I find the highlighted parts of the report interesting...
After the match, Muir said, "We knew how match time had elapsed when Bismarck came off. We went to fetch him quickly from where he had received stitches.
"According to the assistant referees and the fourth referee there was sufficient time for him to return.
"But the official timekeepers said we had taken longer than the permitted period of 15 minutes.
"Bismarck could not go back on the field at that time because play was in progress. He stood next to the ground while play was continuing.
"To me it was pedantic. That is something that happens when our teams play abroad. We don't need it in South African rugby.
"I don't say it was done deliberately but I say it was petty. The game does not need that," Muir said.
Jonathan Patricos, the match doctor, says there was poor communication between the official timekeepers and the match officials on the ground.
"I fetched Bismark in the tunnel when there was still a minute and a half for him to return," Patricios said.
"The Sharks' manager next to the field and the officials at the table agreed.
"However, the timekeepers informed the referee that Bismarck had been off for longer than 15 minutes and Lawrence said he was not permitted to return."
Now I'm sorry that seems like blatant cheating by the timekeepers... and it would be interesting to find out who they support when not doing their day jobs. I have an inkling that they may not be Sharks supporters. As Dick rightly says this is the sort of thing you expect to happen when you are playing in NZ or Aus but not between two South African teams. Ok, perhaps I am being biased by saying cheating, so if not then a definate attempt by what I feel is not the most important role on the rugby field attempting to make themselves play a bigger part in the match! Unless of course the Lions coach whispered in their ears...
Bismarck went off at 18 minutes and 22 seconds and returned at 34 minutes and 15 seconds. Now that is 15 minutes 53 seconds (if my maths is correct). This does seems pedantic. When does the time stop? When he leaves the tunnel? When he gets called by the doctor? When he stands on the sideline? When he actually runs onto the field? With a 53 second leeway it would make a big difference!! For that matter when does the timing start? When he goes down injured? When he leaves the field, ie crosses the touch line (as it would need to be important if 53 seconds makes a difference)?
I also draw into question the time keeping as a whole as in this game I noticed that although the time for on field play had stopped for an injury the time for the sinbinning of a Lions player continued to countdown. Surely your 10 minutes should be actual play time? Otherwise a ten minute delay for a neck injury and you get straight back on without missing any play?
I'm sorry but this whole thing does stink. Bismarck was sure as hell not faking it, he did have a stack of stitches above his eye!
The real injustice would be if Dick got punished!
EDIT : I see the SA Referees website quotes different times to those quoted on Supersport... makes you wonder how accurate the time keeping really is!
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