This referee was heavily criticised at the 2023 Rugby World Cup (Image: Getty)
Referee Ben O’Keeffe will officiate ’s against , where he’ll be hoping to keep controversy to a minimum. The New Zealand native came under heavy fire during the 2023 for some questionable decisions.
As stare down at the Aviva Stadium on Saturday afternoon, fans will be hoping that some quarrels that surrounded official O’Keeffe during his second World Cup with the whistle have dissipated.
The 36-year-old was fired upon by what seemed like the entirety of French rugby in 2023 and even caught criticism from an England icon for his officiating at the semi-final stage.
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Kiwi O’Keeffe took charge of France’s quarter-final against South Africa two years ago, and a series of decisions went against the hopeful nation.
The hosts crashed out heartbreakingly, losing 29-28 to the Springboks in a match widely considered one the greatest played on the World Cup stage. However, after the tie, French captain Antoine Dupont laid his frustrations for all to bear.
“There’s a lot of frustration and disappointment. If we look again at some of the decisions, maybe there will be even more,” Dupont stated. “I don’t want to sound like a bitter person who complains about the refereeing, but I’m not sure the refereeing was at the highest level tonight.”
The outcry that followed the match mirrored Dupont’s comments. O’Keeffe was booed off the pitch at the Stade de France, and public backlash was so intense it spilt over into the referee’s next match: England’s semi-final against South Africa.
O’Keeffe was condemned for his performance in France’s loss (Image: Getty)
The Springboks once again prevailed, winning 16-15 thanks to a late Handre Pollard penalty – and speaking on ITV, England legend Lawrence Dallaglio went as far as to state after the loss that “O’Keeffe is going to be the talking point as he’s won them the game – not South Africa”.
The Kiwi opened up about the backlash he faced after his decisions in both the England and France disappointments, admitting he reflected on his game and grew from the slander.
“I took a lot out of it in terms of how I normally review myself, my game,” O’Keeffe told Newstalk ZB. “Obviously, there was a lot of continued criticism, someone who’s respected so much like Anton Dupont is, the whole country sort of follows his lead.”
He continued: “I just had to understand what the environment was, what the situation was. It was a little bit uncomfortable the next two weeks in France, in Paris, being in public and that, but it was an experience that has made me stronger as a referee and has allowed me to go to another level in terms of what I want to add to the game.”