JUST IN:Ex-ref boss slams South African official after ‘disgraceful’ Dan Sheehan ‘cheap shot’ is missed

Owen Doyle has slammed the performance of the officials in the final game between the Wallabies and British and Irish Lions, taking aim at South African TMO Maruis Jonker.

A former Test referee and director of referees at the Irish Rugby Football Union, Doyle took issue with Jonker’s failure to raise Dan Sheehan’s ugly clear-out on Tom Lynagh with Nika Amashukeli and his team.

Sheehan was cited and subsequently banned for his actions, but the hooker believed that his actions did not warrant a citation. He was handed a four-week ban, reduced by one upon completion of World Rugby’s coaching intervention program, but Doyle believes that the sanction was still too light.

Additionally, the former official believes that World Rugby should break their silence over the controversial calls in the Lions series.

Jonker needed to be better

However, Sheehan’s breakdown entry was not the only non-decision that the ex-referee took exception to, as he pointed to a ‘typical Owen Farrell hit’.

“Sheehan, inexcusably, had a real go at the prone Tom Lynagh,” Doyle wrote in his Irish Times column.

“It was an unworthy and disgraceful cheap shot. In marked contrast to Jac Morgan last week, the Lions’ hooker entered the breakdown late, targeting his opponent with a very dangerous strike to the head. It was not picked up, a negative mark against the TMO, South Africa’s Marius Jonker.

“The TMO also called the referee’s attention to a completely innocuous incident, which Nika Amashukeli took but a moment to dismiss. A typical Farrell shoulder hit also went unseen; it’s been his trademark calling card for far too long. Jonker needed to be better.”

Doyle’s view on Sheehan’s actions are clear-cut, it should have been a red card, while he pondered whether such incidents are occurring following the introduction of the 20-minute red cards.

“Until recently, Sheehan would have received a straight red card. Under the global trial, it should have gone to the bunker for upgrading (or not) to the correct colour. At times like this we often hear the excuse of what else could the offending player have done. Well, if that was the player’s only option, he should have done nothing, and waited for play to develop. He would have been more useful elsewhere.”

With Lynagh being the victim of several heavy, illegal tackles recently, Doyle added: “It’s impossible not to think that the replacement red card is involved. Playing just an extra 10 minutes reduced to 14 players is a small price to pay if it gets rid of a key opponent.”

Sheehan’s suspension too light

Still, the former boss of Irish referees was left perplexed by the leniency of Sheehan’s suspension.

“Sheehan was correctly cited, although he didn’t think it was correct or that he had even committed an act of foul play. That viewpoint is as nonsensical as his dangerous action,” he continued.

“His non-acceptance of the charge resulted in a lost week of mitigation, and, subject to him completing a coaching intervention course, he will serve a meagre three-match ban, instead of a paltry two. Imagine the furore if Finn Russell had been forced off in similar circumstances, and the perpetrator denied any wrongdoing. The uproar would have been totally justified; as is Australian anger on this occasion.

“The suspension is once again too light. How often is it necessary to repeat the words – sub-concussive head knocks, concussion, dementia, chronic traumatic encephalopathy – before those sitting at the high table decide that deterrent-level sentences are necessary.

“It would be good to hear from World Rugby. So far, chief executive Alan Gilpin has indicated their support for Andrea Piardi in the second Test, but hasn’t told us whether Morgan’s clear out was judged correctly. It would be ridiculous if World Rugby got involved publicly in every controversial decision, but on this one we could all learn a lot if the silence was broken.”