Cape Argus E-dition

Lions captain sidesteps questions on ‘Rassiegate’

MIKE GREENAWAY

BRITISH and Irish Lions captain Alun Wyn Jones did not bat an eyelid when he was asked to comment on the “Rassiegate” saga that has exploded across the rugby globe on the eve of his team’s seismic second Test against the Springboks in Cape Town.

Never in a hundred years was the most capped international rugby player of all time going to give an inch of any perceived moral high ground the Lions hold on an issue that has rocked the game, with Erasmus coming in for some stinging overseas criticism, notably from Australia, the home of last week’s referee Nic Berry. “To be honest, I’m not long back from training … I’ve heard a little bit about it but I haven’t seen anything,” said a deadpan Jones, who has been capped 148 times for Wales and on 10 occasions for the Lions.

“As I’m sure you’re aware, I’ve got a bit more to focus on between the white lines and that’s been my focus,” he added.

When asked if he thought Erasmus’ video assassination of the first Test officials was a thinly-veiled attempt to put pressure on this week’s officials, he diverted the question to Director of SA Rugby, Erasmus.

“I don’t know, I think that’s a question you’d have to ask him.”

And when pressed on whether the video would in any case crank up the pressure on the officials — the same group from the first Test are on duty in the second (and also the third) — Jones was once more non-committal.

“I don’t know, I think that’s a question you’d have to ask the officials,” the 35-year-old said.

Jones himself came under scrutiny in Erasmus’ 26-point thesis on unfairness against the Springboks. Erasmus alleged that the referee and touch judges on occasions disrespectfully shooed Kolisi away when he wanted to ask questions while having all the time in the world for Jones. Unsurprisingly, the Welshman sees it differently.

“Again, it’s probably a question for the officials. In the heat of the moment it didn’t really feel as if we had an advantage because a lot of the time I was standing there next to Siya when we were speaking to the ref. So that’s an outside perception that I can’t really comment on.”

There was some defence from Jones for the match officials because the pace at which the game is played accelerates with each passing season.

“I just think the game has changed and it does get difficult for players the way the speed of the game is going, the ball is in play for much longer, and I think sometimes the refs have the hardest job in the game by being in the middle of all that.

“They obviously have assistance and you have a TMO and I think more than ever decisions are being focused on but it’s always been the way. I think referees have always been scrutinised, I just think it’s in vogue at the moment and obviously it’s been highlighted by some this past week.”

SPORT

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2021-07-31T07:00:00.0000000Z

2021-07-31T07:00:00.0000000Z

http://capeargus.pressreader.com/article/281805696969220

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