Despite what many neutrals saw as an exceptional refereeing performance – Springboks fans and even a former player have gone after Luke Pearce in the wake of their shock defeat to the All Blacks in Johannesburg on Saturday.
Ian Foster’s New Zealand ran out 35-23 victors over the Boks in the second of their two games on South African soil.
It’s a win that few predicted after a display of dominance from the hosts a week earlier and it hasn’t gone down well with SA fans – who have sought to scapegoat Pearce for the loss.
Even former Springboks were getting in on the act, with Breyton Paulse posting: “The Boks certainly didnt deserve to win tonight but the ref made some really bad calls at critical times that took our oemf away, not good at all!!”
The Boks certainly didnt deserve to win tonight but the ref made some really bad calls at critical times that took our oemf away,not good at all!!
— Breyton Paulse (@BreytonPaulse) August 13, 2022
Dylan Jack wrote: “Luke Pearce yellow carded Willemse for a first cynical infringement. Now he’s giving warnings to the All Blacks for cynically collapsing the Bok maul.”
Luke Pearce yellow carded Willemse for a first cynical infringement. Now he’s giving warnings to the All Blacks for cynically collapsing the Bok maul.
— Dylan Jack (@dylmjack) August 13, 2022
And there were plenty more in that vein:
Luke Pearce is having a shocker
— Saffas Abroad Rugby (@SaffasRugby) August 13, 2022
Luke Pearce will be gutted to not get MOTM
— Sportbilly (@sportbillysays) August 13, 2022
The All Blacks (read A.Savea) were so good and probably deserved the win but Luke Pearce was absolutely disgraceful #RSAvNZL
— Nick Wright (@nickizzlewright) August 13, 2022
A dare you to find a more cynical refereeing display than Luke Pearce here. Got the microscope out for the Boks on every single play. Not so much for the ABs.
— Matt Lawlor (@mklawlor) August 13, 2022
Don’t celebrate try just yet. This ref has found a Springbok forward pass from 2001. #RSAvNZL
— Roar (@RoryPetzer) August 13, 2022
The complaints from South African fans were in stark contrast to neutrals, who widely lauded a superb performance from the Gallagher Premiership whistler.
Respected Australian journalist Christy Doran noted: “Luke Pearce’s officiating of last night’s Springboks- All Blacks Test was superb. Well done. Clear, concise and wanting the game to be played at speed. Great Test. The Rugby Championship is alive. Great drama about this year’s tournament.”
Luke Pearce’s officiating of last night’s Springboks- All Blacks Test was superb. Well done.
Clear, concise and wanting the game to be played at speed.
Great Test. The Rugby Championship is alive. Great drama about this year’s tournament.
— Christy Doran (@ChristypDoran) August 14, 2022
Journalist Steffan Thomas wrote: “I personally thought Luke Pearce was flawless. Can’t think of a single decision he got wrong. Top class performance.”
I personally thought Luke Pearce was flawless. Can’t think of a single decision he got wrong. Top class performance https://t.co/XQAKo4M6dB
— Steffan Thomas (@Steffan_Thomas1) August 13, 2022
Squidge Rugby observed how Pearce – like Nigel Owens before him – is nearly always involved in exceptionally good matches: “If you’re ever trying to figure out which fixtures will be absolute bangers, it’s easier to just search for matches Luke Pearce is refereeing than check which teams are playing.”
If you’re ever trying to figure out which fixtures will be absolute bangers, it’s easier to just search for matches Luke Pearce is refereeing than check which teams are playing.
— Squidge Rugby (@SquidgeRugby) August 13, 2022
South African journalist Brendan Nel wrote that: “I didn’t have an issue with Luke Pearce’s reffing. I may have disagreed with a few decisions, but nothing major. Telling point was the obstruction – we didn’t have a great angle on the big screen, so want to watch that again before commenting” and later “Sorry, won’t jump on the bash the ref bandwagon. Definitely didn’t get the rub of the green but the Boks lost 4 lineouts on their own throw, they were poor defensively. The bomb squad backfired through injury and we were left with just one option for the aerial battle.”
Sorry, won’t jump on the bash the ref bandwagon. Definitely didn’t get the rub of the green but the Boks lost 4 lineouts on their own throw, they were poor defensively.
The bomb squad backfired through injury and we were left with just one option for the aerial battle.— Brenden Nel (@BrendenNel) August 14, 2022
Newcastle Falcons media manager Mark Smith Tweeted that Pearce’s performance was top draw: “Man of the match: Luke Pearce. Refereeing masterclass.”
Man of the match: Luke Pearce.
Refereeing masterclass.
— mark smith (@markismith50) August 13, 2022
Former Northampton Saints’ lock and now head of player affairs at the RPA Christian Day observed: “Enjoyed that first half. NZ looking a lot more like the All Blacks. SA back into it though just before HT and looking like they have solidified the set piece with an early change or two. Luke Pearce communicates very well and keeping the pace of game high.”
Enjoyed that first half. NZ looking a lot more like the All Blacks. SA back into it though just before HT and looking like they have solidified the set piece with an early change or two. Luke Pearce communicates very well and keeping the pace of game high.
— Christian Day (@christianday) August 13, 2022
Pearce – at just 34 – is widely seen as one of the best referees in the world, and his performance in Ellis Park yesterday will only further that reputation, despite what some South African fans might say.
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