England, Wales, Argentina and many others have all spent time after games submitting very mature reports. That is very valuable to us.

"However, I have yet to hear from the South Africans all season. There is a medium to go through and that is me, but I have no sympathy for a coach that wants to go through the media rather than me.

"I will be meeting Peter (de Villiers) later in the month and if he has any grievances he will have a chance to bring them to me."

O'Brien stressed the fact that referees should not be open to public enquiry after every game they officiate them in.

The former Test referee went on to say De Villiers should not be casting aspersions at the referee to mask his own team's three defeats in four Tests in this Tri-Nations.

"They (the referees) should not be open to public enquiry just because coaches have their own agenda," O'Brien added.

Added to that O'Brien, in a hard-hitting response, criticised the manner in which Matfield hounded Goddard throughout the game.

"Captains don't have the right to question decisions. But Matfield was questioning almost every one and arguing," he continued.

"Matt Goddard's lack of experience counted against him; he should have stopped it. It's disturbing to see players disputing every decision. They can't do that. They are delaying the opposition and in a lot of cases it is done deliberately to slow the opposition down. It's got to be stamped out."

In Matfield's defence O'Brien did hold his hands up over the main issue Matfield had with the referee, players lying over the ball in the Tri-Nations.

"I agree we have to be tougher. We would like to see referees be a lot stronger in taking more sanctions against repeat offenders. Otherwise, the players will say to themselves, 'This is great, we can get away with this'," the New Zealander continued.

"But the teeth the law has got is the option of a yellow or red card to sanction people that won't comply. You go from a penalty to a yellow card to make sure the laws work. Otherwise, teams will keep doing this all day."

O'Brien said that it should be remembered, the ELVs were new to both players and officials. It was, he thought, quite hard to change the officials' mindset. But they would be reminded of their responsibilities in this area.

"I will be talking to the referees before the remaining games. At the moment, I think the referees are struggling with moving from free kicks to penalties. A stronger message is needed," he concluded.