Ex-ref boss blasts English official after ‘completely unacceptable’ assist for Springbok’s try
Referee Karl Dickson and an inset of the maul before Akker van der Merwe's try Credit ©INPHO/Ryan Byrne/EPCR Rugby.
Owen Doyle has hit out at English referee Karl Dickson for his handling of the Investec Champions Cup clash between Pau and the Bulls.
The official has been heavily scrutinised on social media after his actions in the build-up to Akker van der Merwe’s try in the Bulls’ 24-26 victory over the Top 14 club, which snapped a seven-game losing streak.
Dickson slammed
Doyle, a former Test referee and ex-director of referees at the Irish Rugby Football Union, has added his voice to the criticism, dubbing his actions as ‘completely unacceptable’ and states that the officials needs be a lot better in the Six Nations.
Dickson is set to take charge of Ireland’s clash with France in round one of the tournament as well as the fixture against Wales.
“The visitors’ [Bulls] total included a seven-point try which came following an attacking maul late in the first half,” Doyle wrote in his Irish Times column.
“Referee Karl Dickson told the ball carrier, Akker van der Merwe, to ‘use it’ – so far so good.
“Next, an instruction came from the referee, as he shouted ‘break away’ to the hooker while tapping the player twice before pulling on the player’s jersey, as a further ‘reminder’ to get out of there. You might need to read that again – it was quite incredible and completely unacceptable.”
The noise in the stadium and on the pitch clearly made it difficult for the players to hear the official. Had Van der Merwe not broken away from the maul, it would have resulted in a scrum to Pau, but instead the three-cap Springbok charged over the tryline with four defenders unable to stop him.
‘Rage in my head’ Ronan O’Gara plays blame game after ‘unacceptable’ La Rochelle elimination
Referees coaching not officiating
However, Doyle believes that it is a classic example of officials moving ‘into player-coaching mode’.
“I do know that it is not refereeing,” he continued.
“The Pau defence was badly organised, and allowed Van der Merwe an easy enough passage to touch down after he had eventually taken the heaviest of hints and left the maul. Handré Pollard, of course, didn’t miss the conversion.”
Dickson has also been pulled over the coals after impeding the Pau defence before Nizaam Carr crashed over for what was ultimately the match-winning try for the Bulls.
“It was much to the chagrin of Pau’s Aaron Grandidier-Nkanang, whose defensive effort was obstructed by Dickson, positioned far too close to the action. Again, Pollard was on target, and the Bulls took the victory by those two points,” Doyle added.
“Add this performance to Dickson’s mysterious final penalty against Munster in Toulon last week – he will need to be a heck of a lot better when he handles our match against France.”
Want more from Planet Rugby? Add us as a preferred source on Google to your favourites list for world-class coverage you can trust.
