Leading Australian referee Nic Berry has accused Rugby World Cup-winning coach Rassie Erasmus of a “character assassination” as World Rugby slapped the South African with a lengthy ban today.
Erasmus, who led the Springboks to the 2019 World Cup and is now South Africa’s director of rugby, was punished for a bizarre 62 minute video in which he attacked Berry for his performance in the first Test loss to the British and Irish Lions in July.
Erasmus was banned for two months and barred from attending Test matches in an official role for 10 months.
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Erasmus acted as the world’s most qualified waterboy during the heated series as he regularly relayed messages to Springboks players on the field.
World Rugby released an 80 page written judgment while announcing the punishment today, including lengthy testimony for former Queensland halfback Berry.
“Needless to say, the whole situation has been an extremely difficult time for my family and I,” Berry told World Rugby’s judiciary panel.
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“As a match official I understand that our performances will be heavily scrutinised, especially in such a prestigious tournament. However, the public attack on my integrity and character is not something that should be tolerated in any workplace.
“I considered officiating in a Lions tour comparable with that in a World Cup. The appointment is a honour which few achieve. However, due to the actions of Mr Erasmus, my family and I have endured a significant amount of distress and we will only have negative memories of the whole experience.
“I feel that Mr Erasmus engaged in a character assassination of me on social media. I have spent many years trying to build my reputation as an international referee and in the course of his video which was posted online, Mr Erasmus has caused it immeasurable damage.
“Though a small proportion of the rugby community will follow the outcome of this matter, and in the process obtain an accurate account of what really occurred, the wider rugby community will only be aware of me in the context of this incident.
“I feel that regardless of the outcome and any sanctions imposed, my reputation as a referee and person will forever be tarnished.”
Erasmus also used his laptop to show 26 video clips to highlight what he said were mistakes or inconsistencies from Berry and the other match officials that he said cost South Africa the first Test.
https://twitter.com/RugbyOnNine/status/1461107110020849664?s=20
In a little known detail, World Rugby said Erasmus had threatened a match official – presumably Berry – that unless the official met with him, he would publish video footage criticising the official.
Erasmus went ahead and made good on that “threat,” World Rugby said, and the video contained “numerous comments that were either abusive, insulting and/or offensive to match officials.”
“Throughout this whole ordeal I’ve maintained my professionalism despite being the target of an unprecedented personal attack played out in the media,” Berry said.
“I felt that Mr Erasmus’ video brought into question my professionalism and my integrity as a match official and that there was an inference to be drawn that I was in some way cheating as an official, which is obviously completely untrue.
“My reputation throughout the rugby community has suffered immeasurably from his actions and I acknowledge that the impending investigation will likely lead to more public scrutiny and unwanted media attention.
“However, his actions are against everything our game stands for and I feel it’s important to take a stand against such behaviour. I sincerely hope that the outcome of the independent judicial hearing will set a precedent to discourage similar behaviour in the future so that no person has to experience what I have these past few weeks.”
South African Rugby was also found guilty of two charges of misconduct for the actions of Erasmus and also comments regarding match officials made by Springboks captain Siya Kolisi and assistant coach Mzwandile Stick in the wake of the first Test against the Lions.
SA Rugby was fined A$37,000 and both SA Rugby and Erasmus were also warned about their future conduct and ordered to apologise to Berry and other match officials.
SA Rugby said in a statement that it and Erasmus would appeal.
“Neither party will make any further comment until the process is complete,” SA Rugby and Erasmus said in the joint statement.
South Africa ultimately recovered from its defeat in the first Test to win the series against the Lions 2-1, but the contest was spoiled by ill-feeling between the two coaching teams and back-and-forth snipes through the media.