JOE SCHMIDT REFUSED to criticise referee Jaco Peyper and television match official Jon Mason after Ireland’s 21-9 defeat to New Zealand in Dublin.
There were a number of contentious decisions in a fierce contest at the Aviva Stadium, with Ireland’s players particularly angered at the 11th-minute tackle by Sam Cane that forced Robbie Henshaw off with a head injury.
Captain Rory Best and his players also expressed grievances with two of the New Zealand tries, believing that Johnny Sexton had prevented Beauden Barrett from touching down for the All Blacks’ second and also questioning whether TJ Perenara’s pass to Malakai Fekitoa was forward for their third try.
However, asked about Peyper’s refereeing performance post-match, Schmidt bit his tongue.
“We’ll feed our feedback through the appropriate channels,” said Schmidt. “They’ll send out edicts and will try and keep the game safe and make it enjoyable.”
Did you feel Sexton managed to hold up Barrett?
Look, it’s not for me to say,” replied Schmidt. “I think it was the first question that was asked, so it’s ‘try; yes or no?’ Therefore, there has to be a clear grounding and if it’s deemed it was a clear grounding then they make that decision.”
Should the TMO have looked at other angles in more depth?
“Again, he’ll probably assess himself and others will probably assess him, but it won’t be us. We’ll have a look at the Wallabies tonight, they just kicked off against the French and we’ll try to assess them, assess what we did, and try to build on what we can control.”
Similarly, Ireland captain Best refused to criticise Peyper and his team of match officials after an attritional game in Dublin.
The Ulsterman was understandably frustrated with a number of the decisions during the game, but didn’t bring his annoyance into the press conference.
“Look, I think just like Joe said, we’re obviously looking to control what we can control,” said Best. “I think there were a few times where there was good communication, just other other times maybe not so much.
“Ultimately, from our side of things, we have to make sure that we control those. For example, putting that ball down a couple of metres short on that lineout move.
That has got nothing to do with the referee. Missing a few clean outs at a few vital times. That’s all stuff that we can control, that we can make it easier for the referee because we just keep the ball there.”
Asked specifically about the high tackles from New Zealand, Best did hint at his frustration.
“Look, they’re a very physical side,” said Best. “We know whenever you sign Kiwis into your club side, they hit and they hit hard.
“Obviously there were a few. The first one on Robbie. They deemed that to be head on head and not shoulder on head. You have to try roll with those decisions.
“I’m a parent myself and you don’t like to see people going off on stretchers. That’s something they’re [World Rugby] clamping down on and hopefully they’ll continue to do that.”
Best could be heard over the ref mic just after Fekitoa’s second try, New Zealand’s third, appealing for Peyper to check the final pass with his TMO.
The Ireland captain even then walked out from under his posts as Barrett lined up his conversion, with Best insisting “there’s too much at stake” for Peyper not to check it again.
Look, we just went up to him and said to take a look at it,” said Best post-match. “He said he can’t go [to TMO] on a captain’s call, which I suppose is fair enough.
“But it was on the big screen. He said he has a team to look at that and that he can’t be influenced too much by the captain. I tried to explain that there was a lot at stake to not take a look.
“He has people upstairs in front of the TV that are watching that and he has to trust them. We’ll leave that to the assessors. When you have a big game like that and it was a one-score game at that time, we need to feel that we have a chance to get a call on that.”
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A utd thread and the first 5 comments are all ABU….. First season out of the top 4 in almost 20 years and were written off, I suppose when were back in the top 4 we will be accused of “resigning Howard Webb” :-)
I think it’s more the fact that United won last year and this year with the same players they have been shocking! It’s embarrassing to call themselves champions!!
Chin up kev
Every non Man Utd supporter hopes he will be given time.
Arsenal, Chelsea and City have made it interesting? Yes, but does it hurt him that much he can’t even admit Liverpool have been just as impressive? United under Moyes have no chance at winning anything! But I agree, give Moyes time! It’s working wonders for everyone else :)
Damn straight! Give him LOADS of time. Maybe next season they can push for the Europa???
Lets not get ahead of ourselves here. Let them get 6th next season before they even think about Europa. They can dream tho
He did something right though signed Juan Mata
If he fails to beat Olympiacos over the two legs, then it’s time to go. Either look for Jurgen Klopp or someone with true success
Andre Villas Boas is available.
Why would anyone want to go there? Klopp is managing a champions league side and a team that are far better!!
In one way Dave though, Klopp is being pillaged by Bayern Munich. Strategy there seems to be to just buy out the rivals best players!
True, but he has only one team picking off the better players! United have Chelsea, City and even Arsenal getting ahead as the players choices!! And the original statement is still true that United are not as good a team and Klopp would be taking a backward step!!
Two things Dave. 1st off tell me one player Arsenal have signed that United wanted in recent years? Secondly, why would anyone go to Manchester United? If you are seriously asking that question then you know very little about football.
Time to drive them into the ground #lovinit
Love the way Liverpool fans think it’s all lovely and roses in the Liverpool camp, with them doing so well and all, even though the only difference between them and united has been 11 points this season… Hey least united will be in action next Wednesday… I mean is there even a difference between the managers in terms of silverware??? but no, Liverpool to dominate for the next 20 years!!! United to hopefully not be relegated!!!
David Moyes wont last 6 years at Manchester United.
Ok, will settle for 5 :)
I love the way 16 people have red thumbed that comment. If you think United have too much class to sack Moyes you are deluded!
A true united fan clearly. …