Erasmus to face a hearing

South Africa’s director of rugby Rassie Erasmus will face an independent misconduct hearing after his video rant about the officiating in the first British and Irish Lions Test.

Erasmus was scathing about how the officials handled the match won by the Lions in a 62-minute video message, in particular about the performance of referee Nic Berry.

South Africa Rugby has also been summoned to the misconduct hearing, World Rugby said in a statement.

Backbone of the sport

“Match officials are the backbone of the sport, and without them there is no game,” the governing body said in a statement.

“World Rugby condemns any public criticism of their selection, performance or integrity which undermines their role, the well-established and trust-based coach-officials feedback process, and more importantly, the values that are at the heart of the sport.”

Erasmus, who has controversially combined his role with that of water carrier during the series to date, suggested among other things that Berry had treated Springboks skipper Siya Kolisi and Lions counterpart Alun Wyn Jones differently.

The statement continued: “Having conducted a full review of all the available information, World Rugby is concerned that individuals from both teams have commented on the selection and/or performance of match officials.

They pretty much had to do this…but given they have waited this long, I would have waited till after Saturday.

“Match officials are the backbone of the sport, and without them there is no game,” the governing body said in a statement."

Shows you the high regard with which these guys hold themselves. Arrogant twats.

Without the unions, coaches, fans, broadcasters, boots manufacturers and rugby balls there would be no game either. What's their point?

Refs and admin staff are replaceable. 

THE PLAYERS ARE THE BACKBONE OF THE GAME!

Just some stuffed jackets thinking they are above the game.

The issue was that the feedback provided by the referee was sub-par, so Rassie used social media. 

Well almost every sport has a code of respecting the ref…be it cricket, be it tennis, be it soccer. If you break down that code because you think you’re right, expect your opponents to do the same.

This was an immature act by a self absorbed man.

If he’d done anything similar in the English Premiership, he’d probably never be allowed near his team again ! 

The bans Coaches get for criticising the officials are massive. 

’He did it for the benefit of the game’….I’ve got a used Rolls I want to sell you.

I would like see him try this shit in another country I won't mention.

They would string him up to the grandstand and shit on him. 

Gatland's totally lack of respect for him sums it all up.

I never understood the English fans ridiculing Gatland... Now I know why.He allowed his team to question every decision of the officials in the warm-up games. This was definitely his idea to begin with. 

I havn't been a total fan of Rassie for years but I remember the 74' Lions with their 99 call.The officials were powerless during the series of those mob attacks.I've just downgraded them to second spot and place Philip Nel's 37 Boks as the best team ever,beating Australia and New Zealand away.

Mark my words, some good will come of this...I would have preferred if he didn't do this, but how is this different than when Gatland showed the Faf video? Because it's longer? And he did try to go through the proper channels...with no joy. Sometimes you have to do it the hard way.

"challenges of reffing a game with so many complex laws requiring a level of subjectivity not found in any other sports"

The real problem needing attention. 

Rassie a good coach...

Viva the revolution 

You shake Baboon-ou's cage and you risk waking him up.

I can imagine that Beeno finding himself "woke" will be the ultimate nightmare.