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The Bulls support Jacques van Rooyen and referee AJ Jacobs during the Currie Cup match between Western Province and the Blue Bulls in Newlands on November 28, 2020.
Ashley Vlotman / Gallo Images
- Bulls mentor Jake White feels the red card awarded to mainstay Jacques van Rooyen at Newlands “was not justifiable.”
- Van Rooyen received his marching orders for a dangerous blow on WP Warrick Gelant’s fullback, but the Bulls still managed to win 22-20.
- White’s counterpart John Dobson admits he was “a little surprised” that a red card was dealt.
Bull Rugby Director Jake white feel the red card given to the support Jacques van rooyen in the second half of the Currie Cup, the clash against Western Province in Newlands was tough.
A big talking point of the game came in the 47th minute when loose-headed prop Van Rooyen received a red card for a dangerous tackle on WP Warrick Gelant’s fullback.
Television match official Rasta Rasivhenge initially suggested a yellow card, but referee AJ Jacobs overturned the decision, saying there were no mitigating factors as Van Rooyen’s strike was high, armless and late.
Despite playing more than 30 minutes with just 14 men, the Bulls beat the odds to clinch a 22-20 last-gasp victory.
White, however, disagreed with the decision to fire Van Rooyen.
“I heard the comment and all of a sudden they turned it off. It seemed strange to me because we always have access to communication between everyone in the field. It was almost as if they disagreed with each other on whether it was a red or a yellow [card] or a penalty, “White told reporters at a virtual press conference after the game.
“And then when it was red, I thought ‘God, that’s a little weird.’ Usually, if someone has doubts, I think the doubt will go to the player.”
White noted that WP Gelant’s fullback was unscathed from the hit.
“I don’t think it was justifiable as a red card. Warrick Gelant got up and kept playing, he didn’t even hit his head, he hit him on the shoulder.”
White noted that Jacobs was a highly skilled referee and mentioned that the pressure cooker of a great north-south derby was not an easy environment to officiate.
“AJ is quite highly rated, he works closely with Jaco Peyper (SA’s head referee) in Bloemfontein. He is considered one of the referees they see as a possible future test referee.
“It’s difficult for a man to learn everything … he must also have felt under pressure at the end of the game.”
Meanwhile, White’s counterpart, John dobson, called the red card decision a current “gray area” in the game.
He referred to Saturday’s Tri Nations meeting between New Zealand and Argentina in Newcastle when All Blacks mainstay Tyrel Lomax received just a yellow card for an arm to the head of an Argentine defender.
“I think we are back in a bit of a gray area with those situations. At the end of the Argentina-All Blacks game this morning there was a red card in my mind that was only given as yellow. That probably could have been worse than what happened today.
“I think we’re loafing overall, finding a lot of mitigating factors like this morning’s game … those injuries can be devastating. But if that’s going to apply universally, it’s a red card, so great,” Dobson said.
However, Dobson admitted that he was surprised to have seen Van Rooyen sent off.
“But with the context of what rugby is like at the moment, I was probably a bit surprised that it was a red card, but they did go through their checklist, we could hear them go over their checklist … but if it happened to us, yes, I would probably have been disappointed that it was red, but I would have accepted it as well. “
While Dobson was bitterly disappointed that his team missed a golden opportunity to beat the Bulls, White was understandably happy to win with one less man.
“That shows a lot of character, playing Province with 14 men for 35 minutes … to get a result like that, obviously any coach would be extremely proud. It’s the last time we played at Newlands and it’s a win that will be on the bench. memory for all, “White said.
