A stinging criticism of Nigel Owens’ match officiating.
Referees often find themselves in the position of being public enemy number one for both sets of fans. One needs a tough skin to call the big moments, keep playing ticking and stay out of the spotlight at the same time.
Welsh referee Owens found himself in a maelstrom, in Paris, on Saturday night. Ireland and France went toe-to-toe for 83 minutes and there were plenty of calls to debate.
In the end, Owens was vindicated after some controversial Head Injury Assessments in the game – that fell at the door of the independent match doctor – but he still copped flak from fans on both sides, pundits and from Kevin McLaughlin on The Hard Yards podcast.
The former Leinster and Ireland star felt France were beyond cynical in slowing the ball down, during their 15-13 loss, but were allowed to do so by Owens.
“I am going to keep going back to it,” he said, “but there should have been two penalties – very, very clear penalties – that should have been given [to Ireland] in injury time.”
When host Andy McGeady noted that Owens seemed reluctant to blow his whistle for a penalty in the closing minutes, McLaughlin declared:
“He’s guilty of refereeing the circumstance there and I think I really strong and the best referee in the world is there saying, ‘It doesn’t matter what the circumstances are he’s lying on top of the ball it’s now a 10-second ball. It’s a penalty.’
“And Nigel says [to Conor Murray], ‘Oh, you are looking for the penalty’. Of course you are, but it doesn’t matter because they are lying on the wrong side [of the ruck].”
“Owens doesn’t want to be that person be the centre of attention,” said former Munster star James Downey, who then argued that Wayne Barnes or retired ref Steve Walsh would have readily blown their whistle.
“Owens doesn’t want it to be about him. [His attitude is,] ‘It’s about the teams here. You sort it out yourselves.’“
McLaughlin disagreed and claimed Owens ‘loves the grandstand finish’.
McGeady stated that Owens is often looked upon as the referee sides want to have if they, and supporters, are looking for a nice, open game of rugby. McLaughlin argued that Owens’ reputation for being sparse with his whistle may have actually slowed the game up. He continued:
“Possibly he used to be [one of the best] but he’s gone downhill. I think that was really cemented, in my head, watching him at the weekend. I don’t think he has the ability to referee objectively at the moment, for some reason, in big games. And he’s great at club level… “
“I think the best referees are able to keep really cool and actually referee what’s happening,” he continued, “and at times, like I said, he refereed the circumstance and I think other referee would allow the game flow a lot better.”
