Warren Gatland: Ref almost cost us the game

Joubert was a touch-judge at the Brisbane Test with Romain Poite, who will referee the third Test.

“Craig is a very experienced referee and it will have been good for him having been assistant referee on the sideline to know about the pace of the game,” said Lions coach Gatland.

“He was good in the support he gave to the referee and I’m looking forward to having him.

“Chris Pollock wants to have quick ball and to encourage the attacking team to play but, even so, we found it frustrating.

“You go through that experience and as coaches and players you learn a lot. I’m sure the referee has learnt as well.”

The Lions are more upset with Pollock, a New Zealander like Gatland, than their relative politeness implies.

Gatland considers Pollock to have been at least as important as the Wallabies in sending the Lions so close to defeat. But he has to beware, as Pollock will be running touch for Joubert in Melbourne and Poite in Sydney.

“Some of our players found it difficult to understand it when they were penalised,” said Gatland.

“Mako Vunipola was penalised for coming in from the side when he was part of the tackle. That could have cost us the game. One of the strengths of Brian O’Driscoll is his ability to get on the ball and create turnovers. But he felt he wasn’t able to do that because he had been penalised twice and knew if he was again he would get a yellow card. So he had to stay away from the ball.”

In each of these cases, the Lions got away with it, but the penalties should have been decisive in a two-point game.

Article source: http://www.yourlocalguardian.co.uk/sport/10503263.Clifford_leads_England_to_junior_world_rugby_glory/

Warren Gatland: Ref almost cost us the game