I’m sure the announcement’s timing had nothing to do with the English test. Any investigation these days takes 6 months or more, many take years. This one was layered with process. There was plenty of pressure from the NH press to get it done and find Harrassmiss guilty.
My guess is the verdict was rendered and then immediately announced for two reasons. Firstly the possibility of a leak which would have made the announcement more awkward. Secondly the potential criticism of Erasmus coaching after they had found him guilty….especially given his provocative water boy routine.
At the end of the day this was always going to end this way. Just as Quintin’s kneelgate was always going down the tubes. Sponsors require predictability and they are the money that makes this whole thing work. WR will respond to that and they have control of all the levers.
At the end of the day this has probably made referees a bit more wary. So there is more lawyering. I doubt the decisions are much if any better….it certainly is more tedious. There certainly is more on field arguing by players, particularly the Boks.
The reffing issue in rugby stems from rugby’s rules eg of the break down, that is at the heart of the game. Do we now decide rolling away, the ruck being formed, reaching beyond the ball, entering from the side etc, etc aren’t necessary. These rules are there to promote attacking rugby.
But they are fraught with uncertainty….judgement calls people often can’t agree about, even with the benefit of slow/mo hindsight. 600 calls and non calls a game, in motion, with obstructed vision. It’s never going to get much better… having player’s wear sensors might help some calls….but is that rugby?
There were some bad apples out there….I don’t think Berry was one. And now that he has capitulated all Harrassmiss has accomplished is to make it much harder for him to legitimately question the referees after matches.
