47 - 18

Irish TV pundit Matt Williams issues 'karma' tweet for Springboks

24 Sep 2023

Mack Hansen of Ireland celebrates after their sides victory during the Rugby World Cup France 2023 match between South Africa and Ireland at Stade de France on September 23, 2023 in Paris, France. (Photo by Gaspafotos/MB Media/Getty Images)

Outspoken Australian rugby coach and Irish TV rugby pundit Matt Williams was a vocal critic of the Springboks’ 7-1 bench selection ahead of their clash with Ireland.

Williams first criticised the move after the Springboks win over the All Blacks, saying that they were “abusing” the purpose of the bench which was brought in for safety reasons.

Ahead of the Pool B crunch match between Ireland and South Africa, Williams doubled down on his position claiming it was not “morally correct” with claims that the lower levels of the game would replicate the tactic with adverse consequences.

Springboks Director of Rugby Rassie Erasmus responded to Williams during the week, “I am also over 50 but I don’t understand what your point is and how you got to your “conclusion”, and invited the pundit to listen to a podcast.

After Ireland’s 13-8 victory over South Africa, Williams took to Twitter with a short message for South Africa implying that “rugby karma” played a part in their misfortune.

7-1 and a crooked throw in…..Rugby Karma.
— Matt Williams (@MattRCNM) September 23, 2023

His tweet “7-1 and a crooked throw in…. Rugby Karma” referred to a late throw by flanker-turned-hooker Deon Fourie which was called not straight with the Springboks pressing from five metres out.

It was a crucial throw with Ireland hanging on near their own goal line.

The 7-1 bench immediately provided impact by winning a scrum penalty on the first attempt which led to a try to Cheslin Kolbe, but the scrum dominance witnessed against 14-man New Zealand did not eventuate.

The reserves gave away two costly scrum penalties which led directly to six points to Ireland.

The Springboks pack had a chance to win the game on the final play with another driving maul but Ireland held strong and the maul collapsed.

Referee Ben O’Keeffe adjudged the ball not to be available immediately and correctly called a scrum to Ireland which ended the game.

Comments

15 Comments

Bosvark 566 days ago

Nice one Matt you tool we now have 4 world cups bet your feeling bitter miserable and hateful.. come to SA for a holiday we have a cure for your bitterness

strachan 581 days ago

Just wanted to let Matt Williams know…Karma is never late. Where is Aussies or Irish

No relevance mate

JOHN 594 days ago

matt Williams needs to get a life. This Aussie whinger is well known knob of the first order and has whinged his way around the world.

Jeff 601 days ago

Ireland were great but I don't think boks showed there hand were as Ireland did.

dk 601 days ago

Very astute write up Kim. Great impact from the reserve SA props in each of their first scrums. Then fatigue immediately set in because they are unfit. Which caused them to be unable to keep the scrum stable and the two scrum penalties. Game over.

Red and White Dynamight 601 days ago

Williams is 100% correct. Just another eg of The Waterboy and SARU bending the rules for their purpose. 7/1 was always going to backfire, and it did. Unfortunately it wasn't in the knockout rounds, The Waterboy now has a chance to rectify the bench before it's too late. Hopefully not tho, the wee pug throwing wobblers in to the line out was comedy gold.

Rugby 448 days ago

williams is a tosser like you Red and Shite

noone listen to you

wrong again

7-1 won

wee dawbag

LB 602 days ago

This idiot should team up with the equally confused Ben Smith of Rugbypass. They would make the ideal couple on a very remote island.

strachan 581 days ago

A Royal Idiot of note. Failed coach

Queez 602 days ago

Matt Williams has a 16% win record as a coach. He should actually leave coaching issues to the experts since he is clearly not qualified to speak on the matter. Anyone who takes his views serious is an absolute moron, its like going to the dentist and being told, he/she only knows 16% of what he/she is doing.

Pieter 602 days ago

I dont want to be mean but this guy doesnt maybe know Karma because what happend to Aus today is what Karma does when you feel good about other people suffering. Sad day for Aus and hope they get better soon.

JD 602 days ago

The hell with arsehole Matt Williams. A total nobody, despite all the noise he makes. Tnuc.

Kenward K. 602 days ago

The lady doth protest too much, methinks.

Ace 602 days ago

"Outspoken Australian rugby coach and Irish TV rugby pundit Matt Williams"

"Failed Australian rugby coach and Irish TV rugby pundit Matt Williams"

There you go, fixed it.

Dave 602 days ago

"correctly called a scrum to Ireland"

Ok 😂

Load More Comments

Join free and tell us what you really think!

Latest Features

LONG READ

How long can South Africa hedge their bets in both hemispheres?

While Rassie Erasmus' Springboks have conquered all in their path, the ex-Super Rugby franchises have struggled to deliver at the level beneath.

LONG READ

Bordeaux’s thrilling pretenders and salary cap changes threaten Toulouse supremacy

A talented Bordeaux side and proposals to cut the salary cap and credits for Test players present a twin challenge to Toulouse.

LONG READ

Retiring Care and Youngs leave worthy legacy to emerging England scrum-halves

England's new generation of No.9s will have to go some to match the class and durability of retiring duo.

Comments on RugbyPass

Cantab 6 days ago

Teenager Braxton Sorensen-McGee reflects on dream Black Ferns debut

Although NZ won comfortably enough they weren’t always convincing and a better opposition may well have found them out. If our gun 7s players can translate their skills to the 15s game the team would have the ability to beat anyone. Need to be given the chance though.

4 Go to comments

James 6 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

And how do you see the Wallabies loosehead / Lion’s tighthead battle Nick?

37 Go to comments

dw 6 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Also interested in your thoughts on A Bell. Haven't noticed many scrum issues recently. He also seems to play 60 or so mins every game. A bit of a fan (even though he’s a tah..) but wondered if the Lions would target his scrummaging

37 Go to comments

dw 6 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

True. And you look at how the European coaches have got so much out of skelton and how much the local fans love him…and then some Oz fans will still say “he played poorly for the tahs I'm 2015!”

37 Go to comments

dw 6 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Thanks Nick but your headline has just jinxed us and reminded me of that night in 2013!

I love any analysis of the scrums such as the above. Cheers.

Allalatoa seems to be in good form and Nongorr appears to be able to hold his own? I think they will pick Tupou regardless of form. After Friday night I am concerned he could be sent off in the first five mins of the test though! He got too pumped up and hit a player high and was carded

37 Go to comments

RedWarriors 6 days ago

'Most complacent selection decision you will ever see': Barrett benching slammed as Leinster knocked out

I watched the mainstream NZ pundits eg Mils Muliaina and they DID back NZ to win almost to a man.

Ireland will talk their team up as anyone would with the caveats we are playing the ABs and match was de facto 50:50, That is not the same as dismissing the opposition. EG After the quarter John Kirwan said he was sorry France didn’t win versus SA becuase a ‘France-NZ final would be perfect. (The semis had not even been played yet, England and Argentina completely dismissed! He didn’t even realize his own arrogance) NZ are not even aware of the arrogance they exude. Has no Kiwi politely asked the national team to take down the ‘Superstars and Humble Heroes’ boasting on the AB site? Its cringeworthy stuff. Do NZ really see themselves like this?

Note all this BS about Irish arrogance started just after NZs defeat in the 2022 series. Not a coincidence.

Also: this is Irish national TV. We will talk our team up as everyone does. We care too much about judgemental and thin skinned Kiwis getting offended.

91 Go to comments

JM 6 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Aussie rugby fans are obsessed with players they hate, for whatever reason.

Michael Hooper is another one, and the hatred only increased whenever he won John Eales medals or the two times he was nominated world player of the year.

I reckon it is because our forwards are technically and mentally weak they put it all on one player who they think should make way for the messiah.

Same for the general team performance and the hate put on players like White, Lolesio, and Foley who should be pulling rabbits out of the hat every play.

I reckon, if we had of had 5 players with Hooper’s desire and drive spread across the team (and especiallythe forwards), we wouldn’t have woken up in the bottom of the ditch.

37 Go to comments

RedWarriors 6 days ago

'What he’s given to this club is nothing short of incredible'

He shouldn’t have been picked. Not physically able for the most intense matches notably in Twickenham last year. Giving him the captaincy was also a very short sighted decision then after RWC 2023. Ireland have a tendency to be a little too loyal, which can mean the team ages and the rebuild is bigger than should be.

Plenty of lads out there to fill that squad.

4 Go to comments

OJohn 6 days ago

Geoff Parling returns to Leicester as head coach

Hooray

0 Go to comments

Carlos 6 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

He was also a YC magnet.

37 Go to comments

Carlos 6 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Windsor-Faulkner-Price. 😊

37 Go to comments

Solenn Bonnet 6 days ago

Leinster cleanse palette with record URC scoreline against Zebre

My name is Solenn Bonnet, and I am a single mother navigating the challenges of raising my two-year-old child while trying to make ends meet. I came across a trading platform that promised astonishing daily profits of 18%. The allure of such a high return on investment was too tempting to resist, and I found myself drawn into cryptocurrency trading. Excited by the prospect of financial freedom, I invested a significant amount of my savings, totaling over 5.7 BTC. However, what started as a hopeful venture quickly turned into a nightmare. The platform was a scam, and I lost everything I had invested. The emotional toll of this loss was immense; I felt devastated and helpless, struggling to provide for my child and keep up with my bills. In my desperate attempt to recover my funds, I sought help from various recovery experts. Unfortunately, I encountered numerous fraudulent individuals who claimed they could help me retrieve my lost money. Each time I reached out, I was met with disappointment and further scams, which only deepened my despair. Last year was one of the most challenging periods of my life, filled with anxiety and uncertainty about my financial future. Feeling overwhelmed and at a loss, I confided in a close friend from church about my situation. She listened compassionately and shared her own experiences with financial difficulties. Understanding my plight, she introduced me to Tech Cyber Force Recovery, a group of skilled hackers known for their expertise in recovering lost funds. Skeptical yet hopeful, I decided to reach out to them as a last resort. Their services came at a higher cost, but my friend generously offered to help me with a partial payment. I was amazed by how quickly they responded and began the recovery process. Their team was professional, efficient, and incredibly supportive throughout the entire ordeal. To my relief, they successfully recovered more than I had lost to those heartless scammers. This was truly transformative, and I felt a sense of relief and gratitude that I hadn’t felt in a long time. I strongly encourage anyone who has faced similar challenges or fallen victim to scams to reach out to Tech Cyber Force Recovery. If you’ve invested in a fraudulent platform like I did, they are highly capable of helping you reclaim your hard-earned money. Don’t lose hope; there is a way to recover what you’ve lost.

CONSULT TECH CYBER FORCE RECOVERY

EMAIL.. support@techyforcecyberretrieval.com

WhatsApp.. +15617263697

website.. https://techyforcecyberretrieval.com

Telegram.. +15617263697

0 Go to comments

Mzilikazi 6 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Ah, the Pooler front row ! Most legendary in the history of the , I would think. Max Boyce helped…”Here we. here we, here we go, with the Pontypool front row.”

37 Go to comments

Mzilikazi 6 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Would not go as far as whole house in our family, but for me, yes, W1. Loved playing in the scrum, love watching now😀

37 Go to comments

Mzilikazi 6 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Yes, I see that article here on RP, Nick. That is good news that Schmidt is going to look at the o’seas players.

Yes, I would think you are right that LAR will qualify. On the same points as MP, but surely they are too good not to win this crunch game….could be tEnse for ROG in the stands though.

37 Go to comments

BC 6 days ago

Who would make it into a Women's British and Irish Lions starting XV?

I would pick Oifa Wafer at 6, put Aldcroft in the second row with Ward. I think Wafer is one of the few non-England players mentioned that would contend for a Red Rose shirt, the others being King and possibly Neve Jones. Conversely there are two English players mentioned, Sing and Venner, that probably won’t even make the Red Rose WC squad, let alone a Lions Tour. Still a lot can change in two years, watch out for Millie David.

1 Go to comments

Otagoman II 6 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Great article NB, thanks. I would like to know what is the reasoning why so many things are penalties in the scrum. Is it to do with safety or something else?

37 Go to comments

NB 6 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

👍