Mitchell in trouble over ref slam

[travelling_gerry]

Wayne Smith | May 14, 2009

Article from: The Australian

WESTERN Force coach John Mitchell is being investigated by SANZAR over comments he made to The Australian about South African referee Marius Jonker following his side's loss to the Stormers last weekend.

The Force's dramatic late charge to the Super 14 playoffs ground to a halt when the Stormers edged out the Perth club 25-24 in Cape Town on Sunday (AEST). It was a result that hinged on a Jonker non-decision when Stormers centre Dylan des Fountain knocked over his Force opposite number Ryan Cross to stop him making a tackle on fullback Joe Pietersen. As a result, Pietersen motored through the undefended gap, linked with winger Gcobani Bobo and then accepted the return infield pass to score the Stormers' final try.

Matt Giteau answered with a try of his own, with five-minutes remaining, but the Force was unable to then wipe out the smallest of deficits. Afterwards Mitchell told The Australian Jonker should face disciplinary action for failing to act on such a crucial infringement. "That person shouldn't referee another Super 14 game or he should be disciplined or suffer some consequence," Mitchell said. "That is not acceptable at this level of football. It really needs to be looked into. It shouldn't just be swept under the carpet."

The comments have landed Mitchell in hot water, with SANZAR tournament director Johan Botes confirming to the South African media he has written to the Australian Rugby Union asking for "clarity" over the remarks.

South African referees boss Andre Watson dismissed Mitchell's outburst as "absurd", claiming referees, like players, made mistakes.

Jonker acknowledged in a phone call to Mitchell after watching a video replay of the incident that there had indeed been obstruction, claiming his view of it had been blocked.

However, he denied the report in The Australian on Tuesday that he had apologised to Mitchell over the incident.

As a result of the defeat, the Force cannot qualify for the playoffs, irrespective of the result of its clash with the Highlanders in Perth on Saturday. The only real significance the match has is that it will mark winger Scott Staniforth's 100th Super rugby appearance.

http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au...015651,00.html

[Scotty]

Mitch is cleaning up, we won the Aussie Triple Slam and he wants to top it off with a Ref Slam.

That's the spirit!

[Fullback]

I knew this was coming..

Hopefully his comments has some influence though and Jonker will be looked at.

[AndyS]

It pretty much guarantees that Jonker won't be looked at - true or not, any action taken now would appear to be because JM made comment and would therefore encourage everyone to bitch...no way they will risk that.

[Fullback]

It pretty much guarantees that Jonker won't be looked at - true or not, any action taken now would appear to be because JM made comment and would therefore encourage everyone to bitch...no way they will risk that.

Yeah. True that.