In a heartbroken reaction, France’s star player, Antoine Dupont, vehemently criticised New Zealand referee Ben O’Keefe for a contentious decision that he believes significantly impacted South Africa’s thrilling victory in the quarter-finals on Sunday night.
The most contentious moment of the match unfolded early, during the seventh minute when France was already seeking their second try.
Powerhouse lock Eben Etzebeth of South Africa extended his hand, intercepting a pivotal pass that appeared destined for a try.
Nevertheless, O’Keefe adjudged that Etzebeth had deflected the ball in a backward rather than forward direction. A short while later, the Springboks scored their own try, resulting in a 7-7 scoreline instead of what Dupont argues would have been a pivotal 14-0 lead.
Dupont said: “Well, what did you think from the outside? It’s hard to talk about things because there is a lot of disappointment, a lot of frustration. We want to see the images again, which will give us even more disappointment and even more frustration – but I think some clear and obvious things weren’t whistled.
“I don’t want to be a bad loser and moan about the refereeing but I’m not sure the level of refereeing was up the level of the game today. I don’t know if the match was lost at that point, but at crucial moments, we could have had a penalty. When you’ve gone forward 60 metres and you’re slowed down in the rucks, it’s pretty easy to whistle.
“That doesn’t take anything away from the South Africans’ great game, who got on top of us at the breakdown. They played a great game.”
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Three changes Steve Borthwick should make for Rugby World Cup semi-final
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Below, we look at three possible changes head coach Steve Borthwick could make for the semi-final in Paris next weekend.
#1. Marcus Smith
Telegraph 5/10: “Lord he was in the wars. Whether having Semi Radradra bouncing him in the tackle, Josua Tuisova ragdolling him, or going for an HIA, Smith showed huge heart. Jury out whether he will stay at full back for the semi-final.”
Rugby Pass 6.5/10: “Picked for just his second start in the full-back position, he worked well with some early ball but got caught on a run from inside his own half with England 8-0 up and that turnover resulted in a missed Fijian shot at the posts. Soon took a smack to the head from the yellow-carded Vinaya Habosi on a carry in the lead-up to the Marchant try. Returned to resume playing a very capable part in the win despite the need for further on-pitch running repairs.”
Planet Rugby 6/10: “As Steve Borthwick predicted, Fiji didn’t test his aerial skills, but Smith didn’t really cut loose. Conceded one penalty when trying to counter, but he did mop up well at times and that extra pair of eyes helped Owen Farrell.”
Evening Standard 6/10: “Rode out one extremely risky break and dealt with a broken nose to add just enough poise to England’s back-field set-up.”
Mail Online 5/10: “Battered and bruised in the contact area, with blood pouring down his face. Tackling in the backfield very different to front-line defending as he found out the hard way.”
Replacement: Freddie Steward