Rugby Referee Analysis: Angus Gardner | South Africa vs England Autumn Series 2022

World Rugby, you have got to stop this. How on earth do you explain the performances of Angus Gardner and Ben Whitehouse last night? Last night in the Springboks vs England game in the 2022 Autumn Nations Series we witnessed what happens when you put a incompetent ref and combine it with an equally incompetent TMO, the results were astonishing. The amount of mistakes and miscalls they made was incredible, I don't even know where to start.

Let's just start with the 2 tries. With the Kurt-Lee Arendse try, how was that try not reviewed? First off we have a clear case of blocking where Arendse changes his lane after seeing where the England chaser is, which blocks him just enough for Willemse to step outside and create a break. Then Willemse makes a very questionable pass that looked forward to me. So we've got 2 incidents that would've meant no try to SA, yet they didn't even officially review it. Angus asked the TMO to check it quickly and within 3 seconds Ben Whitehouse responded that it was okay. Such a big moment in the game, the TMO takes 3 seconds to award I try. I'm not convinced he even checked the replays. Even if we're only looking at the Willemse pass, you can see the direction of his hands are forward, and would explain why the pass looked forward. Yet, there was no review.

But let's skip ahead, let's look at Eben Etzebeth's try. Again, how on earth does that not get reviewed? Let's forget about the sealing off before the try, let's just focus on the try itself. The ball gets lost forward by Faf de Klerk, Eben is offside and off his feet, yet he picks the ball up despite being offside and off his feet, he then proceeds to score. There could've been 3 penalties against Eben but instead the ref didn't see any of it, same with the TMO. Now the question is, how on earth can Ben Whitehouse be a TMO if he clearly has no idea about the laws? What the hell.

The only good thing they did that entire game was the red card for Thomas du Toit, there was no defending that. It was a reckless tackle and they dealt with it correctly. But in saying that, then there were 2 other incidents where Bongi takes a shoulder to the head, he appeals to the ref, the ref shuts him down. Siya Kolisi then goes to the ref, tells him about it. And Angus just tells him he didn't see it, so unless the TMO says something he can't do it. Which is lies of course. Anyhow, then we have Ben Whitehouse doing nothing. He didn't event check it. Then there was also the last moment of the game where the England lock comes from the side of a ruck and lifts Jaden Hendrikse by his lower limb, and then flips him through the horizontal. Now this happens directly in front of the ref, and he ignores it. Only 30 seconds later after the AR tells him about it, he blows his whistle. Then to make it worse, they don't even check it on replay. It should've been a yellow at least, but they just did nothing.

This was probably one of the worst officiated games of the year. Games like this shows why Rassie did what he did. This can't continue. Eddie Jones should rather fight with Rassie than against him with this issue. Coaches seriously need to start working together and calling out World Rugby's protocols regarding match officials, else we're never going to see improvement

[andrewdstokes]

I challenged you on a previous vid to make your analysis unpartisan, and I see this time you did this. Big respect for the analysis - excellent work.

[ItsTomPearce]

Do you know what mate, fair fucks. Didn't think you were gonna make this one but you did. This is exactly the kind of unbiased video that could lead to change. Highlighting all the errors rather that one side's. Good work.

[georgefrederikoosthuizen]

As a sbok supporter i love this clips where not onesided it analized consistent mistakes thats what we begged for not for sboks to benefit and won games but for entire word rugby all teams..

[sonnikagreyling]

Thank you for showing both sides. Gives more insight and perspective and a better understanding of the rules. Personally I think there are just too many rules

[pieter]

Finally a video that no-one can bitch about... balanced review of mistakes both ways... well done 👍
The standard of refereeing is atrocious... we can all accept an individual cannot see everything and might make mistakes... but 4 officials with video review should get it right at least 99% of the time...

[andy_olive]

These vids with all errors are much better. It feels less like a guilty pleasure watching them… thanks Rassie

[Sillylawyer]

Great video. We all know you love the Springboks but giving a fair and well-balanced view is just so much better. I’ll be difficult when the boks lose but keep this up. Only answer is that the TMO gets more involved. If the fans with non-rugby related day jobs can clearly see these “missed” moments surely a trained ref can see it? Also. How difficult will it actually be with modern technology to definitively see if (1) a ball was thrown in skew (perhaps more that 10 degrees either alway) (2) where exactly a ball went out from a kick for touch (3) if a ball went forward, maybe with a margin of error of 5 degrees from flat Etc etc etc. I think this type of technology will give the fans less to complain about, give the players less chances of losing a game as a result of a bad call and lastly reduce referee death threats.

[indochinaconnex]

Grata video. As a bok supporter I thought we were the better team but there was equally some really strange calls on both sides. Dear world rugby we don’t expect perfection but we expect more consistency. Also, when will we have technology like hawk eye to determine a forward pass.

[ktmendurorally]

As a Saffa… really feel the Eben try should have been looked at, definitely seemed like a knock on or Eben getting the ball from an offside position

[TheJunglecrab]

Great video TAS! Appreciate the balanced input… This is the best approach to have a potential impact with the powers that be💯

[matstokesmusic]

Thanks for posting. We can only hope that World Rugby sorts all these inconsistencies out before WC2023. But I doubt it!

[alecremer]

These analytics are fantastic mate, keep it up.
The refs job is super tough, but Angus Gardner is wet, and I think 2018 when he officiated SA V ENG he gave the match to ENG after Farrell high shot was deemed legal. So he’s just making up for his guilt.
There were clear errors from SA-no excuses.
The worst things is that a lot of the stuff which was picked up by the TMO happened right in front of the ref. Does he need retraining/ a break from rugby/ pressure response training?

[andyw]

This is the first video of yours I can actually agree with. The SA hooker no arms tackle was couple phases before the first SA try, but what a try it was, poor English defence. I saw the slight move of 14 to block Eng 15, but not really enough in that for me. Eben was clearly on his knees when he picked the ball up, no idea how that was missed?!
Either way, England were shocking as always and whatever decisions were made do not deserve to be in the same league as SA with Eddie as manager picking has-been and players out of position.
I usually slate your videos, but happy to see in this one you have been more fair than usual, finally, thank you

[seandonaldson]

Well done, this one is a lot more balanced.

[michaeladama]

Fair play. You're being consistent.

[badenoir]

fair play with this idea, showing your issue is with World Rugby and not whoever SA is playing against. Call em all out, you'll have our support!

[SAS]

Loving your work bro.
So much was missed and not always to the detriment of the Boks.
If WR don’t pick up on your excellent analysis can you imagine what’s going to happen in the World Cup. 😮
Keep up the great work never stop watching it and I am learning much more as a result of it. Shame the Refs can’t see it the same way.

[olibamford]

Knew this video would be coming out. As a South African the ref was atrocious for both sides

[robincaller]

Finally TAS, well done. It's about time you showed how much goes the way of South Africa too. You've been focused on their hard luck calls for too long. Great to see you being less biased and more analytical.

[andremostert]

I absolutely love your brilliant and unbiast approach and opinions in these videos that you make week after week. Definitely something I look forward to each time. With regards to players sealing off a player who is about to make a catch - EVERYONE does it, and it needs to stop. From kick-off’s to aerial ping pong, sealing off a player in that regard SHOULD NOT BE ALLOWED.