O'Connell unhappy with ref

My Account
Logout

Create an Evening Standard Account

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Welcome! Sign in here

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Forgot your password ?

Registration

* indicates fields that are mandatory

Email *

Password *

Confirm Password *

First name *

Surname *

Postcode *

Country *

Mobile phone number

Username *

Gender *

Year of birth *

When you sign up...

You will have access to all our online competitions, discounted offers and can post comments on our site.

You will also receive The Weekender newsletter sent every Thursday - it’s full of fantastic offers and ideas for the weekend. You can update your email preferences in your account page when you log in.

Other newsletters and emails

Homes & Property Newsletter - Yes I want to receive the weekly email with all the latest news on property in the capital

Occasionally we would also like to send you relevant emails detailing specific offers either from ourselves or carefully selected partners. If you would prefer not to receive these then please tick the appropriate boxes below. We will never pass on your details.

I do not want to receive additional offers and information from the Evening Standard

I do not want to receive additional offers and information sent by Evening Standard on behalf of carefully selected partners

Terms and Conditions

* I have read, understood and agree to be bound by the terms and conditions of Evening Standard

Registration

Mail Sent for Registration Confirmation.

A confirmation email has been sent. Please activate your account by clicking on the activation link sent in your mail box.

The Springboks opened a 26-7 lead early in the second half as the Lions struggled to cope with the world champions' destructive scrummaging power. South Africa's loose-head Tendai "The Beast" Mtawarira was named man of the match for a performance that had veteran Lions prop Phil Vickery under immense pressure.

O'Connell said: "The referee was saying Phil was constantly going in. Phil is a very experienced prop, he has played at the top of the game. How he can be seen to be making mistakes in four or five scrums is beyond me. Every time he seemed to be reffing us and not them."

Ruan Pienaar landed three first-half penalties and Francois Steyn slotted a long-range effort to build on John Smit's fifth-minute try.

Heinrich Brussow rumbled over at the rear of a powerful rolling maul shortly after the interval before the Lions staged a late comeback.

Lions head coach Ian McGeechan will review the video and send a report to the International Rugby Board's referees chief Paddy O'Brien.

"It comes down to interpretation and that is what we need clarification on next week," said McGeechan.

"The penalty count in the first half and second half killed us. There is a protocol to review this and we will then look forward to the next Test.

"We forward our review of this game to Paddy O'Brien and any issues that come out of that go forward into the meeting with the three referees on Friday for any clarification.

"Both teams have got something to work off now and it is having that clarification that is important."