It has yet to be seen if Connacht and Irish winger Mack Hansen will be sanctioned for his furious criticism of referees in the United Rugby Championship (URC). Following the game against Leinster on Saturday, which Connacht lost 20-12, Hansen took aim at what he saw as glaring inconsistencies over the years he has been playing in Ireland, and that Connacht are too often on the wrong side of officials’ decisions in tight matches.
He specifically referred to an incident where Leinster’s newly-signed All Black Jordie Barrett hit a ruck and made contact to the head of Connacht centre Bundee Aki with his own shoulder/head. In the replays Aki can be seen squatting back holding his head.
“Bundee gets a direct hit to the head, it’s quite obvious, no call,” said Hansen. “It’s like we get that every time, so you can hear the frustration in my voice ‘cos it’s starting to get to the point where, honestly, it’s bullshit and it’s starting to get really frustrating for us ‘cos people will say we are an inconsistent team. But, Jesus Christ. when you are getting some of the calls we’re getting like, of course you are going to be.”
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Stephen Ferris, a former Ulster, Ireland and Lions player, also weighed in on the standard of refereeing in the competition. Now an analyst and newspaper columnist, Ferris commented on X following Hansen’s post-match press conference.
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“I’m sure a few Ulster lads felt the same way last night [against Munster]. Some of the officiating this weekend has been exceptionally poor, and has to be addressed immediately,” said the former backrow.
Hansen also referred to an incident involving Connacht outhalf Josh Ioane, who left the pitch for a HIA and did not return.
“He didn’t even look back at it and then Josh goes off with a direct hit to the head again, and I was talking to the touchie and he goes, ‘oh, when you tackle you lead with the head’. That doesn’t make any sense, that’s a penalty regardless.”
There are rules around players commenting on the performances of referees in clause 3.3.13.
“Making comments (including, without limitation, to representatives of the media and/or on social networking platforms or sites such as Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram or similar) that attack, disparage or criticise (and/or conducting it/ himself/herself in a way that attacks, disparages or criticises) the sport of rugby union, the Championship, other clubs or persons, match officials, Pro Rugby Championship, one or more of the unions and/or any sponsor or other commercial partner of the Championship or Pro Rugby Championship.”
It adds: “For the avoidance of doubt Pro Rugby Championship greatly values feedback from clubs and others on the performance of match officials, and set out at Appendix Nine of the championship rules is a Coach Feedback On Referees Form that can be completed and communicated, privately, to Pro Rugby Championship.”
Another potential avenue is for the citing commissioner to have a look at the contact and decide if it is worthy of a citing. If the decision is made to cite a player then the URC are doing something about it and Hansen’s criticism seems valid in that instance.
Nor was Hansen’s the only moment of the weekend in these islands where a referee was the target. Newcastle Falcons’ director of rugby Steve Diamond took a swipe at Bath and Scotland outhalf Finn Russell after Saturday’s Premiership meeting between the teams at Kingston Park.
“I think there was a crucial non-decision or wrong decision, whatever you want to say, just on half time, where they were sealing off for 20 rucks and they eventually scored,” said Diamond. “That was a killer, and then they started well and scored the first five minutes after half time. So, yeah, hey, listen, we conducted ourselves as best as we could.
“The game was controlled eloquently by their number 10, who talked his way through the game, and the referee listened to him. And that’s what happens when you’re a side at the top of the league as opposed to a side at the bottom of the league.”
All of the match officials at the Aviva Stadium were from the IRFU. During the match referee Chris Busby was approached by Connacht captain Cian Prendergast in the first half after Shane Jennings had been sinbinned for body checking Leinster scrumhalf Luke McGrath. He could be heard on the ref mic speaking.
“Two headshots against us but the crowd hasn’t reacted so you haven’t gone and looked at the TMO, yes?” said Prendergast. “But the crowd has reacted, and you have gone to TMO. Just keep that in mind.”
The referees for the Six Nations 2025 were announced last week and contain two Irish officials. Andrew Brace will referee England’s game against Italy and is assistant referee in England’s match with Scotland. Chris Busby has been appointed assistant referee in the round one game between France and Wales and round three game between Italy and France.
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