Paddy O'Brien abysmal refereeing costs Fiji vs France in 1999 RWC

Referee Paddy O'Brien has one of the most famous abysmal refereeing performances and single handedly denies Fiji a win over France in the 1999 Rugby World Cup. O'Brien's errors cost Fiji 17 points to France in the match, gifting France 10 points and denying Fiji 7 as well as missing a possible red card. In the end France won 28-19, but it could have been so different. O'Brien admitted in regards to his performance after the match he "lost the plot".

0:00 - France prop Christian Califano headbutts the Fijian prop Joeli Veitayaki on the chin right in front of O'Brien. The incident was a possible red card offence for violent foul play but Califano and France get away with it.

0:20 - France take a penalty quickly, but fly half Christophe Lamaison throws a forward pass to wing Christophe Dominici to score in the corner. O'Brien awards the try, but then after the touchjudge tells him he got it wrong, he then disallows the try. O'Brien then goes back for a France penalty, even though they have already taken it and it should now be a Fiji scrum for the forward pass, and France get 3 points they shouldn't have.

0:57 - Fiji full back Alfred Uluinayau does a big hit on his opposite number Ugo Mola forcing Mola to lose the ball in contact, and then flanker Seta Tawake picks up and scores what is a fair try. But O'Brien disallows it and awards France a scrum and Fiji are denied the try.

1:30 - Fiji are winning 19-13 after 69 minutes, but after a series of scrums close to the Fiji line, France hooker Marc dal Maso pops up out of a scrum but O'Brien ignores this and awards France the penalty try and France the lead again even though it should have been a penalty to Fiji. And the score should have been 26-10 to Fiji at this point.

2:05 - After the match TV pundit Sean Fitzpatrick calls O'Brien's decision for the penalty try "astounding" and that "the Fijians will feel justifiably miffed".

[juniorsewbs]

My father played in this game and he always tells me about how bad O' Brien was..

[merenalaka]

I remember watching this game in my village here in Fiji. Paddy O Brian was a fool, a racist and he made a fun of himself to the world to see what is inside him and will remain with him all his life. O Brian if you read this, there's no room for people like you in sports in the world today.

[francois]

19 years later, Fiji beat France in Paris. Talk about a long time karma.

[Tehui]

Bias at the least. Racism at the most. Ridiculous refereeing.

[jonemarayawa]

He should have been banned for ever from officiating or participate in any engagement with world rugby. Such a disgrace

[jefffiji]

I remember he apologised saying it wasn't one of his best performances! I personally don't accept that apology due the fact it was not 2....but 3 huge decisions that went against fiji at an world cup. Sorry doesn't cut it when you end a whole nations hope on a 'bad day at the office'. So blatant was his mistakes I wonder if he was on the 'take'..!!! I don't think The IRB was ready for a tiny nation to knock out a rugby power nation!! Ps on a side note isn't paddy now the head of international referees?? Shocking!!

[oryanprax]

What a shameful display of refereeing from O'Brien. A name that will live forever in infamy among Fiji rugby fans.

[wtokalau]

I remember watching this game in Fiji  and the feeling that overwhelmed me and the nation due to Paddy O'Brien and his shocking performance. We don't mind if we lose but when poor refereeing decisions robs us of a chance at a victory then you must understand the feeling of anger, outrage and hatred that was directed straight towards Paddy! If you're reading this Paddy....Apology not accepted!! 

[Maeroa]

Paddy allow the Rooster to walk in right to the Semi Final where he regretted the bad decisions he made against Fiji after the Rooster kill the Kiwi in the Semi Final. 

[nacholibro]

How in the hell did he become referees boss?

[tuezzy]

Watching this game in Fiji as a young boy, I was shown first hand of what racism looked like against people of my skin colour. Explaining how atrocious this referee was by my elders, I’ll never forget the look of horror on their faces as this game went on. My grandfather sadly explained to me this isn’t new, he said they faced even worse treatment as soldiers by the Americans in ww2.

[jU]

Fiji would have been in the Final at this level of rugby produced by Greg smith (SKIPPER) and his team, imagine the influence and the impact if Fiji won the World Cup that year, it would have done a lot in the Future of Rugby in the beautiful Island of Fiji, that all.

[robertbaisagale]

Paddy oh Brian should never be allowed to advice or talk RUGBY!!!! PACIFIC Rugby always been defeated by Board Rooms and bloody REFEREES

[mrbishopstrong]

Wow.. The say patty is one of the best.. How could he do this.. This was absolutely disgusting.. At least aussies beat them in the finals.. Reffing was a shame

[arserobinson]

wasn't even one criminal decision it was multiple. forward pass on French try, no knock on Fiji's try, was a red card against France.

[siwooot]

Gotta wonder if he was paid to rig it, a lot of controversial things seem to go in Frances way in world cups when they're playing at home huh

[sakuvorowaqamaximus]

Dear Paddy O' Brian we are a rugby loving nation.We dont have funky headsets for our players, we get poached by higher tier nations, we play touch rugby daily on bumpy dusty fields.We are strapped for funds to necessitate quality technical and technological support.Please do justice when we venture out and play at the highest showcase of international Rugby.We certainly deserve that and that pulse will reverberate and ignite the heartbeats and passion of kids playing with plastic bottles in our beloved islands.Forever Go Fiji Go !

[MarkWhippy]

How are there dislikes? Are they all just french fans or Paddy O'Brien? Its undeniable how bad his refereeing was

[robertbaisagale]

PADDY OH BRIAN GOT PROMOTED BY IRB AFTER RIGGING THE BEAUTIFUL GAME.THEY ARE ALL IN IT TO MAKE MONEY MONEY MONEY!!! GREEDY MOTHERS!!!!

[pierce.ireland]

I always think when a referee acts like this they maybe biased for some reason.