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Cape Town - Former Springbok prop Ollie le Roux feels the referee should not be given all the blame after the Cheetahs lost to the Brumbies in their Super Rugby clash in Canberra over the weekend.
The Brumbies won 24-23 after centre Christian Lealiifano kicked a penalty after the hooter had sounded.
Referee Keith Brown awarded a dubious penalty to the home side after he felt the Cheetahs deliberately swayed the scrum.
Brown also punished the Cheetahs on several occasions during the match, especially at the scrums.
His performance has subsequently received some criticism with SANZAR referees boss Lyndon Bray admitting there was a “big imbalance” in the way Brown allowed the Brumbies an advantage in hitting in at the scrums.
But Le Roux told Volksblad the Cheetahs should never have found themselves in those situations.
"Refs do not always understand what happens in the scrums and blow what they see. One should give the referee what he wants," said Le Roux.
Some scribes feel that Brown should have allowed that last scrum to be re-set or even awarded the penalty to the Cheetahs.
"It was one of those decisions which could have gone either way. You will never get a perfect match. The Cheetahs should have realised what Keith's method of approach was and just focused more."
Le Roux felt they should never have struggled with their scrums in the first place, considering the experienced coaching staff they have.
"To now blame the referee afterwards - and to send reports on his performance - is a weak excuse.
"Every year they struggle with their scrum work. It's as if they fall into the same trap every time. It's irritating because it's not like that with the other teams. Why does something like that never happen with a team like the Crusaders? Are they better than us?" said the former Cheetahs and Sharks prop.
The Brumbies won 24-23 after centre Christian Lealiifano kicked a penalty after the hooter had sounded.
Referee Keith Brown awarded a dubious penalty to the home side after he felt the Cheetahs deliberately swayed the scrum.
Brown also punished the Cheetahs on several occasions during the match, especially at the scrums.
His performance has subsequently received some criticism with SANZAR referees boss Lyndon Bray admitting there was a “big imbalance” in the way Brown allowed the Brumbies an advantage in hitting in at the scrums.
But Le Roux told Volksblad the Cheetahs should never have found themselves in those situations.
"Refs do not always understand what happens in the scrums and blow what they see. One should give the referee what he wants," said Le Roux.
Some scribes feel that Brown should have allowed that last scrum to be re-set or even awarded the penalty to the Cheetahs.
"It was one of those decisions which could have gone either way. You will never get a perfect match. The Cheetahs should have realised what Keith's method of approach was and just focused more."
Le Roux felt they should never have struggled with their scrums in the first place, considering the experienced coaching staff they have.
"To now blame the referee afterwards - and to send reports on his performance - is a weak excuse.
"Every year they struggle with their scrum work. It's as if they fall into the same trap every time. It's irritating because it's not like that with the other teams. Why does something like that never happen with a team like the Crusaders? Are they better than us?" said the former Cheetahs and Sharks prop.
