France blast Rugby World Cup referee while Fiji claim 'bias' after England loss

16 October 2023 , 10:42

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France captain Antoine Dupont (Image: Jean Catuffe/Getty Images)

Both France and Fiji have taken aim at the standard of refereeing at the Rugby World Cup following their quarter-final defeats.

Fiji captain Waisea Nayacalevu and France skipper Antoine Dupont both questioned the officials after their games on Sunday, with Nayacalevu agreeing with Samoa's claim that there is an 'unconscious bias against tier two sides'. Dupont also stated that the 'level of refereeing was not up the level of the game'.

Hosts France were eliminated after a narrow 29-28 defeat to defending champions South Africa and when asked about referee Ben O'Keefe's performance, Dupont replied: "Well, what did you think of it?

"It's hard to talk about things because there is a lot of disappointment, a lot of frustration. There were a few clear things where the whistle wasn't blown. 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."

Fiji, meanwhile, lost 30-24 to England and Nayacalevu admitted he was left "frustrated" by the performance of referee Mathieu Raynal. "Yeah, I'll be honest. I was frustrated with a few calls," he said.

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"They had already formed a ruck and then (Maro) Itoje just came in and grabbed onto the ball and there was no penalty there. Three times in the game." Samoa head coach Seilala Mapusua suggested after his side's loss to England in the group stage that "referees have an unconscious bias when tier two sides play tier one sides" and Nayacalevu agrees.

When asked about Mapusua's comments, he simply replied: "Absolutely. You guys watched the game, you guys can answer that." Fiji's head coach Simon Raiwalui, however, gave a much more diplomatic response when asked about Raynal's performance.

Fiji skipper Waisea Nayacalevu believes referees have an unconscious bias (Getty Images)

"There are obviously decisions where they go 50-50," he said. "The referees do a brilliant job, it's the hardest position and you're isolated. Sure, there's things that you contest, there's things that maybe you don't agree on, but first things first we had opportunities to score, we had opportunities to win the game.

"We're a huge supporter of every facet of the game and that includes refereeing. They do a wonderful job. They don't go out there to pick a team and have their favourites. Sometimes there's mistakes, sometimes the rub of the green doesn't go your way. It is important that we support them and not isolate them. I'm very appreciative of everything they do."

South Africa and England are now set to meet in the semi-finals on Saturday, with Argentina and New Zealand facing off in the other semi-final on Friday. The World Cup final will then take place on October 28 at the Stade de France.

Matthew Cooper