Rugby World Cup: Rolland in spotlight again

Rolland in spotlight again

Referee Alain Rolland has made several contentious decisions at this World Cup. Patrick McKendry of APNZ lists the top three.

1. Sam Warburton red card Wales v France semi-final

Rolland effectively ruined the game as a contest when sending off Wales captain Sam Warburton for a "tip-tackle" on France wing Vincent Clerc in the semi-final last night. Dangerous tackles have come under increased scrutiny from officials recently, and the IRB communications department was quick to remind media of the law this morning and also the fact that team managers had been briefed on it in the lead up to the tournament. Rolland may have applied the law correctly - albeit with unseemly haste according to many - and will be hoping to referee next week's final but unfortunately for him, the controversy surrounding his decision means he has very little chance of officiating in the tournament showpiece.

2. Maurie Fa'asavalu "non-try" for Samoa v Wales pool game

Wales were the beneficiaries of this decision by Rolland and it was Warburton's opposite, Samoa flanker Maurie Fa'asavalu in the middle of it all. With Wales holding a slender 6-3 after half an hour in Hamilton, Fa'asavalu made a charge for the try line, was tackled and placed the ball on the chalk. Rolland ruled a double movement and rather than Samoa going for an easy conversion to make it 10-6, Wales were clearing for touch. The law allows for the tackled player to place the ball anywhere as long as the action is immediate. Samoa captain Mahonri Schwalger asked Rolland to check with the television official but his request was refused. "I asked the ref to go to the TMO. That was pretty harsh. There were a few things the ref was pretty harsh on us with," Schwalger said. He added: "It might have been the turning point of the game. Some things you can't win. All we've got to do now is move on". Wales won the game 17-10.

3. Francois Trinh-Duc try for France v All Blacks pool game

With the All Blacks in control 32-10 with five minutes remaining at Eden Park, France went on attack and were awarded a penalty by Rolland 10m from the All Blacks' try line. Captain Richie McCaw, in his 100th test for the All Blacks, asked for clarification from Rolland and the referee was still talking when the French took a quick tap, put it through the hands and replacement Francois Trinh-Duc scored in the corner. Rolland seemed in two minds whether to award the try but up went the hand and the gap was closed to 32-17 thanks to a sideline conversion to Dimitri Yachvili. Sonny Bill Williams scored straight away to finish the night on a good note for New Zealand.