VIDEO: Nigel Owens' take on Rassie's tactics against Italy
WATCH as retired referee Nigel Owens gives his insights on some of the most contentious incidents from last weekend’s international matches.
Owens joins the debate on the Springboks’ latest tactics deployed against Italy in Gqeberha last weekend.
South Africa began their 45-0 victory over Italy by intentionally conceding a scrum at the kick-off; fly-half Manie Libbok kicked the ball less than 10 metres, and André Esterhuizen caught it having been offside three metres in front of him.
The tactic was implemented because the Boks wanted to target the Azzurri’s set-piece, but they conceded a free-kick for pushing too early in the scrum.
The Springboks also set up mauls in open play twice during the game, with props lifting a pass receiver in the air as though they were in a line-out or preparing to catch a kick-off. South Africa scored a try from both moves.
The key question around the kick-off move concerns Law 9.7, which states that players “must not intentionally infringe any law of the game.”
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Speaking on World Rugby’s Whistle Watch, Owens said the Springboks should have been penalised for deliberately manufacturing a scrum.
He said the action was deliberate and should have been punished.
“If I was refereeing this game, that would have been a pretty straightforward, clear penalty because it’s not the normal action of being slightly in front,” said the Welshman.
“It’s a ploy, an action to get a scrum.
“The key word is ‘deliberate’. Normally, it’s accidental or marginal. This looked planned.”
Regarding the Boks’ line-out tactics, Owens labelled it as ‘clever’.
“A player being lifted to catch a kick-off is perfectly legal. It happens in every game,” he said.
“But if he’s in the air, defenders can’t touch him or those lifting him. The opposition has to wait for him to land.
“It’s a very clever ploy.
“Some like it, some think it’s not right – it all comes down to whether you think it’s fair.”
