Publications
Partners
Cape Town - Former Springbok coach Peter de Villiers has launched his fiercest attack yet on New Zealand referee Bryce Lawrence, who officiated South Africa's Rugby World Cup quarter-final loss to Australia last year.
The Springboks bowed out of the tournament with a narrow 11-9 defeat, despite enjoying three-quarters of possession.
De Villiers told the Times Live website he's struggling forgive the man who may well have cost him his job as Bok coach.
De Villiers decribes Lawrence as being "cocky, arrogant and sly".
"Bryce Lawrence makes, on average, six mistakes a game, which is a good average for a referee. In that game he made 48 mistakes, six of which were match-costing," said De Villiers.
And De Villiers refuses to accept the apology the New Zealand referee offered afterwards.
"So, Bryce mumbled an apology to the world. This means nothing!
"Did he really apologise for exactly what he did? He needs to tell South Africa exactly what it is that he is apologising for.
"For match-fixing? For inefficiency? For what? How am I supposed to forgive him if I don't know exactly what for?"
De Villiers also announced that his biography will soon hit stores.
It is written by rugby writer Gavin Rich and carries a foreword by former Springbok captain John Smit.
De Villiers coached the national team from 2008-2011. His most notable achievements while coaching the Boks were a Tri-Nations trophy and a series victory over the British and Irish Lions in 2009.
Last week it was reported that De Villiers had approached the South African Rugby Union (SARU) about possible work.
De Villiers believes he gained valuable experience during his tenure at the Boks, which could be useful for the game in South Africa.
"I feel a bit useless at the moment. Sitting back home and nobody shows interest in trying to draw from experience that I do have," said De Villiers.
The Springboks bowed out of the tournament with a narrow 11-9 defeat, despite enjoying three-quarters of possession.
De Villiers told the Times Live website he's struggling forgive the man who may well have cost him his job as Bok coach.
De Villiers decribes Lawrence as being "cocky, arrogant and sly".
"Bryce Lawrence makes, on average, six mistakes a game, which is a good average for a referee. In that game he made 48 mistakes, six of which were match-costing," said De Villiers.
And De Villiers refuses to accept the apology the New Zealand referee offered afterwards.
"So, Bryce mumbled an apology to the world. This means nothing!
"Did he really apologise for exactly what he did? He needs to tell South Africa exactly what it is that he is apologising for.
"For match-fixing? For inefficiency? For what? How am I supposed to forgive him if I don't know exactly what for?"
De Villiers also announced that his biography will soon hit stores.
It is written by rugby writer Gavin Rich and carries a foreword by former Springbok captain John Smit.
De Villiers coached the national team from 2008-2011. His most notable achievements while coaching the Boks were a Tri-Nations trophy and a series victory over the British and Irish Lions in 2009.
Last week it was reported that De Villiers had approached the South African Rugby Union (SARU) about possible work.
De Villiers believes he gained valuable experience during his tenure at the Boks, which could be useful for the game in South Africa.
"I feel a bit useless at the moment. Sitting back home and nobody shows interest in trying to draw from experience that I do have," said De Villiers.
