Nayacalevu Frustrated by Referee

Flying Fijians captain Waisea Nayacalevu did not hide his frustration when he blasted the refereeing by France’s Mathieu Raynal against England during the Rugby World Cup third quarterfinal yesterday morning.

The Fijians narrowly lost although they outscored England by three tries to two; 30-24 in Marseille after England captain Owen Farrell kicked 20 points, including five penalties.

Taking into account Fijian wing Vinaya Habosi who was sin-binned in the first half for a head-on-head

contact with Marcus Smith, Nayacalevu was more annoyed about the refereeing decisions in the breakdown made by Raynal.

“A few calls didn’t go our way. We’re just fighting, I just ask that we can have a fair decision when the team plays,” Nayacalevu told reporters at the after match press interview.

“Already the ruck was formed and (England’s Maro) Itoje just came in and grabbed the ball - three times in the game,” he stressed.

Fittingly, the contest ended in the 86th minute when Raynal, picked up a ruck infringement from Fiji prop Mesake Doge.

When asked whether he thought that showed there was in the mind of referees an unconscious bias that favoured the bigger teams, like England, Nayacalevu was unequivocal.

“Absolutely! You guys watched the game, you guys can answer that,” he told reporters.

“It kills the momentum of our game, of what we want to play, if you know what I mean.”

Nayacalevu’s fury doubled down on Samoa’s claim last week that Pacific Island nations were refereed differently to other countries.

Nayacalevu agreed with Samoa coach Seilala Mapusua and captain Michael Alaalatoa, who made a similar suggestion after their 18-17 pool match loss to England in Lille.

Former Samoa national rep Mapusua said: “Referees are guilty of “unconscious bias” against tier two

nations.”

This after Samoa was penalised 14 times to England’s nine. Samoa also had centre Tumua Manu yellow-carded in the 66th minute of the match, a 10-minute spell which saw England clinch the match-winning score through Danny Care.

Mapusua said: “Maybe referees need more time with referees.

“I believe there is (unconscious bias). I believe there has been in the past. I don’t think it’s anyone’s fault; it’s what I’ve seen in our game for I don’t know how many years; since I was playing.”

“From what I’ve seen, from all Pacific Nations, when they’ve played games,” Alaalatoa said.

“You need to make the most of every opportunity to get an outcome. If you don’t, it’s going to cost you. I’d say yes (there is unconscious bias),”

Fiji coach Simon Raiwalui refused to blame Raynal, though, and said his team had failed to take their

chances.

Feedback: karalaini.waqanidrola@fijisun.com.fj