Springboks director of rugby Rassie Erasmus feels that it is better that he doesn’t comment on Ireland captain Johnny Sexton’s impending disciplinary process.
Sexton could face a ban for his actions during and after Leinster’s 27-26 Champions Cup defeat to La Rochelle last month.
South African newspaper, the Rapport, reported that Sexton swore at referee Jaco Peyper after the game, reportedly calling the officials a f***ing disgrace after Leinster squandered a 17-0 lead to lose 27-26 to La Rochelle.
The flyhalf missed the clash through injury but was in attendance and entered the field after the loss.
Keeping quiet
While no official disciplinary process has been announced, City A.M, reported this week that European Rugby chiefs gave Sexton a misconduct letter, and he has been accused of three counts of misconduct.
The report adds that Sexton faces a minimum 12-week ban, putting his Rugby World Cup in doubt and potentially forcing the 37-year-old into early retirement.
Erasmus, who recently served a suspension linked to critiquing officials, was asked what he made of Sexton’s actions.
“My opinion wouldn’t change anything, and we’re trying our best now with the regulations that World Rugby in disciplinary processes when we tried to get Nigel [Owens] onboard,” Erasmus said at a Springboks press conference.
“We’re really trying to build this relationship and getting to fully understand how they see, perceive and understand things.
“We’re trying to get it right, and we’re changing parts of our game to adapt to how the referees might interpret certain things.
“I’ve put up my hands many times and said that’s not how we can win a World Cup, and for me to comment on that matter will go totally against what we’re trying to do. So I will rather keep quiet on that, thank you.”
Ireland have been drawn in Pool B along with South Africa, Scotland, Tonga and Romania.
READ MORE: Loose Pass: When science meets TMOs, the Johnny Sexton problem and drafts
The article Rassie Erasmus remains tight-lipped over Johnny Sexton’s misconduct appeared first on Planetrugby.com.
Article courtesy of
Source link
