A reffing shambles: World Cup winner Martin Johnson slams ‘appalling’ French official Pascal Gauzere after Wales beat England in the Six Nations
Martin Johnson branded French referee Pascal Gauzere ‘appalling’ after an ill-disciplined England crashed to a dismal 40-24 Six Nations defeat against Wales in Cardiff.
England were raging over the two controversial try decisions which went against them as Wales stormed to Triple Crown glory.
And World Cup-winning captain Johnson did not pull any punches, saying: ‘It is probably the most controversial half of rugby I can remember in the Six Nations.’
Referee Pascal Gauzere should hold his hands up to making mistakes, insists Martin Johnson
England hero Johnson said the Frenchman had overseen the most controversial half in memory
But while England were fuming over big calls not going their way, Eddie Jones’ men had only themselves to blame conceding 14 penalties in yet another indisciplined performance.
Johnson admitted to being ‘speechless’ as Gauzere first allowed Josh Adams to score from a quickly taken penalty, while
Owen Farrell, on the say-so of the French official, was ticking off his own players for giving away too many penalties.
And Wales’ second try was just as hotly disputed, the TMO awarding Liam Williams his score even though Louis Rees-Zammit had appeared to knock on earlier in the move.
On the first incident, Johnson said: ‘That’s appalling refereeing. His wingers have come in 30 yards to be part of the conversation and were given two seconds to be 30 yards back out on the wing.
‘It’s great for Wales but as a referee you’re thinking ‘I’ve totally disadvantaged one team’.’
And Johnson was not alone in his thinking. with fellow BBC studio guest Sam Warburton, the former Wales and Lions captain, also believing that England had been hard done by.
‘I would be fuming if I was Owen Farrell,’ he said. ‘If you have been told to speak to your team, you would expect time off. You cannot respond within half a second of saying time back on when you are in the middle of a conversation with your team. I would be livid if I was Owen Farrell and England.’
Gauzere was responsible for a succession of controversial decisions as England lost to Wales
And Johnson was just as angry with Gauzere’s decision to award Wales their second try, saying: ‘Anyone watching that, everyone who has played rugby around the world, will say that’s a knock-on.’
While England were upset at the outcome of the game’s big calls, yet again they were their own worst enemies conceding 14 penalties.Maro Itoje topped the hall of shame giving away five penalties. England, who have now lost two of their three matches after Calcutta Cup humiliation at Twickenham three weeks ago, have conceded more penalties in the competition than any other team.
Jones said Itoje will ‘learn from that’ but also hinted that Gauzere had sabotaged England’s hopes. ‘It is what it is,’ said Jones.
‘We can’t argue with the referee. Maybe there were tough calls but we’ve got to be good enough to overcome that. Wales were worthy winners.’
Wales coach Wayne Pivac believes England should consider themselves lucky they did not see a yellow card or two, especially Itoje who gave away five penalties.
‘When you gave away that many penalties — one player five penalties — you are lucky not to concede a yellow.’