Whilst the whinging is over the top, once and ex ref weighs in surely there is something in it?
Andre Watson thinks he screwed up:
http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/5778252/Lawrence-copping-it-from-all-quarters
We can't blame the ref for losing but Lawrence fucked up. Anyone who watched a bit of rugby could see he easily loses control.
I find it a bit rich that Aussies were crying about the Ireland game and now criticize the Saffers for complaining.
Ultimately Bryce Lawrence has been on a slippery slope for some time but he lost it in this game. Big time.
It would always be debatable how many rucks he actually let go. I suspect Aussie fans and Saffer fans will come up with very different numbers!
Having painfully watched the second half again I counted at least five situations where the tackler simply did not let go. Having seen how Joubert and Barnes reffed the breakdown I am 100% sure there would have been more penalties. Of course Pocock would have adapted, The discussion is not just about Pocock. Actually for the most part he arrived and legally contested. The problem was that by that time the tackler had hung on for a second too long making it easier for the guy coming in. That is why the we have the tackler release being enforced in the first place.
I think Aussies contesting the Saffer complaints are being overly sensitive about Pocock. He went for it and wasn't pinged. What was he supposed to do? Tell the ref, hey buddy, I'm getting away with murder here Sir please ping me. He did his job to perfection and we all know that a good part of the 7's job takes place on the wrong side of the law.
On a side note yes maybe if we had Brussow we would have fared a little better but I am not sure about that. The real trick missed by our esteemed coaching staff was not to introduce Alberts earlier in place of Spies with express instructions to clean out like never before. Instead we have Spies standing around like a bloody whimp.