First of all, I'm English - not Welsh. However, I fail to understand who's decision it was to appoint Rolland as referee for this semi-final. He has just made one of the worst decisions I have seen in over 50 years of playing, and watching the game. Rolland is half French. Now, whether any bias exists, or not, the suspicion will always be there after a decision like that. Again, an iditiotic decision by the IRB. Almost any other referee would have been less controversial.
What is his other half nationality? The Welsh were tactically inept though, why they didn't try for a drop, 10 minutes from the end when they were in front of the posts, on the 22, is anyones guess. Two phases later they knocked on and the chance was gone.
His father is French. His mother is Irish. I agree about the drop goal opportunity. However, that's not the point I was trying to make.
with a heavy heart and a sense of irony, I now edit this joke I posted on the 10/10 on Rugby World Cup thread on the Swansea site............ Alain Rolland, the rugby referee, died and went to heaven. Stopped by St Peter at the gates he was told that only brave people who had performed heroic deeds and had the courage of their convictions could enter. If he could describe a situation in his life where he had shown these characteristics, he would be allowed in. "Well," said the ref, "Once, I was controlling a game between Wales and France in the World Cup semi-final. "Wales were three points ahead with just 18 minutes gone and playing very well, whilst France seemed to on the back foot. Maxime Medard of France made a break but was clattered by their inspirational captain Sam Warburton. The french players quickly surrounded the scene and in my father's tongue expressed themeselves in the only way they could. For a moment, I forgot I was neutral, that I had the support of my touch judges and also the TMO. In the heat of the moment I reached for a red card, blatently ignoring the recent IRB directive on dangerous tackles and the importance of such a decision in the game and the tournament as a whole. "Ok, that was fairly brave of you, but I will have to check it in the book," said Peter, before disappearing to look it up. When he came back he said: "Sorry, there's no record of this. Can you help me to trace it? When did all this happen?" The ref looked at his watch and replied: " One hour ago."
I think you will find their real chance went with that Rolland decision after just 18 minutes, however I agree they still had their chances despite the supposedly insurmountable odds. You cannot blame any Welsh player for not winning, it was amazing and to the whole teams credit they took it so close.
I cannot comprehend how a referee who is half French was appointed to ref a semi final involving FRANCE! At this level things like this should not be happening! I feel like we were robbed today, and I am a broken man! All because of a shocking decision and a couple of inches (conversion that hit the post). Small margins ey! Good luck to the French in the final! ...... - did I say that???? I mean good luck to whoever plays France in the final, I hope you absolutely destroy Les Blues as they don't deserve to be in the final and have played no good rugby this tournament !!
So an Irish ref with a French father makes a decision that sends France to the final at the expense of the team that beat Ireland! Gotta love impartiality!
Got to love people on messageboards talking rubbish about a referee's supposed bias. Whatever you think of the decision, to say there was anything more sinister afoot is absurd.
lol, Stick to your football lads, ye don't have a clue.. Red card all day, every day... Nobody complained when he was a ref in other games whjich France were involved in too...
A few times and I have seen red for tackles that appear less dangerous... Read this.. please log in to view this image
He wasnt speared into the ground the welshman let go and didnt propel him to the ground ! gravity did that ! originally a spear tackle was when you were helped up ...and down and landed on your head! The red card was an overreaction and a wrong decision ! IMO The ruling against spear tackles was only bought in after the last world cup where a player was seriously hurt! This frenchman got up and played on! a penalty and a sin binning would have been the correct decision!
Glad that France got through though , Now the time has come to lay the ghost of 2007 once and for all and break french hearts COME ON THE KIWIS!
Sorry to disagree but you've let emotion get ahead of yourself. To quote the IRB.... AUCKLAND, 16 Oct. - The International Rugby Board has issued a statement of clarification regarding the Tip or Spear tackle. Law 10.4(j) reads: Lifting a player from the ground and dropping or driving that player into the ground whilst that playerâs feet are still off the ground such that the playerâs head and/or upper body come into contact with the ground is dangerous play. A directive was issued to all Unions and Match Officials in 2009 emphasizing the IRBâs zero-tolerance stance towards dangerous tackles and reiterating the following instructions for referees: - The player is lifted and then forced or âspearedâ into the ground (red card offence) - The lifted player is dropped to the ground from a height with no regard to the playerâs safety (red card offence) - For all other types of dangerous lifting tackles a yellow card or penalty may be considered sufficient Regular directives to Unions, Match Officials and Judicial Officers have been issued to reinforce the IRBâs zero-tolerance stance regarding dangerous tackles and the promotion of player welfare. The policy was again reiterated to team officials at a Team Managers seminar in Auckland two weeks before the start of Rugby World Cup and during the Tournament and there have been a number of other Tip Tackle cases at Rugby World Cup 2011. IRB In closing a lot of decisions by the referee can been seen "as objective" as many times more than one offensive has been committed for example at the break down. This is what makes Union unique & frustrating to watch! A wise friend you no longer referees at the VERY highest level has often told those who will listen to get along to the local Union & sign up to be a referee & give back something to the next generation!
Wales captain Warburton banned for three weeks AUCKLAND, Oct 16 (Reuters) - Welsh captain Sam Warburton was banned for three weeks on Sunday for the dangerous tackle that earned him a red card in Wales's rugby World Cup semi-final defeat to France. The 23-year-old was dismissed by referee Alain Rolland for the tackle on winger Vincent Clerc inside the first quarter of Saturday's match at Eden Park, which the French edged 9-8 despite a brave performance from the Welsh. Warburton, who has 48 hours to appeal, was handed the punishment after a disciplinary hearing and will miss Friday's third and fourth place playoff against Australia who on Sunday lost to New Zealand in their semi-final. "The independent judicial officer ... determined the ordering off to be appropriate in law and the action in line with IRB directives," read a statement issued by tournament organisers. Warburton admitted the offence, the statement added, and had avoided a more lengthy ban because of mitigating circumstances, including his "outstanding character, disciplinary record and remorse". NO MALICE Wales coach Warren Gatland and many of his team had condemned the dismissal as excessive for a tackle Warburton maintained was not malicious, suggesting that a yellow card and 10 minutes in the sin-bin would have been more appropriate. Spear or tip tackling, where a player lifts an opponent into the air and returns them to the ground head first, is outlawed because of the potential for head injuries. The governing International Rugby Board (IRB) issued a statement on Sunday reiterating their "zero tolerance" on dangerous tackles. Wales defence coach Shaun Edwards told reporters on Sunday he felt consideration should be given to intent in such matters. "It was not deliberate what Sam did," he said. "I have seen it deliberate where you put your hand underneath, lift him and spin him, and I have had it done to myself and it is horrible. "You know it is deliberate when you see someone put the hand underneath the crotch and spin him around and drop him to the floor and basically follow on yourself." ROLLAND GETS BACKING Edwards said Warburton's size and strength had caused the tackle to look worse than it was. "With Sam, it was a dominant hit as you expect. He was much more powerful than the guy he tackled and he ended up in a position that got him sent off. I am not sure if the rest of the officials thought the same way," said Edwards. IRB Referees Manager Paddy O'Brien later gave Rolland his full backing. "(The decision) was absolutely correct in law and in keeping with the clear instructions that match officials have received in recent years regarding dangerous tackling," O'Brien said in a statement. "Alain is a highly experienced referee and had a clear view of the incident, which enabled him to make an accurate and instant decision. "Player welfare is paramount and unions, teams and match officials are all aware of the responsibility to eradicate dangerous play." Welsh Rugby Union Group Chief Executive Roger Lewis said the body "respects the process which has been followed and understands the disciplinary procedures in place. "The WRU further wishes to state its unequivocal support for Sam Warburton as a role model and exemplary captain who has led Wales to formidable success in the competition so far." The playoff between the losers of the two semi-finals, which will take place on Friday, is usually a match which has little appeal for fans and players alike. Having exceeded expectations with their run to the semi-finals, however, many of the Wales players said they would be taking the game very seriously, while Warburton said his focus this week would be to support his team from the sidelines.
Yes, we all know about this directive. We also know that Rolland desperately wants the final. IMO, Warburton's tackle certainly was not deliberate spearing. The referee acted far too hastily (probably trying to curry favour with the IRB) I still cannot accept that that tackle was worthy of a straight Red card. There are far worse things that happen in the game, most of them deliberate, that go unpunished.
The regulations state that if a player tackles an opponent and lifts her off the ground, he's guilty of serious foul play unless she helps him to the ground again. Warberz clearly failed to do this, so .... I can't believe the number of Welsh whiners! I thought all those gits had been closed down long ago! Listen bach, don't moan at me. YOU screwed up, not the rest of the world.
