Scottish ref’s ‘race is run’ after Springbok escapes sanction for ‘testicle grabbing’ as ex-Irish referee blasts ‘farcical’ scenes
Bulls forward Jan-Hendrikse Wessels and an inset of referee Mike Adamson.
Owen Doyle has slammed referee Mike Adamson’s handling of the United Rugby Championship (URC) clash between Connacht and the Bulls after an accusation of testicle grabbing.
This is just the latest harrowing critique of Adamson from the former director of referees at the Irish Rugby Football Union who believes that the Scotsman has had a ‘sackful of opportunities’ and should be dropped to give younger officials a chance.
Doyle took issue with the referee’s handling of an incident in the 18th minute of the URC clash, which ultimately resulted in a 20-minute red card for Connacht flanker Josh Murphy.
Ball tampering accusation
The events all unfolded when Josh Ioane sent a free-kick into the sky, with the Bulls securing possession and playing one phase out to the right. Murphy contested at the ensuing breakdown which proved to be rather messy as Nama Xaba was unable to clear his opposing back-rower.
The Connacht loose forward ends up on the back of Springboks and Bulls front-rower Jan-Hendrik Wessels and the former soon lashes out at the latter when the two go to ground. He struck the 24-year-old twice before Adamson blasted his whistle to end the passage of play, with Murphy quickly explaining his actions.
“He grab me here,” Murphy explained, pointing to his nether region. “Sir, look at it back, he grabbed me here, I wouldn’t have done it otherwise.”
Adamson replied: “I understand what you’ve said, I will check that, but listen what you did is unacceptable…”
Recounting the events in his damning review of the referee’s performance for the Irish Times, Doyle wrote: “Adamson has had a sackful of opportunities and has been around the block many times. He has been a regular presence at URC and European levels for a long time now.
“When Connacht’s Josh Murphy, suddenly angered, turned and hit the Bulls’ Jan-Hendrik Wessels in a ruck, it was clearly a reaction to something. Murphy insisted to Adamson that it was, as the referee politely put it, to do with his groin area. Testicle grabbing must be a straight red card without replacement, but the camera angles failed to confirm what Murphy had said.
“Of course, no blame whatsoever attaches to the officials for the lack of intel, but I have to take issue with what happened next.”
For Doyle, Murphy’s actions didn’t warrant a 20-minute red card, particularly after his interaction with TMO Hollie Davidson, who the former referee believes to be a much better official.
“The TMO, Hollie Davidson, called Murphy’s action accurately: ‘I’m not seeing a high degree of danger.’ The referee repeated that ‘we’re not seeing a high degree of danger’ and also added that it met the yellow card threshold. He then asked for confirmation that, in the absence of a bunker official, the decision was down to him. Given the context of the offence, just a penalty would have been a fair call,” he wrote.
“But disbelief followed as Adamson handed Murphy a 20-minute red card, meaning he would have to be replaced. Where that colour came from is a mystery, but it seems the referee got his wires completely crossed.”
Josh Murphy red card for Connacht against Blue Bulls.
Was there a bit of ball grabbing before? #URC pic.twitter.com/BasUkyolXD
— Darren (@SaffasRugby) October 20, 2025
Adamson’s race is run
According to Doyle, Wessels – who has been named in Rassie Erasmus’ Springboks squad for the end of year internationals – was fortunate to be on the pitch during the incident with Murphy in the first place.
Adding: “Wessels was lucky to be on the pitch at the time of the Murphy incident, having had an avoidable lunge at Josh Ioane after he had touched down for Connacht’s opening try. A yellow card and a restart penalty to the home team wouldn’t have gone astray. Adamson appeared to speak to the player, but without sanction.”
He dubbed the red to Murphy as a ‘farce’ and listed off a handful of other incidents where Connacht would feel aggrieved.
Doyle concluded: “At the same time, it must be clear as day to everyone that Adamson’s race is run. While there aren’t many, there are a few young referees champing at the bit for opportunities which are not available by persisting with him.”
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