Irish rugby great Ronan O’Gara lamented a ‘dark day for rugby’ after Romain Briatte theatrically fell to the turf during a Top 14 clash.
O’Gara oversaw a sixth-straight defeat for La Rochelle as they lost 22-17 to Stade Francais at the Parc des Princes in Paris.
However, the main talking point from the contest was a controversy in the 19th minute when La Rochelle skipper Will Skelton was sent off for illegally clearing out one-time France international Briatte at a ruck.
Skelton made contract with Briatte, but the latter flung his arms into the air before tumbling to the ground in a manner which did not seem consistent with the force he was hit with.
Briatte’s actions left O’Gara furious as the 128-cap Ireland international likened the Frenchman’s actions to football superstar Neymar, who developed a reputation for going to ground quite easily.
“There is a balance to be found between aggression, intelligence and cleaning up,” O’Gara said.
“In rugby, you have the right to clean up a ruck. Unfortunately, today, we are at the Parc des Princes and we saw Neymar.
“It’s a dark day for rugby. To give a red card for that?
“I’m not trying to protect Will because it’s not good, but a rugby player who does that, it’s quite an interesting gesture.”
It was certainly a contest of two halves as Stade Francais enjoyed a 19-3 lead at half-time.
Although La Rochelle out-scored their rivals 14-3 in the second period, it was not enough to complete the comeback.
Such is the impact of his ‘undisciplined’ team’s slow starts, O’Gara has been ‘losing sleep’ over the issue.
Sport DirectSkelton collides with Briatte at the ruck[/caption]
Sport DirectBut Briatte theatrically fell to the ground following the contact[/caption]
“We were very strong for [the last] 20 minutes, but too weak for [the first] 60,” O’Gara said.
“We lack confidence. It was a mental battle at the start of the match, and we gave our opponents too many easy solutions. We’re too undisciplined.
“What are we waiting for? The game starts in the first minute!
“I’m losing sleep over it, but that’s for the long-term, if there is a long term. I hope so.”
Although La Rochelle’s loss leaves them in ninth in the Top 14 table on 38 points, they are just two points away from the play-offs.
However, the fact the loss was the sixth on the bounce for O’Gara’s side leaves those play-off hopes looking somewhat distant.
As for Stade Francais, they moved up to 11th on 32 points, two clear of 13th-placed Perpignan who, at present, will contest a relegation play-off.
O’Gara’s troops will look to get back on track when they face Castres on March 22.