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Wed 13 Apr 2016 | 12:58
Referee Nigel Owens puts stroppy Sergio Parisse in his place

10
Comments

Leicester Tigers gave Stade Francais an almighty wallop in the Champions Cup quarter final this past weekend, winning 41-13 in front of their home crowd at Welford Road. Sergio Parisse was clearly a frustrated man, and referee Nigel Owens needed to put him in his place, twice.

While Parisse may be considered the king of Italian rugby, and is often inspirational for Stade Francais too, he has shown that he can be quite animated and outspoken on the rugby field.

Referee Owens was certainly not impressed with his behaviour, so gave him a real telling off.

MORE OWENS PEARLERS: That time he said 'This is not Soccer' | That time he told Mike Brown and Yoann Huget that they were acting immature | That time he told off 30 grown men!

Did it go in one ear and out the next? Probably, but it kept him quiet for the time being, and he did stay on the field until the end of the match, so Owens would consider that a job well done.

The win secured the Tigers a home semi final, where they will host Racing 92, who beat Toulon.

View the official highlights on page two (some regions only)

credit: observatoire béarnais

Posted By: Grant Constable

10 Comments

  • drg
    6:10 PM 16/04/2016

    Agree with yourself and Dan, the 10 metre rule has certainly seemed to become less and less common. It seems to be a very good tool that referees can use. I've had it used against myself, team mates etc and it really makes you think.

    I remember being singled out and we had to march back, as the game continued my mouth got the better of me (nothing rude, just griping) and I couldn't catch the words before they fell out, I looked straight at the referee and apologised and all he said was "watch it.." - I really felt that I'd learned a lesson with the 10 metre backwards march, as above, it didn't 100% stop me, but it was enough to make me recognise my wrongs instantly, quickly enough for the referee to understand I was at least trying!

    I'd actually like to see it being used more - as you mentioned, yellow and red cards do alter the game flow - I am not against this, as punishments should be dished out accordingly, however as highlighted by some, perhaps a yellow is just that bit too strong...

  • danknapp
    8:34 PM 15/04/2016

    Yes, I saw that article too. It was a good point. The other good thing about the 10 metre rule is that it is so quick, doesn't interfere with the flow of the game, and doesn't require the attentions of the OhMyGodIveDiedALittleInsideTMO.

  • canafrikaaner
    9:44 PM 14/04/2016

    Haha that sulking child look

  • dancarter
    5:21 PM 14/04/2016

    Oh come on, Parisse has been a world class no 8 over the last couple of years. You could put Pocock or Carter in that Italy side and they still wouldn't dominate the 6N. Without him there is no way Stade Francais would be top 14 champions, imo. Their squad is nowhere near that of Clermont or Toulon.

  • jimmy23
    1:58 PM 14/04/2016

    Seriously? Parisse is arguably one of the best 8 out there. It's very hard to 'dominate' the 6 Nations when your team has been wooden spoon contenders since their inclusion.

  • 10stonenumber10
    6:58 AM 14/04/2016

    Every dropped pass, dodgy placekicker, scrum half experiment.... it makes a man who works as hard as The Chosen One die a little inside. The only thing he has to show from a 15 year international career is a well stocked cutlery draw and a shiny head from all the stress

    Being told off on global television while wearing a pink shirt is embarrassing for anyone. The only thing that annoys me about Nigel Owens is the school teacher stuff, it doesn't translate across all cultures, and for someone who has dedicated their entire life to perfecting a brutal physical sport, being spoken to like a 10 year old in the playground is both belittling and disrespectful.

    Talk is talk, that is all it is. Hypothetically, if you are making noise at the referee, he is watching you, you aren't going to go and do something stupid. "Excuse me Sir, that 4 letter genital organ of an open side is disrupting our momentum illegally, and as such I insist that he cease and desist immediately pending further punitive action through the artistic medium of a rising left uppercut whilst loudly commenting upon the stamina and flexibility of the aforementioned target's sister in the hotel room last night" is much preferable to actually smacking the ****.

    2 larger than life characters clashing, but only one has the power. Decision is fair, he should know by now that Owens will always have the last word.

  • guy
    6:35 AM 14/04/2016

    Basicly I agree with you. But just maybe Nigel Owens knows how Parisse must feel at this moment in the match and in his career and decides to take this into account and therefor lets this one (walking away) slip. If so, it makes him an even better, at least more human, referee in my opinion.

  • drg
    1:52 AM 14/04/2016

    Probably because he has had such a great solo career, but such an awful team career that he's starting to fray more at the edges..

    Im with Dan though, that'd be worth an answer or yellow

  • daluaine
    9:36 PM 13/04/2016

    I agree with you Dan. I think Nigel bottled the second warning at least. Parisse is a fantastic player but you sometimes get the impression he thinks this more than anyone. I never thought I would ever say this, but I don't think W.... Barnes would have let this go. Parisse was showing direct contempt of the referee ... and the refs reading of that play appeared spot on. Although Rarisse's a great player, he's a shit awful loser. And you'd have thought he would be well practiced at losing by now!!

  • danknapp
    6:35 PM 13/04/2016

    Personally, as a teacher, I'd have bollocked the litt- big shit for walking away from me. Owens should have demanded an answer. Football bollocks from Parisse, the man has previous. Walking away shaking his head, that could have been a yellow and I'd be happy with it. Good to hear Owens being clear about it though.

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