Weather Afternoon: 10°c Sunny spells Tonight: 4°c Partly Cloudy Night

Sport

Decisions frustrate Gatland

8 Nov 2009


Wales coach Warren Gatland was critical of several decisions made by referee Craig Joubert as his side's New Zealand hoodoo continued with a 19-12 defeat at the Millennium Stadium.

Gatland was particularly critical of the South African's failure to penalise All Blacks fly-half Daniel Carter for a high tackle on replacement scrum-half Martin Roberts as the hosts pushed for a try late in an absorbing Test match in Cardiff.

"It was a head high tackle," he said. "A guy makes a break in the 22 and if that had happened at the other end then it would have been a penalty and a yellow card and all the officials missed it, so we are pretty disappointed with that."

Assistant coach Shaun Edwards was even more forthright in his views on Carter's tackle saying, "They should have played the last 10 minutes of the game with 14 men.

"It was a high tackle and you see players get yellow carded for that, you see players red carded for that."

Fly-half Carter, who overcame a calf muscle injury to play, booted 14 points for the All Blacks while hooker Andrew Hore scored a 56th-minute try.

Wales relied on four penalties from Carter's opposite number Stephen Jones, and despite putting the visitors under severe pressure late on they are now without a win in this fixture since 1953.

Gatland was also less than pleased by the decision to award a first-half penalty against flanker Martyn Williams for a deliberate knock-on.

He explained: "The deliberate knock-on against Martyn Williams was harsh and that cost three points. You look at that and it means we lost three points there and with the high tackle."

Reader views (0)

 Add your view

No comments have so far been submitted.

 

  • Chelsea stars say 'get Guus ­Hiddink in now' Guus ­Hiddink Senior Chelsea players want Guus ­Hiddink to return to Stamford Bridge as manager and save the club's season
  • Thierry Henry set for final game for Arsenal against AC Milan Thierry Henry Thierry Henry will play his final game for Arsenal at the San Siro with manager Arsene Wenger wishing he could stay for longer
  • I've played at Wembley, thanks to the JLS boys Phillips Idowu Phillips Idowu exclusive: JLS are a cool bunch of guys, I've got all their albums and I've followed them closely since The...
  • Chris Robshaw to captain England for rest of Six Nations Chris Robshaw Chris Robshaw has been confirmed as England captain for the rest of the RBS 6 Nations
  • Robin Van Persie has score to settle on his return to big stage Arsenal players Arsenal striker was harshly sent off this time last year but a brilliant run of form since has put him in a perfect position to put his...
  • England's luck is in as Charlie Hodgson leads the charge Charlie Hodgson Fly-half never gave up on Test career and that spirit is serving the team well
  • Shed tears for taxpayers not Rangers fans Rangers Ibrox Patrick Barclay: Administration is no fun for any club but it is still a relatively easy way out for the owners and...
  • Sean Dyche delighted with Valentine's Day victory for hard-working Watford Craig Forsyth Watford boss Sean Dyche hailed the Hornets' team spirit as they made it 10 points from 12 to continue their upward movement in the...
  • Alan Curbishley is No1 choice for Wolves Alan Curbishley Alan Curbishley is due to be interviewed for the job of Wolves manager
  • Javier Hernandez ready to embrace Europa League Javier Hernandez It might be a Thursday night on Channel Five - but Manchester United's clash with Ajax does sound like a Champions League game
  •