I see The Bath Saga has been extended to Monday. Hope Jeff Blackett gets to the bottom of the whole murky affair and sorts things out quickly.
Rugby doesn’t need this!
All posts for the month July, 2009
Headline writers dream
Just had this pointed out to me – http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=337901&cc=5739
Bit old it would seem, but an absolute classic!
Posted by Ref on 27 July, 2009
https://refblog.co.uk/2009/07/27/headline-writers-dream/
The Quins saga
Sorry this is delayed, been on hols and wifi seems not to have reached the tourist cafes of North Wales.
Anyway, Whenever there is a big trial on the news, they always show elements of the evidence once the charged has been found guilty. Or even during the trial like the Steven Gerard case this week.
I hope the ERC now release the footage I assume shows Tom Williams being given/using a blood capsule. For him to get a 12 month ban and the club to get a €250k fine demonstrates that a convincing case must have been provided to the panel. They just don’t give out judgements like that without proof – so come on ERC, let us all see!
Posted by Ref on 21 July, 2009
https://refblog.co.uk/2009/07/21/the-quins-saga/
Steve Walsh is back
Glad to see Steve Walsh is back in the game. Obviously sorted himself out after his public fall from grace in NZ and now it seems the Australians have taken him under their wing.
Now the Super 14 appointments are done on form not country of origin, it does open things up for him, providing he can prove himself capable. Always was a good one in my eyes, and was a shame to see him finish his previous career the way he did.
Good luck!
Hattip: www.sport24.co.za
Posted by Ref on 6 July, 2009
https://refblog.co.uk/2009/07/06/steve-walsh-is-back/
Sympathy with Botha – disgust at SA
I didn’t see the Botha incident last week as I was in a pub in Edinburgh on a stag do, so with the Saffas armbands ive just had a look again via YouTube.
Have to say, I have every sympathy with Botha. Looked OK to me on the angle I saw. Through the gate and arm looked to be involved.
However, he was cited and found guilty by a completely neutral set of observers. Haven’t seen the judgement so cant explain it really. I can only assume there are other camera angles with cast doubt on the use of the arm, and therefore it was a dangerous charge.
For the South Africans to all be wearing ‘justice’ armbands in support of their comrade is outrageous. I hope the IRB come down on them all for bringing the game into disrepute. There are ways of challenging bans and clearly they could have appealed (busy week so this may have happened and I missed it and it was upheld) or they decided not to appeal in which makes today’s decision even more bizarre.
Time for the IRB to step up to the plate. The World Cup champions are challenging the authority of the ruling body of the sport. They mustn’t sweep this under the carpet.
Posted by Ref on 4 July, 2009
https://refblog.co.uk/2009/07/04/sympathy-with-botha-disgust-at-sa/
RefBlog - Views from a Rugby Referee 