Gatland:we must keep integrity of the game

Warren Gatland said he wouldn’t get involved in a “war of words” with his South Africa counterpart Rassie Erasmus after defeat in yesterday’s second Test, writes ALAN SHAW.

The Springboks coach stunned rugby by posting an hour-long video highlighting what he felt was a string of mistakes by last week’s ref Nic Berry, while Gatland attracted flak for questioning the appointment of a South African TMO.

A clearly disappointed Gatland said: “The last thing we need is a war of words, and being accused of doing certain things.

“It’s amazing to me how the narrative changed with regard to the TMO. I didn’t make one comment leading up to the game on the TMO and yet I was accused of questioning his integrity.

“We’ll keep things to ourselves and go through the proper channels.”

Asked if he thought Erasmus’s antics had put pressure on yesterday’s referee Ben O’keefe, who was noticeably lenient when dealing with certain South African offences, he added: “We’ll have our meeting with him this week and see what the assessors come back with.

“We’ve got processes in place and hopefully World Rugby does look at that video in terms of making sure that everyone follows the protocols.

“It’s important. I just hope it doesn’t get to a situation where we end up with things on Twitter and people airing their views in that way and not through the proper channels.

“I found it quite strange that that approach was taken and it’s definitely not something that I will get involved with. It’s important we keep the integrity of the game.”

Gatland gave hope to the likes of Finn Russell and Zander Fagerson, the only Scots not to have tasted Test action, ahead of next week’s decider, adding: “We’ll look at what we think is the best 23 to put out, whether that’s some fresh faces that haven’t been involved in the first two games to bring some momentum and energy.”