Nigel Owens' revelation: The time All Blacks legend told top ref to 'f*** off'
Rugby referee Nigel Owens has revealed the time All Blacks legend Sean Fitzpatrick told top Welsh official Derek Bevan to "f*** off" during a historic loss to France in 1994.
France were on the verge of a series sweep against the All Blacks after winning the first test in Christchurch 22-8, and were trailing in Auckland 20-16 before a sensational length of the field try from Jean-Luc Sadourny sealed a famous victory for Les Bleus.
Speaking on the House of Rugby podcast, Owens spoke about how the game turned on its head for the All Blacks.
"New Zealand had been in control all game and Grant Fox had kicked to the corner late on," Owens said.
"They were now going to win this game - the series would be drawn - and France were never going to get their first series win in New Zealand.
"There's a lineout, France win the ball and run it from behind their own posts.
"Philippe Saint-Andre starts it and France score this brilliant, brilliant try that's out of this world.
"New Zealand have now lost the series and Sean Fitzpatrick is captain.
"He's totally deflated after being in control all game, they've lost it."
The try that put France 23-20 up – along with some referee banter – was ultimately what led to All Blacks captain Fitzpatrick's spray at Bevan.
"Derek has given the try beneath the sticks and as he's walking back, Fitzpatrick and a few forwards are trudging back to get behind the posts for the conversion," fellow Welsh referee Owens said.
"As Derek passes Fitzpatrick, he says to him 'what a wonderful try that was'.
"Fitzpatrick turns to Derek and says 'why don't you just f**k off Bevan'.
"You couldn't say that now, but back then you could."
Bevan, a colourful and expressive referee who would become Owens' mentor, officiated at four World Cups including the 1991 final.
Owens himself has been regarded as one of the best referees in the game and has officiated a record 98 tests including the 2015 World Cup final, which the All Blacks won.
Owens has also gained a reputation for speaking out on social justice and his sense of humour on and off the field.
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Skelton may be brought back for the Wallabies so that would be the only reason that may hinder Wilson. Easily the form, most skilful and game IQ of any Oz 8. Valentini’s best and favourite position is 6, but lineouts may be an issue with Skelton, Valentini and Wilson. Will be interesting what Schmidt goes for but for me Wilson should be picked on form. Schmidt rewards work rate, skill and consistency. All that glitters every so often won’t be in contention. Greely is one of those players that has a knack of making the right decision. A coach is going to love him because he knows week in week out he’s going to get the job done. The second try Greely wasn’t the guy who made the initial break it was Flook, Greely was at the bottom of the ruck when Flook was off along the sideline. Greely got up and made the effort to catch up with play but also read the play nicely and hit the pass from Campbell at pace and then held the pass beautifully to Ryan.
Go to commentsSharks deserved to be far further back by the last quarter. Their tackling was awful, their set pieces were disappointing, their defensive organization was poor (especially on the Kok side of the D line), they kept making unnecessary errors, and they never looked like cracking the Clermont defense during those first 60m. Masuku kept them in touch, with some help from the Clermont generosity on penalty opportunities. Agree with the writer of this article. It was belligerence, and ability to raise their pressure game just enough, that turned the last quarter into a Bok-style shutout. Clermont have a reputation of not playing the full 80m, and there was a bit of that for sure. But, quite often when the intensity of a team drops off in the last quarter credit is due to the opponent for tiring them out. At 60m, with the Kok try, you thought that just maybe the game was on. At 70m, with the Mapimpi contribution, one felt that Clermont were fading, while facing a team that would maintain the pressure game through the final whistle. Good win in the end, but the Sharks are still playing way below their potential. And with their resources, and a coach that has had enough time to figure things out, they are running out of excuses.
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