Mailbox: Keep SH referees 'Way Down Under'

There has been overwhelming response to Ireland’s last minute loss to France in the thrilling Six Nations encounter at Croke Park over the weekend. Ireland supporters, though gracious in defeat, still feel they were robbed by New Zealand referee Steve Walsh. Here’s a few things you had to say…

I genuinely don’t think I have gone from being so happy to so sad in such a short period of time….gutting! But it seems the Irish players felt the same as me that the game was won, and took their eye off the ball…..I had to turn the after match analysis off as it was all far too painful!!

But Croke park, what a crowd, what an atmosphere! I am one of the lucky ones to have a ticket for when we meet England….it’s going to a special day whatever the result!

– Simon Crawford

It was an absolutely devastating loss. Not because it was to an excellent French side – which is no shame. Nor because it meant an end to Irelands Grand Slam hopes in the most cruel of ways. Rather, it was the manner of the loss. It is one thing to lose a game because you just were not good enough. It is quite another to be denied victory because of two appalling refereeing decisions. By failing to play any kind of advantage he denied Geordan Murphy a try and Ireland a certain seven points. It was perfectly obvious that no Frenchman would get near him. Mistake number one. But to ignore the blatant obstruction on Marcus Horan five yards from the tryline – which a blind dog sitting in O’Connell street could see clearly – was beyond comprehension. Without question a penalty and a certain three points, arguably a penalty try and a certain seven.

I know this is going to sound like sour grapes, especially to Welsh fans who feel that Ireland now know what it is like to be on the wrong end of a refereeing blunder. One mistake, however unfortunate is allowable. But this was TWO errors that together cost Ireland at least 10 and possibly 14 points. That would have put Ireland absolutely out of sight. Gutted and disgusted, but congratulations to an excellent French team who really graced the occasion.

– Robert (Dublin)

The final bit of the puzzle has fallen into place. The fat lady had not sung but…… It will never happen again. Roll on Rugby World Cup and bring on the Kiwis. Ireland now a great bet for the World Cup.

– Eoghan O Laoire

After all his mouthing off during the week, that New Zealand clown (Walsh) should be put down. If he is seen on a pitch again let alone during the Rugby World Cup, it will be an injustice to both the teams and the players involved!
I used to think he was a good ref now he is a sham! It’s like he played the game with his eyes closed.

– Killian Long

What a great publicity for rugby!

As a French supporter, I was obviously delighted with the outcome. This cliffhanger last-gasp try recalls great memories of two French historic wins down under: Blanco’s winning try vs Australia in the semi-final of the first World Cup, back in 1987, and, greatest of all, Philippe Saint Andre’s try “from the end of the world” vs NZ in 1994.
However, France should have sealed the game long before the 79th minute, and they ‘ll have to be far more clinical when they face major rugby powers, including Ireland next fall. No offence to Skrela, but they need a reliable world class kicker.
Vincent Clerc was outstanding, and it is a real pleasure that he eventually fulfills the expectations that he raised several years ago.
His try was worthy of Joe Rokocoko.
Ireland obviously missed BOD, and I reckon it could have been a different result, had he played. I’m confident they’ll beat England in a fortnight.

– Hugo, Paris

France just had that extra maturity and experience to win it at the death.The Irish run at them for long periods, the French soaked up an incredible amount of pressure but took their chances as they came.

– Peter Ofong

I feel Ireland were hard done by some questionable refereeing decisions. Most note is the lack of advantage played from a French knock-on that would have resulted in an Irish try under the posts if suitable advantage had been allowed. In the context of this game seven points was a definite game winner. Overall I feel both teams played below their abilities but Ireland were more dominant in the second half.

– Greg

I feel sorry for Ireland and hope they will get their well-deserved revenge against England. But you got to give it to the French team, often labeled as “aging” and “inconsistent” in the UK media weeks before the tournament.

– Olivier Koning

Please keep Southern Hemisphere Referees “Way Down Under”

– unknown

Seems to me that Ireland lost 13 points due to the referee’s (mis) application of the advantage rule. Twice in the second half there were penalties in front of or close to left of the posts, advantage was played and lost – six points gone. The kicks were pretty certain points. Yet the one time he whistled quickly rather than apply advantage an intercept try under the post was called back – sevens more points.

– Mike

Ireland made a slow start once again against France. Remember last year! There were plenty of other times also.

The Irish / Munster forwards are a great unit, but never start at 100 miles an hour. They are around a while now and I think that opposition teams are increasingly identifying this and they themselves starting like bats out of hell. Wales tried it, but without their top finishers, they failed to create / finish early chances. France did it and got an early ten point lead, which should have been a lot more. They did it last year in Paris and built up an enormous lead by half-time, before Ireland valiantly, but unsuccessfully clawed their way back. Leinster did it against Munster in November and built an unassailable lead before Munster began to come back a little into the game, but left too much to do.

The present Irish forwards like to slow things down. This is the opposite to what suits their backs, because they would thrive with any opposition in a high tempo game. There will have to be some change of tactics and maybe better use of available player resources. By selecting a few faster forwards to start the game and counter the now too common sight of teams flying at them for the first twenty minutes, maybe Ferris, O’Kelly and Gleeson / Jennings should start instead of maybe Easterby, O’Callaghan and Wallace. This would be a much more mobile unit, to provide for a planned high tempo start to the game. It would get more players to the breakdown earlier in the frantic early exchanges. At half time, maybe changes could be made, bringing on the heavies to suit the slower pace which always naturally comes about in the second half. The two or three “pacemakers” would play their hearts out for 40 minutes knowing that they would be replaced at half-time. Perhaps their training during “Camp” could even be modified to suit the shorter stint on the park. There would be a risk in terms of late injury possibilities, but a risk worth taking, I do believe.

It is indeed ironic that Amateur Ireland of old were noted for their frantic, spirited starts, which often saw them with a nice early lead. Their fitness levels, however, did not match and the inevitable fade usually followed with late scores given away. The current Irish Squad, because of the structure of the game in Ireland, is possibly better conditioned and prepared than any other, bar possibly the All Blacks and a fast early pace would suit them because they are capable of outstaying opposition, with or without a fast early pace.

– Kevin O’Connor

As an Irish rugby supporter I too am devastated by the loss to the French. However I thought Steve Walsh had a very good game. I watcha lot of S14 and normally think he feels the need to be the centre of attention, however, on Sunday I thought he had a very good performance. The two dodgy calls Robert referred to were not so clear cut, with the interception he had blown his whistle before Geordan Murphy touched the ball, and as for the Marcus Horan incident, I don’t think a full back like Clement Poitrenaud is really able to have outmuscled a prop like Horan so easily, in my opinion it certainly wasn’t a clear cut penalty.

My biggest grievance at the match was the last penalty O’Gara kicked, I didn’t understand why O’Connell pointed at the posts. Kick to touch, win a lineout, set up a maul and try and take as much time off the clock. Play the game near the French 22 and make the French force the game. I know Ireland could have killed the game off had they taken this option and I was shouting at the tv at the time, I’m not just saying it in hindsight.

I’m certainly not looking forward to the World Cup when France will have Yachvilli, a reliable goal kicker playing. Ireland, lets face it, the better team over 80 won it.

– Ronan

At last we saw some rugby in an exciting match in Dublin. Something neither the England, Italy nor Scotland, Wales game produced.

France’s front five dominated Ireland for twenty minutes and were certainly victors in the first half but Ireland clawed there way back into contention riding their luck and accepting some poor refereeing decisions in their favor.

Ultimately though France’s win must be considered a deserved victory although I doubt the performance by either team will have New Zealand quaking in their boots.

All in all a good Six Nations match but not world class rugby.

-Graham Frame

Was Steve Walsh’s one of the feeble tackles that let in Clerc for his try? Ireland choked, stop the excuses. Yeah, you could have some ridiculously pedantic Northen Hemisphere ref who think the crowd has turned up to listen to him, or you could have someone who tries to let the game flow.

I know which I prefer.

-Peter Johnson

Just a little word to the the Irish fans blaming the ref for their loss, the two French try-scorers were entitled to be stopped well before they scored. The fact that the Irish set pieces were woeful in the first quarter is hardly the ref’s fault; the fact the much vaunted Irish locks could hardly catch a cold, let alone a restart, is hardly the ref’s fault (Leamy’s effort is best not mentioned at all).

The Irish did well to fight back, but anyone can tell you that relaxing when you’re less than seven points clear of the French is very dangerous. To then muff the re-start and allow a winger to waltz past six potential tacklers is unforgivable.

Regardless of the ref’s mistakes Ireland had the game in the bag and thought 78 minutes of effort was good enough. An All Blacks v Ireland quarter-final is suddenly not looking like a bad thing.

-Andy Neilson