Welsh waterboy could be in hot water
SPOTLIGHT: The referee’s mic audio has captured Welsh legend Neil Jenkins engaging in a heated verbal exchange with referee Mathieu Raynal during Wales’ 21-24 Six Nations loss to Italy in Cardiff on Saturday.
The incident occurred 23 minutes into the game as Italy led Wales, with Wales’ assistant coach Jenkins pausing to offer unsolicited advice to Raynal as he brought water to the Welsh players, critiquing Italy’s scrumhalf Stephen Varney for allegedly making a high tackle on a Welsh player.
French official Raynal – known for his no-nonsense approach – did not take kindly to Jenkins’s suggestions, marking a tense moment in the match.
Jenkins: “High tackle blue No.9?”
Raynal: “Your job is to bring the water on.”
Jenkins: “Your job is to ref the game.”
Raynal: “That’s the second time you have talked to me.”
Jenkins: “Blue No.9 high tackle, our staff are saying it, blue nine high tackle.”
Raynal: “Come here, that is the last time, next time you cannot enter the field. You understand?”
Jenkins: “Yeah, yeah.”
You can watch the exchange below:
A clip of the exchange between Mathieu Raynal and Neil Jenkins.
Not on.#GuinnessSixNations pic.twitter.com/eIvqLA2XaS
— Tight Five Rugby (@TightFive_Rugby) March 16, 2024
Jenkins – who has a storied history in rugby – both as a player and a coach will no doubt attract criticism for the comments.
It is believed that under current World Rugby protocols, as Raynal did not penalise Wales for Jenkins’ comments, he will not face a Six Nations disciplinary panel over the exchange.
However, the citing official may have a different view!
@RugbyPass
