AS a English rugby fan who suffered merciless stick from Welshmen during their halcyon days of the 70s and 80s – the Gareth Edwards, JPR era – I suppose I could have had a little chuckle at their expense when I heard about their controversial defeat in Italy at the weekend.
But you almost felt sorry for them.
Just to recap, the Welsh were stitched up by English referee Chris White, who got his timing all wrong and blew the final whistle early, having told them they had one last play.
But how did that happen in the first place?
And just who is in charge of international rugby matches these days?
When the Welsh asked White 'how long to go?', he consulted the fourth official in charge of time-keeping and was told 'ten seconds', only to be informed when the ball went into touch for an attacking lineout, that time was up.
What a farce.
White, who reminds me of those all-smiling refs we used to get at schools matches in my youth (circa 1960s), should have had the balls to take charge of the situation and overruled the man in the stands.
He didn't, and later issued a smarmy thank-you to the team for accepting his decision with good grace.
Talk about a cop-out!
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