Ex-England captain offers theory after 'grotesque' Rugby World Cup ref slammed

11 September 2023 , 15:03

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Former England captain Dylan Hartley (Image: Getty Images)

Dylan Hartley has weighed in after referee Matthew Carley came in for more criticism over his performance in Wales' thrilling 32-26 win over Fiji at the Rugby World Cup.

There was major controversy over Carley's decision-making, with Fiji's coach Simon Raiwalui questioning the fact Wales conceded several second-half penalties yet did not have a player yellow carded for persistent offending. He stopped short of openly criticising the referee, but spoke about wanting to see 'consistency' from officials.

"It's pretty tough to talk when you are hot after the match," Raiwalui said. "I did think when we were down in the corner, we had multiple penalties and could have been multiple more and we didn't get a yellow card [given against Wales].

"The referees have got a tough job, I respect what they do. As a coach, you are looking for that consistency. There were a couple of occasions where we thought we didn't get the rub of the green."

Several ex-players did not hold back in their assessment of the referee, with former Scotland star Ruaridh Jackson writing on social media: "Gutted for Fiji, Wales can thank Carley for that one. How they didn’t have more people in the bin was a joke."

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"If there was s one question post Wales v Fiji, I'd love to understand why Wales got so may warnings after repeated infringements and Fiji had 1 infringement and an imidiate yellow.?" added ex-England captain Lewis Moody. While his former England teammate Andy Goode wrote: "Is Matt Carley secretly Welsh? Feel for Fiji".

TV presenter and rugby fan Nick Knowles branded Carley's performance 'grotesque', writing: "This is looking worse than bad officiating - I don’t even want to say it out loud. This officiating is an absolute disgrace and World Rugby owes Fiji an apology and this officiating team need censuring in some way. This is supposed to be a showcase but it’s grotesque."

Referee Matthew Carley has been slammed over his performance in the Rugby World Cup match between Wales and Fiji (Adam Pretty - World Rugby/World Rugby via Getty Images)

And Hartley, who made 97 appearances for England between 2008 and 2018, suggested 'natural Fijian respect' played a role in the way he refereed and that they should have 'pressed, reminded, questioned and leant on' Carley.

"Natural Fijian respect and humility meant ref wasn't pressed, reminded, questioned, leant on and ultimately held accountable," Hartley wrote. Former Samoan international Daniel Leo, who played Premiership rugby for London Irish, responded to a similar post from a fan who suggested teams need to 'play the ref' and that Fiji did not 'lean on him or pressure him enough'.

"Interesting post," Leo replied. "A sad day when our Pacific values of honour, respect and humility are no longer compatible with winning professional rugby games. Whinging, questioning every decision and swearing at your own team mates seeming to pay dividends."

Matthew Cooper