NPR

British & Irish Lions coach Warren Gatland fired another salvo at World Rugby, accusing them of being sluggish in communicating the television match official (TMO) change ahead of the first Test.

Gatland, who also admitted to speaking to World Rugby on whether a change of TMO was possible for the second and third Tests, said World Rugby knew a week in advance that New Zealander Brendan Pickerill wasn't going to make it to South Africa because of Covid-19 travel restrictions.


He was replaced by Marius Jonker, from where Gatland insisted he hasn't in any way criticised Jonker's appointment and subsequent performances.

"I don't want to comment on his performances and stuff, but we found out on the Wednesday night before the first Test," Gatland said.

"Our understanding was that it was going to be Brendon Pickerill, but we subsequently found out that World Rugby had known for a week or so that there was the possibility that Brendon may not be travelling to South Africa.

"That raised our concern and we weren't notified about that and why there wasn't a contingency plan in place."

Gatland said World Rugby should have had proper plans in place to replace neutral match officials in the event something happens.

Gatland said the landmark nature of the British & Irish Lions series demands World Rugby to have proper contingencies in place.

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South Africa v British and Irish Lions: Second test match preview

South Africa will be hoping to avenge their defeat to the British and Irish Lions in the first test, with the Lions hoping to win their first series in the country since 1997.

The 2021 British & Irish Lions series concludes on Saturday with the third Test between the visitors and South Africa at Cape Town Stadium.

"Every four years, there's the World Cup and we know how important it is, but the next biggest thing on the calendar is the Lions," Gatland said.

"You don't want to be in a position where the match officials are criticised or questioned and we've had that where officials are being accused of being disrespected.

"We need to make sure we respect the officials as much as we can because they have a difficult job and without them, we can't play the game.

"There's a lot at stake and at times, we get frustrated with calls and decisions, but we have to suck it up and get on with it."

SaintK wrote: ↑Tue Aug 03, 2021 2:59 pm.....and you know this how? If he had been there would have been photographic evidence of the bite marks on Mostert's arm presented to the disciplinary panel, as there usually is with these instances.. Unless of course he was just making it up!

_Os_ wrote: ↑Thu Aug 05, 2021 7:08 am

SaintK wrote: ↑Tue Aug 03, 2021 2:59 pm.....and you know this how? If he had been there would have been photographic evidence of the bite marks on Mostert's arm presented to the disciplinary panel, as there usually is with these instances.. Unless of course he was just making it up!

The English have totally lost it. It's hilarious. They're not dirty, instead South Africans are now masters of Keyser Soze-esque subterfuge.

_Os_ wrote: ↑Thu Aug 05, 2021 7:08 am

SaintK wrote: ↑Tue Aug 03, 2021 2:59 pm.....and you know this how? If he had been there would have been photographic evidence of the bite marks on Mostert's arm presented to the disciplinary panel, as there usually is with these instances.. Unless of course he was just making it up!

The English have totally lost it. It's hilarious. They're not dirty, instead South Africans are now masters of Keyser Soze-esque subterfuge.

clive wrote: ↑Thu Aug 05, 2021 11:31 am

_Os_ wrote: ↑Thu Aug 05, 2021 7:08 am

SaintK wrote: ↑Tue Aug 03, 2021 2:59 pm.....and you know this how? If he had been there would have been photographic evidence of the bite marks on Mostert's arm presented to the disciplinary panel, as there usually is with these instances.. Unless of course he was just making it up!

The English have totally lost it. It's hilarious. They're not dirty, instead South Africans are now masters of Keyser Soze-esque subterfuge.

I'm a British Lions supporter but not English, don't forget its 4 nations you north African Cunt.

clive wrote: ↑Thu Aug 05, 2021 11:31 am

_Os_ wrote: ↑Thu Aug 05, 2021 7:08 am

SaintK wrote: ↑Tue Aug 03, 2021 2:59 pm.....and you know this how? If he had been there would have been photographic evidence of the bite marks on Mostert's arm presented to the disciplinary panel, as there usually is with these instances.. Unless of course he was just making it up!

The English have totally lost it. It's hilarious. They're not dirty, instead South Africans are now masters of Keyser Soze-esque subterfuge.

I'm a British Lions supporter but not English, don't forget its 4 nations you north African Cunt.

clive wrote: ↑Thu Aug 05, 2021 11:31 am

_Os_ wrote: ↑Thu Aug 05, 2021 7:08 am

SaintK wrote: ↑Tue Aug 03, 2021 2:59 pm.....and you know this how? If he had been there would have been photographic evidence of the bite marks on Mostert's arm presented to the disciplinary panel, as there usually is with these instances.. Unless of course he was just making it up!

The English have totally lost it. It's hilarious. They're not dirty, instead South Africans are now masters of Keyser Soze-esque subterfuge.

I'm a British Lions supporter but not English, don't forget its 4 nations you north African Cunt.

sorCrer wrote: ↑Thu Aug 05, 2021 1:11 pm

clive wrote: ↑Thu Aug 05, 2021 11:31 am

_Os_ wrote: ↑Thu Aug 05, 2021 7:08 am


The English have totally lost it. It's hilarious. They're not dirty, instead South Africans are now masters of Keyser Soze-esque subterfuge.

I'm a British Lions supporter but not English, don't forget its 4 nations you north African Cunt.

To be fair there Clive it's really just 2. The English and the Irish. The Scots barely get a look in and the Welsh are shite and fall under their masters, the English, anyway.

Sards wrote: ↑Thu Aug 05, 2021 3:48 pm Lamest build up ever.....


That's what it has become...

Sards wrote: ↑Thu Aug 05, 2021 3:48 pm Lamest build up ever.....


That's what it has become...

Uncle fester wrote: ↑Thu Aug 05, 2021 5:15 pm Think the Saffers are being a bit cocky for a team shorn of PSDT and FDK.

And lions probably won't be as bad again. Think we'll sneak it. Anyone up for a week flounce bet?

Sards wrote: ↑Thu Aug 05, 2021 5:22 pm

Uncle fester wrote: ↑Thu Aug 05, 2021 5:15 pm Think the Saffers are being a bit cocky for a team shorn of PSDT and FDK.

And lions probably won't be as bad again. Think we'll sneak it. Anyone up for a week flounce bet?

I don't think anybody is sure of anything. BILs played fantastic running rugby against the provincial sides.....haven't seen any of that in the 2 tests

Sards wrote: ↑Thu Aug 05, 2021 5:22 pm

Uncle fester wrote: ↑Thu Aug 05, 2021 5:15 pm Think the Saffers are being a bit cocky for a team shorn of PSDT and FDK.

And lions probably won't be as bad again. Think we'll sneak it. Anyone up for a week flounce bet?

I don't think anybody is sure of anything. BILs played fantastic running rugby against the provincial sides.....haven't seen any of that in the 2 tests

Uncle fester wrote: ↑Thu Aug 05, 2021 5:15 pm Think the Saffers are being a bit cocky for a team shorn of PSDT and FDK.

And lions probably won't be as bad again. Think we'll sneak it. Anyone up for a week flounce bet?

Uncle fester wrote: ↑Thu Aug 05, 2021 5:15 pm Think the Saffers are being a bit cocky for a team shorn of PSDT and FDK.

And lions probably won't be as bad again. Think we'll sneak it. Anyone up for a week flounce bet?

Uncle fester wrote: ↑Thu Aug 05, 2021 5:15 pm Think the Saffers are being a bit cocky for a team shorn of PSDT and FDK.

And lions probably won't be as bad again. Think we'll sneak it. Anyone up for a week flounce bet?

Uncle fester wrote: ↑Thu Aug 05, 2021 5:15 pm Think the Saffers are being a bit cocky for a team shorn of PSDT and FDK.

And lions probably won't be as bad again. Think we'll sneak it. Anyone up for a week flounce bet?

OomStruisbaai wrote: ↑Fri Aug 06, 2021 10:55 am Springbokke must be underdogs. They are unprepared for this. BILs last roll of the dice, will be desperate to turn it around. They will be going in with a semi after so long isolated.

Chilli wrote: ↑Fri Aug 06, 2021 9:41 am

Uncle fester wrote: ↑Thu Aug 05, 2021 5:15 pm Think the Saffers are being a bit cocky for a team shorn of PSDT and FDK.

And lions probably won't be as bad again. Think we'll sneak it. Anyone up for a week flounce bet?

I am with you on this.
Faf and PSDT are the heartbeat of the team.
Yes, Mostert is an excellent replacement, but them we lose another lock.
Reinacht is not Faf and can't produce the formula. Nor is he that Jack Russell in defense.

We are a slightly weaker team for it.

Lions by 8

handyman wrote: ↑Fri Aug 06, 2021 6:22 am

Uncle fester wrote: ↑Thu Aug 05, 2021 5:15 pm Think the Saffers are being a bit cocky for a team shorn of PSDT and FDK.

And lions probably won't be as bad again. Think we'll sneak it. Anyone up for a week flounce bet?

I'm up for this, but lets make it 2 weeks.

Uncle fester wrote: ↑Fri Aug 06, 2021 11:27 am

handyman wrote: ↑Fri Aug 06, 2021 6:22 am

Uncle fester wrote: ↑Thu Aug 05, 2021 5:15 pm Think the Saffers are being a bit cocky for a team shorn of PSDT and FDK.

And lions probably won't be as bad again. Think we'll sneak it. Anyone up for a week flounce bet?

I'm up for this, but lets make it 2 weeks.

*spits on hand*

Chilli wrote: ↑Fri Aug 06, 2021 11:13 am Lions food and drink while watching the rugby





South African food and drink while watching he rugby

Chilli wrote: ↑Fri Aug 06, 2021 11:13 am Lions food and drink while watching the rugby





South African food and drink while watching he rugby

JM2K6 wrote: ↑Fri Aug 06, 2021 11:46 am

Chilli wrote: ↑Fri Aug 06, 2021 11:13 am Lions food and drink while watching the rugby





South African food and drink while watching he rugby

The Brits and Irish, notoriously afraid of alcohol particularly when watching sport

bok_viking wrote: ↑Fri Aug 06, 2021 1:18 pm By the way, a quick advert for those of you who always look for links, etc to watch sport on. I do provide an IPTV service that provides almost any channel you might want to watch related to sports or otherwise, from UK, SA, AUS, NZ, USA, etc I used to always provide the service to expats while i was living in Asia. Its not a free service though, $5.50/month but as long as you have an android or IOS device/tv and internet speed of at least 10MB it basically work the same as any cable service. Although in some countries like the UK and USA you might need a VPN because some of the ISP's there block IPTV services that are not registered with them.

Now back to the rugby... GO BOKKE!

Marylandolorian wrote: ↑Fri Aug 06, 2021 1:43 pm

bok_viking wrote: ↑Fri Aug 06, 2021 1:18 pm By the way, a quick advert for those of you who always look for links, etc to watch sport on. I do provide an IPTV service that provides almost any channel you might want to watch related to sports or otherwise, from UK, SA, AUS, NZ, USA, etc I used to always provide the service to expats while i was living in Asia. Its not a free service though, $5.50/month but as long as you have an android or IOS device/tv and internet speed of at least 10MB it basically work the same as any cable service. Although in some countries like the UK and USA you might need a VPN because some of the ISP's there block IPTV services that are not registered with them.

Now back to the rugby... GO BOKKE!

Sent you a PM

clive wrote: ↑Fri Aug 06, 2021 3:19 pm The ref will play a huge part in the game he must stop the bok cunts slowing down the game lost count on how many SA went down feigning injury, slow to everything.
Big calls went to SA last week and the loss of flaf will make a difference, Bl need to come out fighting.
As hosts SA have been `fucking shit, no wonder the country is on the brink of collapse, the pitch looks like a farmers field, god knows how there haven't been any covid cases for the Lions, but that is down to the Lions staff, left to the dirty SA cunts the place would be overrun, time to reconsider another tour to SA play it in a decent country.

Blackmac wrote: ↑Fri Aug 06, 2021 4:25 pm

clive wrote: ↑Fri Aug 06, 2021 3:19 pm The ref will play a huge part in the game he must stop the bok cunts slowing down the game lost count on how many SA went down feigning injury, slow to everything.
Big calls went to SA last week and the loss of flaf will make a difference, Bl need to come out fighting.
As hosts SA have been `fucking shit, no wonder the country is on the brink of collapse, the pitch looks like a farmers field, god knows how there haven't been any covid cases for the Lions, but that is down to the Lions staff, left to the dirty SA cunts the place would be overrun, time to reconsider another tour to SA play it in a decent country.

Did we not come here to avoid wankers like this.