Ex-ref boss calls for ‘leadership’ from World Rugby after ‘brutally dangerous’ Lood de Jager ‘cheap shot’

Former referee boss Owen Doyle has called on World Rugby to come out in support of Angus Gardner following Lood de Jager’s dismissal at the weekend.

The Springboks second-row was issued a permanent red card just before half-time in the game on Saturday when his shoulder connected with the head of France’s Thomas Ramos.

Although the visitors went on to claim a stunning 32-17 triumph in Saint-Denis, there has been an outcry in South Africa over the decision to give him a straight red rather than sending it to the bunker.

Doyle felt the correct call was made, however, and that it was the influence from the northern hemisphere officials which helped Australian referee Gardner come to the correct conclusion.

“De jagers action certainly merited the dismissal. However, getting consistency in the interpretation of those words – particularly ‘intentional’ – across the two hemispheres will not be easy,” he wrote in his Irish times column.

There has always been immense, nearly intolerable pressure, from coaches, commentators and pundits down south that the straight red should only be utilised for egregious acts. That is unlikely to change, making things very difficult for the officials.

“While I agree completely with Gardner’s decision, it did seem to follow advice received from his on-pitch assistants and the TMO, all of whom were from the north.

“Initially, it seemed as though the referee would send the offence to the bunker, where the maximum penalty is the 20-minute replacement red.”

Doyle therefore feels World Rugby need to step in and support their officials following the debate surrounding the red card.

There has been a hue and cry about this card in South Africa and elsewhere down south. Leadership is needed on this from World Rugby,” he added.

“It can take the shape of a clear, unequivocal statement that it was correct not to go to the bunker – that the issuing of a red card was appropriate.”

Doyle also criticised the actions of De Jager. While there has been claims that the height of Ramos – the Frenchman was low to the ground – should have been enough to mitigate it down, the Irishman disagreed.

‘Not just a cheap shot’

“It was not just a cheap shot; De Jager had a clear line of sight from a long way out. His action was brutally dangerous with no mitigation to be found,” he wrote

There are plenty of people who claim Ramos was so low that De Jager had no other option. This viewpoint doesn’t come close to cutting the mustard.

“If it was the only option – which it wasn’t – the choice to pull the trigger should never have been taken.”

The former Test referee does believe that France have questions to answer, however, particularly with Ramos staying on the field after the heavy hit.

“There are others who tell us that as Ramos did not need a head injury assessment (HIA), the foul play was not so serious. As if that fact is somehow relevant to the decision,” he added.

“Do those who peddle this reasoning really believe that the level of injury should dictate the punishment? It would certainly make for a very interesting sanction chart.

However, given the severity of the hit, a HIA for Ramos would certainly have been appropriate. France need to explain why it didn’t happen.”