‘He didn’t want to pay France’: Who is Ben O’Keeffe, the critical referee who returns in the semi-final
An ice-cold inflatable pool spills onto the locker room floor at Beaujoire Stadium. Partially underwater, three men wave their beer bottles and offer their best smiles for the photographer’s lens. Referee Ben O’Keefe posted this photo on his Instagram account to share his and his assistants’ privacy after the last Rugby World Cup group match between Argentina and Japan in Nantes. But since Sunday evening, the posted comments have become a digital manifesto for many France XV supporters angry at the man who blew the whistle on New Zealand.
In the eyes of part of the French public, the official became responsible for the early elimination of the Blues against South Africa in the quarter-finals (28-29). His fault? Having allowed Cheslin Kolbe to block Thomas Ramos’s conversion, not penalizing Eben Itzeth for his interception, adjudged to be attacking through part of the field and, above all, allowing the world champions to slow down the clashes.
“Not at the desired level,” said French captain Antoine Dupont, who was particularly upset at the press conference. A series of controversies did not prevent FIFA from appointing the 34-year-old to officiate the Springboks’ semi-final against England on Saturday.
“We’re talking about one of the top four referees in the world, he’s world class,” says Adrian Marbut, who runs the top 14 list. In January, the latter was one of Ben O’Keefe’s assistants in the amazing Race 92. -La Rochelle (39-36) at Paris La Défense Arena to adapt to the Six Nations tournament in which he officiated. “Before the game, he sent videos to various assistants to prepare for the game,” he recalls. On the big day, he showed us clips from other meetings and asked us what we were whistling to find out our philosophy. »
He came to Sarthe on the 16th
“During the meeting, I found him very calm, and very attentive to the players, more than we Frenchmen can be. He responded to everyone who came to ask him for clarifications, confirms Adrian Marbut. We had dinner together after the meeting, and I remember him as a very kind and smiling man. He arrived before “Many days to enjoy our country, not just the day before the match. He loves this country, and I think it is difficult for him to get these comments. He did not want to pay France.”
When Ben O’Keefe was sixteen, he had the opportunity to spend six months in Sarthe, as part of a school exchange. He attended Le Mans Rugby Club. “From memory, I think he played a scrum,” recalls his coach at the time, Frédéric Pratt. He was a good little player. We wanted him to get a license, but that failed because he didn’t have a Social Security number. »
He has maintained his command of our language, as he demonstrated in an interview with the National Rugby League in January. “He didn’t want us to speak English, and insisted on speaking French at Racing 92-La Rochelle,” confirmed Adrian Marbut.
This trained ophthalmologist – co-founder of oDocs Eye Care, a company that wants to “end avoidable blindness” – found himself targeted by French supporters. So much so that, in the face of online harassment, he deactivated comments on the Instagram post where he announced his presence in the quarterfinals. “My inbox is full. I only understand French to some extent, which doesn’t help,” he confirmed in an interview with Newshub on the terrace of a Parisian café.
Broken for cash
“I know we are never perfect as referees. We make mistakes in matches,” Ben O’Keeffe slips in the same interview, almost a reproach for his performance at the Stade de France. Although he is still young, he is used to criticism.
A global reference and named New Zealand referee of the year for the past two years, the referee had already been targeted by former England coach, Eddie Jones, in 2020. “We played 13 against 16,” he said afterwards in a match against the Welsh. “Keefe painted yellow and red against his troops. Before admitting his mistakes, he spoke of a ‘good young man.'” He may still be being closely watched on Saturday evening in Saint-Denis.
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