More to this than whistler
TO the millions watching back here at home, much of it was probably impenetrable, unfathomable.
Jerome Garces was some sort of villain, according to social media, but the truth is the rules and intricacies of the game are fairly foreign to the casual sports-lover.
If you knew the reasoning behind a quarter of the penalties awarded by Garces, count yourself a bona fide expert. And if you enjoyed the first three-quarters of this contest for its quality, you are a serious aficionado.
Let’s face it, before two magical, late South African tries, this was a tough watch – and not just because England lost. And lost comprehensively.
It was a World Cup final in which most of the world did not have much of a clue what was going on for much of the time.
Even those who at least thought a forward pass was a no-no might be scratching their heads.
Outplayed
But I’m sure those watching in South Africa were not obsessing with the referee.
Nor should England fans. Their team was comprehensively outplayed in all departments and Warren Gatland was probably right when intimating their final was against the All Blacks last weekend.
And even for those watching who did not have much of an idea about the finer, subtler details of a superb Springboks performance, there was one clear joy.
Rugby Union was a sport that once symbolised the evil of apartheid in South Africa.
Now a black South African has captained his country to World Cup glory.
That is why – for all the English disappointment, for all the chatter about the man with the whistle – it was still a momentous occasion.