The TV and radio commentators were buzzing, rightly, over the fact
that referee Andre Watson blew the whistle so infrequently and let the
play flow in tonight's game in Sydney. As a result, the game flowed
beautifully, and we were treated to the spectacle of pulsating,
tension-filled football - a New Zealand v Wales match like they USED
to be.
that referee Andre Watson blew the whistle so infrequently and let the
play flow in tonight's game in Sydney. As a result, the game flowed
beautifully, and we were treated to the spectacle of pulsating,
tension-filled football - a New Zealand v Wales match like they USED
to be.
Imagine if Watson had let the 1999 World Cup final flow like that.
France would have led Australia by at least 20-9. Instead, this is
what happened...
France would have led Australia by at least 20-9. Instead, this is
what happened...
(1) At 8:35 of the first half, the Australian centre Jason Little,
under immense pressure just outside his 22 metre line, throws a
forward pass which is swooped on by French winger Bernat-Salles, who
races away to score. But as he is crossing the line to score, the
whistle blows! The referee (Andre Watson) is blowing for a scrum -
for the forward pass by Jason Little! The look of dismay on
Bernat-Salles' face is something to behold....
under immense pressure just outside his 22 metre line, throws a
forward pass which is swooped on by French winger Bernat-Salles, who
races away to score. But as he is crossing the line to score, the
whistle blows! The referee (Andre Watson) is blowing for a scrum -
for the forward pass by Jason Little! The look of dismay on
Bernat-Salles' face is something to behold....
Remember, folks, that Australian and New Zealand "pundits" are forever
moaning about how "northern hemisphere referees" are whistle-happy and
never play advantage - unlike their SANZAR counterparts. Perhaps
Watson was nervous. Or perhaps he just decided to dispense with the
advantage law that day.
moaning about how "northern hemisphere referees" are whistle-happy and
never play advantage - unlike their SANZAR counterparts. Perhaps
Watson was nervous. Or perhaps he just decided to dispense with the
advantage law that day.
(2) At 30:00 of the first half, the French forwards drive back the
Australian pack in a rolling maul of unstoppable power. It is pretty
much an action replay of the driving maul which, in the semi-final six
days earlier, decimated the All Black pack in the build-up to
French inside centre Richard Dourthe's try. Did I say that the French
pack was unstoppable? Well, I should qualify that: it was unstoppable
by mere FOOTBALLERS.
Australian pack in a rolling maul of unstoppable power. It is pretty
much an action replay of the driving maul which, in the semi-final six
days earlier, decimated the All Black pack in the build-up to
French inside centre Richard Dourthe's try. Did I say that the French
pack was unstoppable? Well, I should qualify that: it was unstoppable
by mere FOOTBALLERS.
But not by a determined man with a whistle. As the ball comes back
beautifully to the French halfback, right under the posts, Watson is
blowing his whistle like a banshee! Waving his arms frantically, he
screams: "Use it or lose it! Use it or lose it!!!!" The French
players gape in exasperation and bewilderment as Watson orders a scrum
to be put down, Australian ball. Poor old Fabien Galthie, the French halfback,
is a picture of anguish and stunned disbelief....
beautifully to the French halfback, right under the posts, Watson is
blowing his whistle like a banshee! Waving his arms frantically, he
screams: "Use it or lose it! Use it or lose it!!!!" The French
players gape in exasperation and bewilderment as Watson orders a scrum
to be put down, Australian ball. Poor old Fabien Galthie, the French halfback,
is a picture of anguish and stunned disbelief....
It is not only the French players that are horrified by Watson's
bizarre behaviour. After a long silence, a clearly disturbed TVNZ
commentator Keith Quinn says pointedly to Wayne Graham: "What do you
think of THAT decision, Wayne?" Wayne diplomatically holds his
tongue.
bizarre behaviour. After a long silence, a clearly disturbed TVNZ
commentator Keith Quinn says pointedly to Wayne Graham: "What do you
think of THAT decision, Wayne?" Wayne diplomatically holds his
tongue.
Not so the other commentator John McBeth. "Well, how DO you explain
it?" he asks.
it?" he asks.
I recommend anyone to re-view a tape of that match. If any other
referee had been in charge, France would have led by at least 20-9 by
halftime. Instead, the French players went in to halftime 6-9 down,
on a substandard and deteriorating pitch, with
their spirit broken.
referee had been in charge, France would have led by at least 20-9 by
halftime. Instead, the French players went in to halftime 6-9 down,
on a substandard and deteriorating pitch, with
their spirit broken.
It is a tribute to the sportsmanship of the French players that they
did not make more of Watson's outrageous performance. Of course the
Australian team should be praised for winning the Cup. But how would
they have fared in the second half playing catch-up football against a
confident French side?
did not make more of Watson's outrageous performance. Of course the
Australian team should be praised for winning the Cup. But how would
they have fared in the second half playing catch-up football against a
confident French side?
For the answer to that question, I suggest we need only look at what
happened to the All Blacks less than a week earlier....
happened to the All Blacks less than a week earlier....
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