It affected me: Bryce Lawrence
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Bryce Lawrence says his performance in last year's World Cup quarter-final was influenced by complaints from ARU chief executive John O'Neill.
Retired ref Lawrence claims he was hounded out of rugby by South Africa and Australia following his showing in the Springboks and Wallabies match.
"I had four really good games at the World Cup and then I had that," the 41-year-old told the Bay Of Plenty Times.
"There was some pretty nasty political stuff going on about that appointment. I refereed Australia versus Ireland and Ireland had won but behind the scenes guys like John O'Neill were kicking up a massive stink.
"I knew a bit about that and it was enough to affect me, and it probably made me freeze on the biggest stage."
Australia won the game 11-9 which has now led to Lawrence calling it quits and taking up a role as the New Zealand Rugby Union high-performance referee reviewer. He was stood down from the International Rugby Board's elite panel after the World Cup and didn't referee any Super Rugby matches in South Africa.
"It (the reaction) got pretty bad," Lawrence said.
"On Facebook they launched a 'get rid of Bryce Lawrence' site and it was pretty nasty.
"That was absolutely the reason for my career change.
"I got told at the end of the World Cup that I would have a break from Test rugby for the Six Nations and I could totally accept that as there has to be a consequence for poor performance.
"I was told I would be brought back in the middle of this year, as I was ranked in the top three or four referees in the world. But because of the political reaction from rugby unions like Australia and South Africa behind the scenes, they dropped me."
Last month, British & Irish Lions boss Warren Gatland highlighted the pressure Lawrence had been placed under by O'Neill as he outlined the challenges that await his squad.
"They are masters at it and possibly the best one was John O'Neill, as a master of influence in certain things," said 2013 touring coach Gatland.
"I'm not 100% sure, but I think that after Ireland beat Australia in that pool game, certain complaints were made about the referee (Lawrence), subtly and tactfully, and I think that had an impact on the quarter-final.
"We've got to be aware about what sort of things are going to be done on and off the field."
O'Neill is on his way out of his post at the ARU to focus on business interests outside rugby.
Comments
7ton says...
bokavenger
So do you think the 1995 WC should be declared null and void as well especially considering the refs performance in the semi between SA and France?
Also how do you account for the fact that in 2011 Australia were seen as a bigger threat than SA to the AB's?
Philipjfry
Interested in your opinion of "non refereeing" in the 2007 1/4 final in Cardiff especially re the penalty count.
Posted 10:04 17th October 2012
Carpelone says...
New Zealand Rugby Union high-performance referee reviewer??
He does nothing all day, then.
Now I am even happier than before that baboon O'Neill quitted.
Posted 09:44 17th October 2012
gungehammer says...
Surprise surprise - when the pressure comes on Ref's prefer not to make calls rather than whistle. We've seen it time and time again, Barnes, Lawrence, Joubert. The team that wins these games is the one who recognises that and takes advantage of it.
The reason Lawrence is moving to another job while Barnes and Joubert continue lies solely in the disgraceful behaviour of the Bok supporters. Yes NZ kicked up a fuss about Barnes, but since then he's been welcomed to NZ to do his job.
Posted 09:13 17th October 2012
startledwombat says...
@BokAvenger - (yes, this time I will stoop to feeding the trolls)
Gosh, that chappie John O'Neill's a good operator! Doing the ref's head in before a big game, is so much subtler than handing out a gold watch after the game!
Class.
Not boorish.
Such a shame that O'Neill couldn't take the Wallabies all the way to the final. And that the world rankings for the top 3 teams haven't really shifted since the World Cup, maybe we should give some credit to the way each team plays too. In fact, maybe this stuff doesn't make any difference at all.
Indeed, I've just seen the most recent game where the All Blacks convincingly beat South Africa. At height. In the Johannesburg cauldron. So stop fussing, all that is under discussion here is a semifinal or final that the Springboks would have lost anyway. To think anything else is delusional. Because what we saw in Johannesburg is what the All Blacks are like when they have a few games under their belt, such as at the end of a World Cup campaign.
At least John O'Neill will still be on the international rules and referees committees so he can further the cause of our great game. Rugby needs good administrative talent, this is something all my South African friends go to great lengths to tell me, over and over again, somewhat ruefully and particularly after they've had a few drinks.
Posted 09:04 17th October 2012
ben7 says...
@BokAvenger
Im pretty sure Luke Donald is a golfer dude
Posted 08:32 17th October 2012
damo says...
Joubert is worst ref ever, Scottish lad who gifted Wales tge win vs Ireland missing the ball going into the crowd is second. Dopey blonde English ref hasnt a clue 3 rd.
Posted 08:16 17th October 2012
oceansnz says...
@BokAvenger
Dude, you have way too much emotion invested in this situation.
Posted 07:57 17th October 2012
oceansnz says...
Sadly, too much drama is being created outside the 80mins of each game these days.
And, too much attention is being paid to these little drama's. Referee's will never be perfect - get over it!
Lets stick to focusing on the actual "rugby" that gets played.
Posted 07:33 17th October 2012
BokAvenger says...
The 2011 Rigged World Cup should be declared null and void. The next person who needs to come clean is Paddy O'Brien
Posted 07:01 17th October 2012
BokAvenger says...
@PhilipJFry - No Bok supporter has ever said the Boks had a right to win that game. What we've said is that the difference between SA and Aus was Bryce Lawrence because he certainly reffed us out of contention.
As for Craig Joubert, I agree with you 100%. I think he reffed France right out of that final and I have absolutely no doubt it was due to political influence from the IRB who had decided beforehand that their precious marketing gimmick, the All Blacks, had to win at all costs. Even the touch judge awarded Luke Donald's kick when he had blatantly missed it. IRB IS AS CROOKED AS LANCE ARMSTRONG. Rugby is rotten and everyone is too blind to see it or too stupid to admit it.
Posted 06:59 17th October 2012
BokAvenger says...
The IRB should just appoint Lance Armstrong as its president. They're all so crooked they probably pray under nom de plumes. THE WHOLE GAME'S RIGGED!
Posted 06:52 17th October 2012
rugby_lord says...
Hahaha, this proves what I have been telling everyone all along. When money is involved, all bets are off. These WCs are a waste of time. the IRB decides who wins. How could Australia beat SA in the quarter final is unbelievable. SA having 76% territory and 50 something % possession. No team is that good, certainly not a young and inexperienced team like Australia. I am not a SA fan but just disappointed that it robbed us of a dream semi of NZ and SA.
Posted 06:18 17th October 2012
jonesrp says...
Well the good news is that O`Neill is off soon...No World Cup Johnny...no glory.
Posted 06:12 17th October 2012
wooden_spoon says...
shame - what a wimp
Posted 06:02 17th October 2012
jmanngod says...
It was a poor performance - but hardly on the same level as that of the dreadfully inexperienced Wayne Barnes in 2007. In Lawrence's case the better team won on the day despite his failings. Can't say I'm disappointed to see him go - but there isn't much out there right now at a level good enough for the top 8 teams to be frank.
Posted 05:06 17th October 2012
tweedledee49 says...
Brace yourselves,,,,they're coming...
Posted 02:21 17th October 2012
SACanuck says...
Well that explains a few things, but how come the AB's won the following week?
Posted 00:42 17th October 2012
kiwilad says...
Dont stress Bryce, John I ate all the Pies Oneill has had the squeeze as well
Posted 00:38 17th October 2012
rugbyforever says...
What an admission!!!
Posted 00:00 17th October 2012
flyman says...
Ooops, that was meant to be prominent :-)
Posted 23:09 16th October 2012