Gatland not pleased with choice of

IN yet more fuel to the fire ahead of this evening’s first Test between the Springboks and the British and Irish Lions is the tourists’ unhappiness with the appointment of South African Marius Jonker as the match TMO.

The Lions have already criticised SA Rugby director Rassie Erasmus’ role as waterboy in their match against SA A and they have also claimed that Faf de Klerk should have had a red card in that same match instead of yellow.

While head coach Warren Gatland is known to be furious that Jonker will now be the TMO after New Zealander Brendon Pickerill could not travel because of Covid restrictions, Lions assistant coach Robin McBryde yesterday attempted to be more diplomatic.

“It was a bit unexpected. We only found out on Wednesday,” McBryde said of Jonker’s role.

“There’s a slight lack of foresight because there’s a reason why that position is neutral. “There’s no Plan B put in place. “But we’ve just got to get on with it, really.” It was Jonker who ruled that De Klerk’s punishment for a shoulder charge in the SA A game should be limited to 10 minutes in the sin bin, but Gatland claimed that it was always a red card.

“We have met with the three officials who are officiating on Saturday. We went through everything that’s happened up to date. They’re reluctant to pass any opinion on what’s happened.

“They’re aware of it and they’re confident in the communications they’ll have in the match that between them they will come to the right decision.

“The role of the TMO is pretty final with regards to communication between him and the referee. It is a very important position. I’m sure there will be no issues on the weekend.”

This evening’s match kicks off at 6pm. Nic Berry of Australia is the referee, with Ben O’Keeffe (New Zealand) and Mathieu Raynal (France) assisting him on the sidelines.