Peyper could get elbow after prank
South AfricAn referee Jaco Peyper could miss out on the chance to take charge of a World cup semi-final this weekend after World rugby opened an investigation into a photo with Welsh fans in which he appeared to mock france lock Sebastien Vahaamahina.
An apologetic Vahaamanina yesterday announced his retirement from test rugby at the age of 28, admitting: ‘My desire and aggression got the better of me.’ But that didn’t stop the french rugby federation vice-president describing the photograph as ‘shocking’. Peyper was pictured with a raised elbow, the action that led him to dismiss Vahaamahina in the second half of Wales’ 20-19 win over france on Sunday. World rugby launched an investigation ahead of confirming the match officials for this weekend’s semi-finals today. ‘World rugby is aware of a picture on social media of referee Jaco Peyper with a group of Wales fans taken after the quarter-final between Wales and france in oita,’ the governing body said a statement. ‘it would be inappropriate to comment further while we are establishing the facts.’ Peyper’s potential demotion could be good news for British referees Wayne Barnes and nigel owens, who could be asked to take charge of Wales versus South Africa and England versus new Zealand respectively.
England would not be unhappy if Peyper was passed over as the official has a history of making contentious calls that have benefited the All Blacks. Wales coach Warren Gatland played down the controversy, saying: ‘People like to make mountains out of molehills. he’s posing with a few fans and he’s making a bit of a joke about the incident in the game. ‘how people interpret that is up to them.’