'We are all human': Johann van Graan moves on from sin-bin controversy
Johann van Graan says Bath will move on after the sin-bin controversy that overshadowed their Gallagher Premiership clash at Harlequins.
The Rugby Football Union upheld the hosts’ thrilling 40-36 win, despite apologising for an officiating error that saw Quins lock Irne Herbst return to the field early after a yellow card.
Herbst was sent to the sin bin in the 63rd minute, but he came back on after only seven minutes, rather than the regulation 10.
With Bath in the midst of a rousing comeback, which saw them score 33 unanswered points, the South African made at least one important tackle during the time he should have been out of action.
But after assessing the issue, the RFU’s professional game match officials team declined to take any further action over the mistake.
“In terms of the process, I followed the protocol post the game and spoke to the referee on the day and the referees’ manager (Paul Hull) over the course of the last three days and now we move on,” Bath head of rugby Van Graan said.
“In terms of the process, I trust the process and I followed the process that is available to any head of rugby.
“I flagged it with the fourth official through our (team) manager. I am respectful of the process that I followed that was available to me.
“Once a decision is made in sport, you live with the decision. Life is not perfect and I have got huge respect for referees.
“At the end of the day, we all want the same thing and that is the right outcome.
“The only thing I can do is trust that we all respect the game and live the values of the game and I believe that is what we – as a club – did over the weekend.
“I have been involved in many sporting events where it is small margins. My job is to make sure I look after my team and this playing group and I followed the process to the letter of the law.
“Rugby is an incredibly unique game and it is a hugely emotional game. This was a very unique incident – I have been involved in professional rugby for 23 years and this is the first time I have come across it.
“Things happen very quickly and then you have also got to take into consideration that we are all human.
“There was human error involved, the RFU made a statement and irrespective of what everyone’s opinion is, they are the facts of the matter.
“We respect the process and there is an outcome to it and we have got to move on.”
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Nick, I think your article brings up a couple of issues. Do we stick with a lighter 7 ie M.Hooper V2 or a bigger 7. If Schmidt goes with McRight then I would suggest he should also make him captain, from my observations he does most of the captains job, apart from talking to the ref and he was an outstanding captain in U20’s. The big problem for the Wallabies is the tight 5 and McRight would fit perfectly IF we had a competitive and mobile tight 5. The other point is who are the6 & 8? If he goes with Cale at 8 and Valitini at 6 then that is a very mobile backrow but how good will they be at the breakdown. If he keeps BobbyV at 8 and say Leota at 6 then he might be looking for a stronger pack and McRight may not fit in. It is always a tricky call for smaller forwards with great skills.
Go to comments> And to be frank, those are the only four teams that deserve to be in the playoffs. They are the only teams that hold winning records in Super Rugby Pacific 2024. So you agree with the final 8 format then Ben? As of course its purpose is to generate activity towards the end of the season, and as you say, there wouldn’t be any if it was just a final 4 playoff format.
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