Plumtree on red card rule: 'The officials didn't know what was going on'

REACTION: Sharks head coach John Plumtree revealed that there was some confusion around the red card rule among the officials in his team’s Currie Cup semifinal against the Bulls in Pretoria.

The visitors booked a spot in the Currie Cup Final against the Lions courtesy of a superior try-scoring tally after the match at Loftus Versfeld ended in a 40-all draw after extra time.

Springbok prop Trevor Nyakane was the hero with his try in the 98th minute followed by a conversion from Lionel Cronje.

The Sharks showed tremendous character in the final stages of regular time when they were reduced to 12 men after a red card for centre Francois Venter and yellow cards for prop Dian Bleuler and fullback Jordan Hendrikse.

Venter was sent off for a head-on-head clash in a tackle in the 65th minute, but it seems the officials didn’t know that he could be replaced in extra time due to the 20-minute red card rule.

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“There was no real stage of the game where I sat there comfortably in my seat,” said Plumtree.

“I actually didn’t know the rules – Lionel [Cronje] had to kick it [the conversion] because we had more tries.

“There was a fair bit of chat on the sidelines around the red card replacement after 20 minutes.

“The officials really didn’t know what was going on there as well.

“I think it must be the first time it has happened in the Currie Cup.

“I don’t think either coach was feeling comfortable at any stage.”

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Plumtree revealed that they had to go the extra mile to make the officials aware of the 20-minute red card rule.

“It was only when we phoned our referee who helps us out in Durban and he said, ‘Yes the red card can be replaced after 20 minutes’.

“We got that message on and then they [officials] said, ‘Yes okay’.

“There was a lot of confusion on the sideline.

“I don’t blame the referee for that. I think the officials on the sideline need to be better than that because it added to the stress in that moment and we didn’t know if we could get Lili Bester on.”

The Sharks have one big injury concern ahead of next weekend’s Final against the Lions at Ellis Park.

“Emile van Heerden has an issue with his shoulder and we’ve got to explore what that is,” Plumtree told @rugby365com.

“He couldn’t go back out there after half-time.

“I think he is the main one. We’ve got one or two rib cartilage injuries but hopefully, that will not be too serious.”

@rugby365com