Is this Div's biggest media shocker?
Thu, 22 Jul 2010 12:13
Coach De Villiers ponders his next move. (c) Gallo
Springbok coach Peter de Villiers is famous for his media outbursts, but on Thursday he sunk to a new low by suggesting that his team have been victims of a conspiracy to assist the All Blacks ahead of next year's World Cup in New Zealand.
As South African officials took issue with what they claimed were adverse refereeing and judicial rulings over the past fortnight, De Villiers went further - insinuating the All Blacks were aided by referees in the Tri-Nations to help swell Kiwi World Cup excitement.
The Springboks crashed to back-to-back defeats against the All Blacks in New Zealand (12-32 in Auckland and 17-31 in Wellington) this month and face the Wallabies in Brisbane on Saturday.
"I've got my own observations about the last two Tests, and maybe I can't say it in public, but we do have a World Cup in New Zealand next year and maybe it was the right thing for them to win the games so they can attract more people to the games next year," he said on Australian television.
The Springboks are bemused as to why northern hemisphere referees have officiated in their opening two Tests, which New Zealand won comfortably after South Africa had players sin-binned early in both matches.
Lock Bakkies Botha was also suspended for the entire Tri-Nations tournament for head-butting scrumhalf Jimmy Cowan in the loss in Auckland, while wing Jean de Villiers was banned for two weeks for a dangerous tackle on Rene Ranger in the 31-17 Wellington defeat.
De Villiers was particularly unhappy about the way Irish referees Alan Lewis and Alain Rolland controlled the breakdown in both matches.
All Blacks skipper Richie McCaw stayed on the field despite being warned and penalised several times by Rolland, and in response, De Villiers said his team might have to cheat in order to compete.
De Villiers has subsequently refined his comments to say they should be more "street smart" against the Wallabies in Brisbane.
He has the support of the South African Rugby Union, with SARU President Oregan Hoskins instructing their SANZAR legal representative, Judge Lex Mpati, to address what they see as inconsistent rulings against the Springboks.
"A number of stakeholders have complained to me about the lack of consistency in the rulings of the judicial officials in rugby," Hoskins told South African newspapers.
"I have stressed to Judge Mpati the seriousness of the matter.
"I don't want to say too much further, as previously I have spoken about the issue in the media and nothing has been done about it."
South Africa will have to contend with another Irish referee on Saturday, with George Clancy set to officiate in their must-win clash in Brisbane - where they have not triumphed in the post-apartheid era.
Clancy, however, was appointed to officiate in the encounter only after New Zealander Bryce Lawrence was forced to withdraw because of injury earlier this month.
AFP
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