Murray Kinsella reports from London
MICHAEL CHEIKA HAS come to the defence of referee Craig Joubert following widespread criticism over the South African’s penalty decision that allowed Australia to squeeze past Scotland in the World Cup quarter-finals.
World Rugby have thrown Joubert under the bus by making the bizarre decision to publicly underline that the referee made the wrong decision in awarding the Wallabies a penalty rather than a scrum.
Joubert has been overlooked for a semi-final game this weekend after his error, with Wayne Barnes and the Frenchman Jérôme Garcès preferred instead. Nigel Owens now looks the favourite for the final on 31 October.
Speaking at the Wallabies’ base in Teddington this morning ahead of their semi-final against Argentina, Cheika said he was deeply surprised to see World Rugby come out with their clarification.
“Well, I’d like my mates to back me up a little bit more on the odd occasion,” said Cheika. “I really do feel for him, I suppose we’ll send in the list after every match and make it happen every time, that’s what I think about that.
This is all I want to say about this to be honest, we talk about having the right principles in the game and all of that and I don’t think that that’s it, from some of the commentary that’s been going on about Craig Joubert and all of that and the way it’s been handled.
“Genuinely I’ve never seen that before. I’m not sure why that decision had to be reviewed. I really hope that his fellow referees stand by him. I really feel for the ref. It’s so unfair, no other referee has had this stuff put out there like that. Craig Joubert is a really good referee and that’s about it.”
The former Leinster coach – who has a checkered past relationship with match officials – went as far as to say World Rugby’s actions potentially open up scope for teams to highlight other questionable refereeing decisions in the days after games.
“I don’t know if the Samoans are putting in a list about Scotland and the little knock-on before Scotland scored at the end (of their pool game), I don’t know how many lists we’ll send in,” said Cheika.
“But, if they are going to review them all, we’ll start making the lists I suppose. It’s a bit surprising, because no other decision in the tournament has been reviewed, has it?”
As well as World Rugby failing to support their referee, Joubert has come under heated criticism from pundits around the World.
Scott Hastings, the former Scotland international, labeled the South Africa “a disgrace,” while ex-England scrum-half Matt Dawson suggested Joubert should never referee another game in rugby.
Cheika feels such open criticism goes against the spirit of rugby.
I can’t seem like I’m looking after the ref either, it’s not like I’ve come from a pristine background with relationships with officials, but once the game’s done and dusted I’m as good as gold with anyone,” said Cheika.
“The game’s on the field, in the white lines, everyone goes hard. Afterwards, as passionate as I might be about it on the field and when all that’s happening, off the field there’s no drama.
“It’s a game. Unfortunately, in this instance, people have taken the game off the field and have gotten quite personal about it. People who are supposedly people in the game who are earning a living from the game in commentary and stuff like that.”
I don’t remember Ali ever dodging a fight for about 5 years like Mayweather!
The lead up to the fight has been a failure. People have become both bored and annoyed by how long the fight’s taking to progress to an agreement, so it’s almost like it’s too late to drum up the hype that would have come naturally to it in 2009-12.
So they’ve to come out with this these tripe statements just to fuel the media outlets who are as bored as the public with it all.
3-5 years ago I’d have bought the PPV, now I’ll just watch the highlights in bed the next morning.
pat look at his record of wins ko’s and world titles at different weights this fella dosent have to dodge anyone it’s all about the purse, are you suggesting he’s fearful of Manny?
Mayweather is a genius of a boxer but his intelligence is confined to the ring alone. Such brainless comments from a guy with zero class. He also described how he has had it as tough as Ali in his public life, laughable stuff!
Mayweather is not the greatest…but neither is Ali…
Simon that is an absolutely ridiculous comment. And to have someone back it up is even more ridiculous. I love boxing and boxers from all eras. But for you to say Ali is considered great because he talked a lot and then he got sick is one of the dumbest comments I have ever seen. He is regarded by most experts as one of the greatest as he was, end of story. Jesus lads get a grip. He doesn’t have to be your number one but don’t make stupid comments when his record speaks for itself.
he’s right John Ali’s record does not even compare to Larry Holmes who’s career was overshadowed by Ali’s persona as I said first John Ali was a great and a lot of that greatness was from his out of ring antics but a great all the same.
2 things Paul, I agree it can be argued about different records in different eras, Holmes was class but he wasn’t as good IMO as Ali, Liston, Frazier or Foreman but he came just after them. He didn’t fight anyone of the same quality so not sure how you can say his record is better, it’s different times. Simon said most people just go along with it as he shouted and and they agreed, and then though the years they called him a great because he got sick and they felt sorry for him? Brainless comment, and an insult to real boxing fans.
I never said he wasn’t in the conversation. He definitely was up there. You make it sound like I said he was completely average. What I am saying is there are ALOT of people out there who give him the edge as #1 for reasons that have very little to do with boxing. They like him because he was funny , rebellious and ultimately because he got sick and everyone felt sorry for him. People get offended when someone points it out but it’s true.
I’m not arguing with you John as your points are valid it’s hard to compare eras Tyson for example beat a lot of very average fighters mind you he battered them ( berbeck ,Michael spinks bonecrusher Smith) to name but a few .
Whisht the lot of ye……….3 words…..Big Joe Joyce………
big Joe would bate all round him.
Paul I have already said that Mayweather is a genius but even if he wins you cannot say he is without doubt the greatest of all time, it just isn’t that simple. Mayweather made some ridiculous statements like dismissing the rope a dope and claimed he has had it tougher than Ali, including racial matters in the current climate. Totally braindead stuff! For what it’s worth I have only seen videos but by all accounts from the experts Sugar Ray Robinson was the greatest, and probably Ali second, I wouldn’t disagree with that.
Ali was considered the greatest because he was a showman and I loved watching him fight no doubt about that, but his record dosent stack up against mayweather who does makes some silly comments but that’s par for the course for most boxer’s.
Not only was ali the greatest boxer of all time, he was and remains to be the greatest sportsman who’s ever lived. Deal with it
that settles that so Don it must be right if you said it.
Right on paul, right on
mayweather record speaks for itself when he batters Pac man which he will he will retire as the undisputed greatest fighter of all time, his point about Leon spinks is correct a fellow of his standard would not be allowed into watch mayweather let alone fight and beat him.
I think Ali is considered the greatest by alot of people because he seemed to shout it to people the most and people just shrugged and said alright then because he could talk. They also say it because he got sick and loads of people have been patronizing him for the last 30 years. The greatest of all time is a matter for opinion and if you disagree then that’s fine. But he definitely has been patronized far too much. Mayweather said as much in an interview a few years ago too and he was right.
100% simon