They’re a scary bunch, the folks at World Rugby. With the power to wipe out a coach or player from the game for weeks, months or even years, it is a brave figure who holds the line in opposition to rugby’s global governing body.
It looked like Dave Rennie might be the one. The Wallabies coach was measured and calm in his criticism of ″the system″ last week after a controversial loss to Wales ensured his first spring tour in charge ended in failure.
Unlike his Springboks counterpart Rassie Erasmus, whose wild spray and online skulduggery overshadowed any valid point he might have had about World Rugby’s lack of transparency and consistency.
Rennie played the ball, not the man, being careful in his post-match comments to ask for accountability, rather than attack the television match official, Marius Jonker.
He made the mistake of using the word ″horrendous″ in his first comments, on the field straight after the full-time whistle, and it was for this – and nothing else – that he apologised over the weekend.
It was a deal of sorts between Rennie and World Rugby. The Wallabies coach was in clear breach of the code of conduct, which forbids any criticism of match officials. So a compromise was reached, lending implicit credibility to Rennie’s broader points about the influence of the TMO and a lack of accountability for poor officiating performances. He accepted a warning.
This was a good result for the Wallabies, who have killed their risk of having Rennie suspended or the case dragged out, Erasmus-style. But it is a shame for fans that World Rugby once again escapes scrutiny for poor officiating.
Part of the problem is coaches act in isolation, responding in the heat of the moment and in opposition to each other. They back down when it is presented to them that a fine or ban is coming.
Erasmus was out of line and deserves his sanction. He withdrew his appeal last week and it would not be beyond the realms of possibility that he faced a ban longer than two months if he chewed up any more resources defending his nasty attack on Australian Nic Berry.
Rennie’s ref run-in apology leaves questions unanswered
Source: Philippines Alive
