VIDEO: TMO gets full backing from Peyper
IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Former international referee Jaco Peyper has backed the Television Match Official in last Saturday’s Test at Loftus Versfeld.
The Springboks recorded a 27-20 win over Ireland in the first Test in Pretoria – the first win over the Irish since 2016.
While the result was incredible for Rassie Erasmus’ team, it was accompanied by some debatable referee decisions from an Irish perspective.
The big debate was the James Lowe’s try being chalked off after wing raced 60 metres to dot down.
However, in the lead-up to the try, TMO Ben Whitehouse spotted an infringement at the breakdown and alerted referee Luke Pearce.
After the review, the officials ruled that Ireland hooker Ronak Kelleher illegally kicked the ball out of the ruck while on his feet.
The second incident also involves Lowe.
The TMO determined that the Leinster’s man foot was still in the air when he flipped the ball infield, which saw Bok wing Cheslin Kolbe score.
When questioned about the TMO’s view at the team’s Umhlanga base in Durban, Peyper said the TMO’s decisions were based on facts therefore it is very difficult to argue with the outcome.
However, he understands why the Irish supporters might feel aggrieved.
“The TMO has all the angles and he would have seen a few of those types of actions in the lead-up,” Peyper said, adding: ” When you score points off that, they are going to have to look at the turnover.
“Factually, the player is off his feet and he turns over possession.
“Sometimes you don’t want to step in touch but you’re in touch.
“Sometimes you don’t want to make that turnover when you’re off your feet, but you still do it, even though you don’t mean it.
“Factually: He was off his feet when turnover was made.
“So the try can’t be scored.
“Then it becomes a debate whether it should be a penalty to Ireland because he [Kelleher] was touched on the neck.
“That is debatable.
“But maybe the officials are trying to stay consistent, because a few minutes earlier, there was the same scenario on Kwagga Smith which was played through, so maybe that’s even-handed.
“That’s all in the game – you can’t referee everything, but you can’t leave stuff that’s high impact.”
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In regards to Kolbe’s try, which was reviewed a couple of times, Peyper explained: “It’s fine margins, so they have to be very clear. Rather have one replay too many.
“On-field decision is a try, so it means it stands until there is evidence that proves otherwise. They couldn’t prove with the evidence that he touched the ground, so you have to stay with the on-field decision.
“If we were on the other side we would have felt aggrieved, but they had a clear process and we could follow it.”
In his overall assessment, Peyper reiterated: “The referees don’t plan to go out there to make deliberate mistakes.
“The game is fast and dynamic, and there are a lot of moving pieces.
“The referees go through a thorough process, there is a lot of honesty and look at everything.
“Hopefully this weekend it is smoother.”
This week’s Test will be officiated by referee Karl Dickson from England. His assistant referees will be Luke Pearce from England and Craig Evans from Wales.
The TMO will be English official Ian Tempest.
