"A mess" - Sir Clive Woodward slams decision to send off Sam Cane
Rugby NewsSunday, 29 October 2023 at 23:03
Following a fiercely contested rugby encounter where South Africa emerged as the triumphant team, Sir Clive Woodward, with a keen eye on the game's dynamics, raises a critical point.
Despite the victory, he contends that Sam Cane, the captain of the All Blacks, should not have been shown a red card.
This incident exemplifies a larger issue plaguing the sport—head contact decisions have thrown rugby into a state of disarray, ultimately leaving the players as the unfortunate victims of the ongoing turmoil
Woodward, writing in the Mail Online, began: "I realise I’m in the minority when I say this, but I don’t think he should have been sent off. I feel really sorry for Cane.
"My opinion is that rugby has got itself into such a mess with head contact decisions. The real losers are players like Cane, who is a role model professional, captain of the All Blacks, and was playing in the biggest game of his life. Frankly, he did not deserve this.
"As things stand under the current rules, if a player makes head-on-head contact with an opposition player and there is no mitigation, it is almost certain they will be sent off."
He continued: "The big reason for this is to protect player welfare, which of course I support.
"But those who have played and coached at the highest level will understand how quickly some of these incidents take place. In many instances, they happen so fast a player doesn’t have time to react.
"For example, I didn’t think England’s Tom Curry should have been sent off against Argentina for a similar incident at the start of the tournament.
"It was also ironic the player hit by Cane was South African centre Kriel, because he escaped any card for a similar clash against Scotland. If Kriel had been sent off then, South Africa’s World Cup might have looked very different."
Day jobs of the 2023 Rugby World Cup referee's:
#1. Ben O'Keeffe
Age: 34
Nationality: New Zealand
Occupation: Eye Doctor
One of New Zealand's six full-time referees, O'Keeffe is also a qualified doctor specialising in ophthalmology, which deals with eye health and disease.
Ben O'Keeffe facts:
O'Keeffe became an amateur referee for the New Zealand Rugby Union (NZRU) in 2013 having started officiating in 2008 at the age of 19
He grew up in Blenheim, New Zealand and attended Marlborough Boys' College where he was head boy in 2006.
O'Keeffe's brother, Michael O'Keeffe, represented New Zealand at the 2012 London Olympics in football
Ben O'Keeffe toughest player to referee: Ma'a Nonu
O'Keeffe said: "I think like Ma’a Nonu, yeah he was pretty tough. I’ve noticed over the last few years that players are just a lot bigger, a lot faster and a lot stronger.
"I trained with the Highlanders pre-season one year and you get a real appreciation of how big, fit and hard they hit. That just remind me why I just I love refereeing – so I don’t have to take those big hits."
#2. Wayne Barnes
Referee, Wayne Barnes during the Gallagher Premiership Rugby Match between Bristol Bears and Bath Rugby at Ashton Gate on 29 Jan. Photo: Phil Mingo/PPAUK
Age: 43
Nationality: English
Occupation: Barrister
The 41-year-old is an English international rugby union referee and barrister. It was law he studied at university and a career as a barrister he pursued after graduating, but as he started to progress up the ranks as a referee the RFU offered to employ him in 2005. He’s now refereed more Premiership games than any other official.
Wayne Barnes facts:
- When not on the pitch or working with the England team, Barnes is a practising barrister
- Barnes started playing rugby at the age of eight, and took up refereeing aged 15 with Gloucester & District Referees
- He also has two young children, Juno and Beau with wife Polly.
Wayne Barnes toughest player to referee Richie McCaw
BARNES SAID: “Richie always had the knack of asking the right question at the right time, sometimes it felt like I was losing a little bit of control. Contrary to popular belief, he didn’t talk a lot on the field. He knew the law book inside out and so when he asked a question, he often had a point.”
#3. Jaco Peyper
Referee, Jaco Peyper watches the TMO for a potential shoulder charge during the Autumn Nations Match between England and Australia at Twickenham on 13 November 2021. Photo: Micah Crook/PPAUK
Age: 42
Nationality: South African
Occupation: Lawyer
The 38-year-old still operates as an attorney for his family business, Peyper Attorneys while continuing to be one of the worlds best referees.
#4. Andrew Brace
Age: 34
Nationality: Irish/Welsh
Occupation: Musician
He is a grade eight violinist. His violin teacher was the mother of TV presenter Gethin Jones.
Andrew Brace toughest player to referee: Marcel Coetzee
Brace said: “ I think one of the toughest players I’ve refereed would be Marcel Coetzee. He’s such a physical player who never takes a backward step.”
#5. Nigel Owens
Age: 51
Nationality: Welsh
Occupation: Farmer
The popular Welshman had an interest in farming since he was a young kid and it has always played a huge part in his life away from the rugby field.
Over the years, Owens has been able to save up to buy his own farm with his partner Barrie and so far they've built up 26 pedigree Hereford cattle.
Nigel Owens facts:
Owens was born and raised in the village of Mynyddcerrig, near Cross Hands in Carmarthenshire
In May 2007, Owens publicly came out as gay in an interview with Wales on Sunday
His long-term partner is Barrie Jones-Davies, a primary school teacher from Llandovery
Owens started refereeing in 1987, after his sports teacher John Beynon suggested he take up refereeing after a school game
His first game was an under-15s match between Carmarthen and Pembrokeshire at the age of 16
Nigel Owens toughest player to referee: Austin Healey
OWENS SAID: “Definitely. I only caught him towards the end of his career, thankfully. A wonderfully talented player and a very good pundit now, but he always had plenty say and quickly assumed I didn’t like him. He’s actually blocked me on Twitter, but I don’t think I’m the only one.”
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