Nigel Owens forced to defend himself over now 'deleted video'

 by Luke Upton, he candidly reflects on the players who tested him the most.

The legendary Welsh referee appeared on World Rugby’s 

Whistle Watch following the match, where he highlighted what he felt was a major error in the 64th minute.

The flashpoint came when Springboks full-back Aphelele Fassi stopped Andrew Kellaway just metres from the try line before winning a turnover. Doleman and his assistants judged the play legal, but Owens argued otherwise.

"We’ve heard the words ‘Aussies robbed’ a few times in this Whistle Watch series," Owens explained.

"I’m not saying that they were robbed in this game, but they certainly do have a very, very valid point here, and I do believe that there should have been a yellow card to South Africa 15 (Fassi), and this is the reason why.

"So we have a line break, a clear great break by Australia and then the other Australian player regathers the ball. Now he’s tackled just short of the goal line – a few metres out. Look at South Africa 15. When he tackles that player, he needs to release the player with the ball, then get to his feet before he can attempt to jackal that ball.

"What he does, he does get back to his feet, but he never lets that ball carrier go. So we definitely have a penalty – it is quite cynical as well because it’s only a couple of metres out from the try line and it’s after a great break from Australia as well.

"Australia certainly are quite valued in their grievance point here. That definitely should have been a penalty. It should have been a penalty for either of those actions, and definitely a cynical action – a penalty and yellow card against South Africa 15."

The video sparked a backlash from fans online, with some likening it to Rassie Erasmus’ infamous critique of referee Nic Berry during the 2021 Lions tour.

One supporter wrote: "Oh wow, World Rugby criticizing their own officiating team. This is incredible. What must James Doleman think? How is this different to Rassie Erasmus’ infamous video?"

The episode has since been deleted by World Rugby.

Owens responded directly to the criticism, writing: *"Whistle Watch answers questions about big moments in games asked by the fans on social media. Were the Wallabies robbed is one of those questions.

"World Rugby referees agree on the content & outcomes. This would be their agreed outcome. It comes from the referees to us to explain to you."*

Australian rugby writer Brett McKay also condemned the move: *"This is a horrible look for the governing body, regardless of what you think of the moment itself.

"It's bad enough having media outlets running 'rate the ref' polls straight after a game, but World Rugby creating content with a former international referee pointing out possible mistakes of current international referees? No thanks.

"There's got to be a better way than critiques coming from a Welsh barn.."

Owens fired back, stressing that the analysis wasn’t just his opinion: *"World Rugby referees are the ones that agree on the content and outcomes with their selectors. This would be their agreed opinion on the matter. It comes from the referees to my barn to explain to you.

"You should find out about the process before posting."*

In a further post, Owens doubled down: *"This is exactly how to clamp down on referee abuse by being open and honest about talking points that have fans discussing. Or would you prefer us to say nothing and let the so called experts spout their nonsense whos os so often inaccurate.

"I am sure a quality referee like him would be the first to own up and learn from it as he would have in his review of it. Explaining to fans asking about a big non decision is not ripping into a ref."

Often described as the "hardest of hard men," Botha never shied away from confrontation on the field, and in Hard Men of Rugby

Bio:
The Welsh warrior, Alun Wyn Jones, is the world’s most-capped rugby player with more than 150 Test appearances. Known for his unmatched endurance, physicality, and inspirational leadership, Jones captained Wales to Six Nations titles and represented the British & Irish Lions on four tours.

Botha said:
“I like Alun-Wyn Jones, he’s a good fighter. We had some epic battles down the years and I have a lot of respect for what he's gone onto achieve."

Jones on Botha:
"He revelled in it didn't he. Physically he has to be up there. Let's just say he was able to keep the tradition going of the hardest of South African second rows."

Bio:
A towering figure in Irish rugby, Paul O’Connell earned 115 caps for his country and captained the Lions on their 2009 tour of South Africa.

Renowned for his line-out brilliance and sheer work rate, O’Connell was the heartbeat of Ireland’s pack and one of the most respected forwards of his generation.

Botha said:
"He's a world-class player and it's always great to play against world-class opposition. A phenomenal leader and player. He brought something to a team that’s special.”

Bio:
Widely regarded as the greatest player in rugby history, Richie McCaw captained the All Blacks to back-to-back World Cup victories in 2011 and 2015. With 148 Test caps, his intelligence at the breakdown, relentless drive, and leadership made him a nightmare opponent for any forward.

Botha said:
“They were always the hardest opponents we faced and there was no better player than Richie McCaw that I came up against. My role was clear when playing against them: make the breakdown brutal.

“If McCaw or any of the New Zealand boys had to take a moment to look out for me, then I knew I was winning. When I played them, I always wanted them to know I was coming for them, and the biggest compliment I ever received was from (South Africa coach) Jake White, who said he could see they had fear in their eyes during the game.”