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

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.

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Williams first criticised the move after the Springboks win over the All Blacks, saying that they were ā€œabusingā€ 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 ā€œmorally correctā€ with claims that the lower levels of the game would replicate the tactic with adverse consequences.

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Springboks Director of Rugby Rassie Erasmus responded to Williams during the week, ā€œI am also over 50 but I don’t understand what your point is and how you got to your ā€œconclusionā€, 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 ā€œrugby karmaā€ played a part in their misfortune.

His tweet ā€œ7-1 and a crooked throw in…. Rugby Karmaā€ 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.

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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.

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Comments

15 Comments
B
Bosvark 631 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

s
strachan 645 days ago

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

No relevance mate

J
JOHN 659 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.

J
Jeff 665 days ago

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

d
dk 666 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.

R
Red and White Dynamight 666 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.

R
Rugby 512 days ago

williams is a tosser like you Red and Shite

noone listen to you

wrong again

7-1 won

wee dawbag

L
LB 666 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.

s
strachan 645 days ago

A Royal Idiot of note. Failed coach

Q
Queez 666 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.

P
Pieter 666 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.

J
JD 667 days ago

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

K
Kenward K. 667 days ago

The lady doth protest too much, methinks.

A
Ace 667 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.

D
Dave 667 days ago

"correctly called a scrum to Ireland"


Ok šŸ˜‚

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P
PL 36 minutes ago
Lions Tour Aussie takes: Bigger is better, the stars who failed to fire

I find it interesting that journalists who have done nothing in rugby comment on selections & coaching like they are experts

Concussive injury’s will remove insurance cover from the game unless their is strict application of the laws designed to remove MND Parkinson’s and CTE from the game


Head on head I saw red to Adam Coleman as tackler for Irish while unconscious on a stretcher - concussions occur without twitching on the ground or the wobbly boot - I know I had maybe 20 from rugby


The officiating of last feet is non existent

The lack of effective wrap by Lions front rower & that decision had a close relationship with ordure in a toilet

A head on head tackle red for Coleman not even penalty lead to a try in a phase or 2


Powys v Evans lead to a £> 2 mill verdict against the ref personally special leveraged to Hiuse of Lords

Refs will stop reffing with no insurance then no game


About 5 years ago 4 or 5 French colts died from head hits in elite club games - that led to below sternum law - hamlets honoured in breach not observance

Last feet non existent - enforcement favour flowing rugby nor lions meat grinder forwards get momentum and puck & drive NZ Vowel noise


The UK Class Action could be very well be lost WRC will try every dirty trick in case they already used dial a neuros to argue the unarguable is law gossip


I reffed ref coached & assessed for ruffly 17 seasons


The application of laws is like a zig zag on speed

Line out laws not enforced scrums tight pulling loose down one side mirror on other side elbow pointing to ground stretch marks on jersey

Der moment the refs need to go Soec Savers

My bet unless they stop lack of intestinal fortitude game management


Yellow every time head contact or above sternum


Needs sterner GMGs material impact removed set piece caterpillar remove

Last feet to last feet + 1 m


When I reffed I kept them well apart - hated me till they got over yellow and they actually had fun & complemented me post game backs had room and pick and drive had momentum


As for intentional foul play like tackle in air auto red no replacement 100,000 fine player 250,000 club


Treble it for international 26 week suspension & it’s disappear over night

25 were scrum for dissent


Penalty all this rubbish shots at opponents after error


All the s.ite would disappear


The pathetic unsportsmanlike behaviour would lead to standards


Remember Les Boyd’s penalty re Brohman -if that is the way we treat foul play but while foul play with potential serious injury with a feather duster like we are the game is destined to no insurance following that no refs cause would you risk bankruptcy like Powys v Evans

1 Go to comments
S
Soliloquin 1 hour ago
Why New Zealand learned more from their July series than France

For Fischer, many people in France are still doubting him - it’s the first time he has a full season (31 games). Before, he was always injured at some point. He’s 27, so not the youngest, and you have a younger Boudehent or JĆ©gou behind.

His physicality is incredible, but he didn’t prove he’s got hands. He just proved he was able to defend like a beast.

But you know, even Cros has improved his handling skills lately, so it’s never too late!

And he will play the Champions Cup with a solid Bayonne side, so let’s see!


I don’t agree with ā€˜only Fischer’: Brennan proved he’s a great 4/7 utility player, and GalthiĆ© likes those very much (Woki or Flament). He’s 23, playing for Toulouse with high concurrence, so the prospect is good. I rate him higher than Auradou, who had a few games in the 6 Nations.

For DepoortĆØre, he had a more silent season than the previous one - injured at the worst moment during the Autumn Tests series - but came back strong with a Champions Cup and a solid partnership with Moefana. What could save him would be to start playing as a 12 when Moefana isn’t there, bulking up and become the new Jauzion.

But he’s 22 and an incredible talent at 13. His height makes me think he had more potential than your fan favorite Costes or the utility player that is Gailleton.


As for Montagne or Mallez, with the lack of quality in props, they could find a spot!

Especially Mallez who’s got a good spot to get behind Baille at Toulouse. Neti isn’t the youngest and hasn’t an international level.


And again, as Ugo Mola said, you never play with your best team.

So 30-32 player is more of a 38-40, so you need back-ups.

France knows very well how useful they can be during RWCs.

236 Go to comments
S
Soliloquin 2 hours ago
Why New Zealand learned more from their July series than France

Hastoy was a good prospect before the 2023 RWC, he was the fly-half who led La Rochelle to the victory in the Champions Cup final in Dublin against Leinster.

But he made it to the squad only because Ntamack got his ACL.

He played against Uruguay, which a terribly poor game by the French side, and since then he declined a bit, alongside his club.

Under the pressure of Reus and West at 10, he regained some credit at the end of the season (among all a drop at the 81st minute of a game).

He’s quite good everywhere, but not outstanding.

He doesn’t have the nerves, the defense and the tactical brain of Ntamack, the leadership and the creativity of Ramos or the exceptional attacking skills of Jalibert.


I really hope that:

-Ntamack will get his knee back. The surgery went well. He wasn’t the most elusive player in the world, but he was capable of amazing rushes like the one against NZ in 2021 or the Brennus-winning try in 2023.

-Jalibert will continue to improve his defense. He started working hard since March (after his defensive disaster against England) with a XIII specialist, and I’ve seen great moments, especially against Ntamack in the SF of the Champions Cup. It’s never too late. And it would be a great signal for GalthiĆ©.

-Hastoy will build up his partnership with Le Garrec, that La Rochelle will start a new phase with them and Niniashvili, Alldritt, Atonio, Boudehent, Jegou, Bosmorin, Bourgarit, Nowell, Wardi, Daunivucu, Kaddouri, PacĆ“me…

236 Go to comments
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LONG READ Why New Zealand learned more from their July series than France Why New Zealand learned more from their July series than France