After France’s elimination from the Rugby World Cup at the hands of South Africa, head coach Fabien Galthie has returned to the contentious quarter-final encounter to express his dissatisfaction with the refereeing performance of Ben O’Keeffe. Galthie made these remarks during a review of France’s recent campaign in the Guinness Six Nations in Marcoussis.
He indicated that France’s defeat in the quarter-final was influenced by both rugby-related factors and refereeing decisions, emphasizing the significant impact of certain calls on the match’s outcome. Galthie had the opportunity to address the matter with O’Keeffe during a recent meeting at World Rugby. While he acknowledged that decisions are an inherent part of the sport, he emphasized the importance of addressing them in a respectful manner. Galthie underscored the significance of demonstrating respect towards referees and the potential consequences of questionable decisions on the players.
In addition, Galthie singled out Springbok flanker Kwagga Smith for his conduct during the match, specifically referencing a ball illegally seized while on the ground, resulting in three points for South Africa. He reiterated the necessity of recognizing and addressing the work undertaken by World Rugby committees in terms of regulations and rules.
Despite the disappointing World Cup exit, France secured a second-place finish in this year’s Six Nations Championship after notable victories against Wales and England in the final two rounds. Galthie’s team encountered a rocky start to the tournament, including a disheartening loss to Ireland in the opening round. Nevertheless, they managed to secure a victory over Scotland in round two, followed by a draw with Italy in Lille, with the team’s performance salvaged by Paolo Garbisi’s late penalty miss. The underwhelming performances placed increased pressure on Galthie and his coaching staff.
Fortunately, France rallied with two impressive showings in the latter stages of the Championship, culminating in a thrilling 33-31 victory over England in Lyon. The team’s improved performances in the final rounds likely alleviated some of the pressure on Galthie and may have secured his position for the foreseeable future.
Galthie’s comments shed light on the enduring impact of the Rugby World Cup defeat and the team’s determination to move forward in the aftermath of their disappointing exit. While the controversy surrounding the match and the subsequent discussions with the referee may have reopened old wounds, it is evident that Galthie and his team are resolved to learn from the experience and enhance their performance in future tournaments.