Rugby Referee Analysis: Ben O’Keeffe | South Africa vs Ireland World Cup 2023

As some of you might know, World Rugby took down my last video on Ben O’Keeffe, that video is currently in the process of getting reinstated, and will be back up on the Friday or Monday. Seeing as Ben O’Keeffe was anounced as the referee for the South Africa vs France game, I decided to reupload my video on his performance in the South Africa vs Ireland game. It wasn’t a particularly good game from him, but I will say this much, I prefer having him in the middle than having Wayne Barnes refereeing. As Barnes is the worst referee when it comes to dealing with home crowd pressure. France vs South Africa will obviously be a massive game, and with how the game is today, the ref will almost certainly play a massive role in the game. Let’s just hope we don’t see any red cards that will ruin a spectical. As for the South Africa vs Ireland game, here is the description from my last video: The Referee of the match was Ben O’Keeffe (New Zealand), who was assisted by Mathieu Raynal (France) & James Doleman (New Zealand) as the assistant referees, and then the TMO was Brendon Pickerill (New Zealand) The final moments of the match were nothing short of dramatic. A skewed lineout throw, suspicious offsides, pre-binding issues, and potential game-changing maul collapses led to a whirlwind of controversies in mere seconds. How could international referees miss such glaring faults in the most crucial stages of a World Cup game? Then there was all the Foul Play incidents that the ref pretended not to see. James Ryan’s two cheap shots, one on Pieter Steph du Toit and another on Faf de Klerk, exemplify the unchecked aggression that went unnoticed. The overt shoulder charges, especially when Du Toit was without the ball, should’ve prompted action. But the negligence didn’t stop there. Ox Nche’s deliberate stamp on Josh van der Flier’s hand was a potential game-changer. Another overlooked act was Andrew Porter’s dangerous shoulder charge into Kwagga Smith’s head. The consistent overlooking of these infractions raises severe questions about the referee’s competencies and intentions. Moreover, the inconsistency in refereeing at the breakdown was evident. South Africa found themselves under strict scrutiny, penalized for even the minutest delays in rolling away. Contrastingly, Ireland faced leniency for similar or even more egregious faults. Then a potential Water-Gate Scandal by Ireland? Ireland’s medical staff’s actions bordered on deception. Late in the second half, players were administered with CrampFix, a clear violation of the rules which dictate only water can be given. The surreptitious manner in which this act was done, especially avoiding the ref’s eyes, is a cause for concern. Further, the use of Grip Spray during game stoppages again flouted the core rules. Such brazen rule-breaking under the very noses of officials is alarming. The match officials, including the TMO, have a solemn duty to ensure the game’s integrity. Every mistake, every missed call, especially in a platform as prestigious as the Rugby World Cup, raises serious concerns about World Rugby’s commitment to fair play. It’s essential to recognize that these aren’t just errors in a game, but they undermine the very spirit of rugby. This video doesn’t just aim to point fingers but to emphasize the importance of accountability and reform. As fans, enthusiasts, players, and stakeholders of this beautiful game, we deserve better. World Rugby must take cognizance of these repeated oversights and ensure that the sanctity of the sport remains uncompromised. It’s high time the governing body faces the music and rectifies its shortcomings. Let this analysis be a wake-up call. For in the world of rugby, every decision, every missed call, resonates far beyond the field—it echoes in the hearts of millions who cherish this sport. Join us watching our analysis of the South Africa vs. Ireland Clash, as we dissect these moments, provide our commentary, and hope for a brighter, fairer future for rugby. Let’s not allow such negligence to overshadow the brilliance of the game. 00:00 - Part 1: Tries and Pivotal Lineout 04:33 - Part 2: Foul Play 10:17 - Part 3: Deliberate Knock On 11:43 - Part 4: Not Rolling Away 15:23 - Part 5: Scrums 17:27 - Part 6: Ireland’s Medics 20:16 - Part 7: Bonus Clips Lastly, I would also like to thank VHA Accounting Solutions for their partnership during this 2023 Rugby Championship. This video was sponsored by them. We look forward to a great partnership during this Rugby Championship For this Video I used CoachPaint from TRACAB, they’re the best in the industry with regards to telestration software: For a 14-day Trial you can use this link: Check them out on: LinkedIn: Twitter: Facebook: Instagram: #CoachPaint #Tracab