Popular rugby referee Nigel Owens has clarified comments made to Munster lock Billy Holland in Saturday’s Guinness Pro12 victory over Glasgow in Cork.
The Welshman reacted after being told by former Ireland and Lions wing Luke Fitzgerald to curtail his one-liners to players.
Owens moved quickly on Twitter to challenge this.
The game is about the players not the ref. I didn’t say a witty thing or a put down. I just explained why advantage was over. Nothing more https://t.co/NtwxjIXNyz
— Nigel Owens MBE (@Nigelrefowens) April 10, 2017
The Munster man had thrown a misplaced pass just after Owens had called advantage over.
#WATCH Billy Holland’s ‘thug life’ moment with Nigel Owens will make your day – https://t.co/Lxzfsle4im pic.twitter.com/kBNZQzqZWD
— Independent Sport (@IndoSport) April 10, 2017
Owens said “It’s poor play by you there on the pass. Under no pressure there.”
Holland cheekily responded to the critique: “Cheers coach.”
“He shouldn’t be commentating on the game. His first focus is to make it a good spectacle, that he referees the game correctly.” Fitzgerald said.
“We’re heading into a dangerous territory for me.
“It’s a soccer thing, when you have everyone on the pitch talking to the referee, the referee trying to be too smart, trying to be friendly with the players.