Latest news with #BenOKeeffe
Telegraph
27-07-2025
- Sport
- Telegraph
Lions referee got crucial call right for the moment and the wider sport
During the first Lions Test in Brisbane, I was hugely impressed with the way that Ben O'Keeffe, Andrea Piardi and Nika Amashukeli took decisions on the field and left it to the video ref to work in the background to ensure they hadn't dropped a clanger. Think Dan Sheehan's try in the corner at the start of the second half, think Harry Wilson, the Australia captain, pleading for O'Keeffe to review a decision in the 58th minute when the referee rightfully ruled no try as the ball was short of the line. That type of officiating allows the game to flow, prevents unneeded stoppages and means the TMO only gets involved when it is essential. That strong on-field decision making continued into the second Test. As Jack Conan crashed over the line, Piardi was clearly unsighted, and rather than going 'upstairs', O'Keeffe quickly explained that the ball had been dropped before the line, so go back for the penalty advantage that was being played. Wind forward to the last play of the match, and that on-field decision-making was still evident. When the team of officials met in the middle of the pitch to discuss the match-defining incident, with 90,000 spectators listening to every single word, Piardi began by explaining that Jac Morgan and Carlo Tizzano arrived at the same time. O'Keeffe added to the dramatic discussion that 'it was dynamic' and Morgan was 'wrapping'. Piardi then summarised the thoughts of all three – 'It's play-on for us'. When Piardi announced the decision of his team over the stadium PA system – a great addition to international rugby, by the way – there was a deluge of noise at the MCG. And there was also a sense of relief on my sofa. Dan Biggar, on Sky Sports' commentary, asked: 'Where could he go?' and when Ronan O'Gara was asked what he was seeing he replied quickly: 'Very little.' I couldn't have agreed more with the two ex-internationals. Rugby is a dynamic game with lots of moving parts and yes, player safety is at the heart of everything the game is currently doing, but these things happen. It's worth re-emphasising that every time there is head contact, it does not mean that there is foul play. 'A rugby incident' 👀 Warren Gatland on the last minute Jac Morgan clearout 🗣️ — Sky Sports Rugby Union (@SkySportsRugby) July 26, 2025 I actually thought the Tadhg Furlong clean-out in the first Test was not foul play either, though he was penalised for a clean-out on Len Ikitau, the Australia centre. Furlong's was dynamic; he attempted to wrap and I wasn't sure what else he could have done. Perhaps this was one decision that Piardi, O'Keeffe and Amashukeli looked at in the build-up to the second Test. Refs, like players, learn from their previous decisions too. In post-match discussions fans and pundits have suggested that the Aussie replacement made the most of the contact, some even going as far as saying Tizzano dived. As someone who didn't like tackling, let along jackalling, I'm not going to pretend to know what being cleared out by someone who is 100kg running at full tilt feels like. What I do know is that many people will have their own opinions about the final decision, but I thought it was a decision that showed these three officials have a wonderful feel for the game.
The Independent
18-07-2025
- Sport
- The Independent
Australia vs Lions referee: Who is first Test official Ben O'Keeffe?
New Zealand's Ben O'Keeffe will take charge of the first Test between Australia and the British and Irish Lions in Brisbane. Born in Blenheim on New Zealand's South Island, O'Keeffe started refereeing at the age of 19 and stepped up into the professional ranks five years later. He was elevated to a first international fixture in 2015 as an assistant, before a refereeing debut in June 2016 overseeing a draw between Samoa and Japan. A regular recipient of the New Zealand referee of the year award, O'Keeffe was selected to take charge of the second Lions test in South Africa in 2021, before making the 12-strong list of referees for the 2023 World Cup. The 36-year-old was appointed to a quarter-final and semi-final at the tournament. O'Keeffe's performance in the last eight was criticised by beaten French captain Antoine Dupont, but the Kiwi responded well and took charge of England's narrow defeat to South Africa in the semi-final at the Stade de France a week later. A qualified ophthalmologist, O'Keeffe's brother Michael represented New Zealand at the London Olympics and is now a sports reporter. He is highly-regarded by World Rugby and can count on strong support at Suncorp Stadium, with the Kiwi assisted by Nika Amashukeli and Andrea Piardi - the referees for the second and third Tests in the series. Compatriot Richard Kelly is on hand as the television match official to aid O'Keeffe if required. First Test match officials Referee: Ben O'Keeffe (New Zealand) FPRO: Eric Gauzins (France)
Irish Times
30-06-2025
- Sport
- Irish Times
Owen Doyle: First game of Lions tour showed why the lineout is heading for same farcical fate as the scrum
Three flashes of sheer brilliance delivered for the Lions . In a poor first-half with many penalties conceded, plus a consequent yellow card, those magical moments provided a handy 14-point cushion. Things then improved in the second period and they swept aside a tiring Western Force . Referee Ben O'Keeffe will reappear for the first test, but this was little more than an evening stroll for him. He can expect a different challenge when Joe Schmidt 's Wallabies and the Lions share the same den. The Lensbury Club, near the Thames' famous Teddington Lock, has hosted many rugby events. About 20 years ago the world's referee cohort gathered there under the auspices of World Rugby. There were long discussions concerning the scrum put-in, which was not being whistled if the ball was delivered squint. The active referees argued hard that there were so many other scrum things to look out for that a crooked throw was not very high on their agenda. READ MORE My attempted insistence that a reasonably straight throw should be the first thing on their list, not the last, fell on deaf ears. After much huffing and puffing, it was agreed to allow a little leeway. Well, we all know where that quickly ended up; it is never a contest for possession. It is disappointing to see a similar issue, regarding the throw-in at the lineout, continue unresolved. Referees and their assistants seem happy to ignore it. This phase is in real danger of following the path of the scrum. It is on track to soon become just a restart of play and no longer that vital contest for possession. Which Irish players have impressed for the Lions? Listen | 43:53 The Western Force have, apparently, a very good lineout record in Super Rugby. That's hardly surprising if they are allowed to throw in down their own side. We saw enough of it on Saturday and the Lions weren't total saints either. But, ironically, a straight contestable throw by Dan Sheehan was actually nicked by the Force. The daft law trial of not whistling crooked throws if the opposition don't jump to compete has obviously put coaches into scheming mode. Everybody is at it now. Glasgow recently constructed a try by putting up a dummy jump while their thrower passed the ball directly to his front man. The front man, who hadn't budged an inch before receiving the ball, strode over unopposed. The Lions' Ollie Chessum contests a lineout with Western Force's Will Harris. Photograph: Billy Sitckland/Inpho It is technically true to say the Force threw the ball in straight, but often it was straight along the line of their own players. This translates as crooked in line-out law as the opposition cannot contest the ball. However, to trigger the referee's whistle, they must put a jumper up. The problem is that everyone knows match officials ignore the offence, so why would anyone bother putting a jumper up? It's completely counter productive. Unlike the scrum, there is a simple fix. It requires the match officials to understand that the throw has to be contestable. If it isn't, then they must not opt out of a very basic law, which is what happened to the scrum. Referees' positioning at the lineout is consistent. Without fail, they stand at the back along the line of touch. A small adjustment would usefully see them stand in line with the last man of the thrower's team. Then, if the trajectory of the ball's flight is directly 'at' the referee, it's safe to say it's not straight. [ Australian rugby's incendiary attitude towards nationality needs extinguishing Opens in new window ] The scrums were an easier job for O'Keeffe. Some were actually perfect, enabling us to watch backs running at backs. When the Lions bench arrived, their scrum put legal pressure on the Force, rather than driving across. Work done with the coaches, by World Rugby referees manager Joel Jutge, has paid an initial dividend. It is early days, but encouraging. Maybe he'll find time to chat about the lineout. The Top 14 final was an epic encounter. It was 33-33 at the end of normal time between Bordeaux-Begles and the eventual winners, Toulouse. The match was well refereed by Pierre Brousset. In addition to a jam-packed Stade de France, the city centres of Bordeaux and Toulouse were thronged with spectators watching on giant screens. It was another demonstration that the northern hemisphere does not have a problem with supporter numbers. However, the unions of the Six Nation must get organised and reject law trials that attack the heart and soul of rugby. It can be done. History shows that in 2009, those unions did succeed in persuading the reversal of several 'southern' radical proposals which were on the cusp of changing the sport irrevocably. Those particular proposals have never reappeared. Rugby fans at Optus Stadium in Perth were treated to an impressive Lions showing. Photograph: Dan Sheridan/Inpho The 40,000 Lions supporters who travel south will guarantee packed houses. They are true rugby followers who understand the nuances and core characteristics of the game. When the tour is over, if Australia still can't manage to sell rugby for what it is to their own public, then they should certainly not be allowed to meddle with it. Ian McGeechan, the foremost coach of his generation, brought Scotland to a grand slam in 1990 and then there were his Lions days. He coached the tourists of 1989, 1993, 1997 and 2009, having played for them in all eight tests in 1974/1977. Yes, you read all of that correctly. In 1974, in South Africa, the invincible Lions were unbeaten. McGeechan's centre partner for the four tests was Dick Milliken, of Bangor RFC, Ulster and Ireland. It was a delight to listen to 'Geech' in studio giving us his insights of how the Lions performed and how they'll go about building their test team. He should know – he's done it often enough. Finally, a plea to World Rugby. Don't do a 'Lensbury' on the lineout.
