Johann van Graan has called for greater consistency in the use of TMO footage after Bath’s Investec Champions Cup dream was ended by Bordeaux-Bègles.
The head coach raised concerns about how foul play incidents are reviewed, particularly in matches played in France, following Sunday’s 38-26 win for Bordeaux at the Stade Atlantique Bordeaux Métropole.
Van Graan was quick to acknowledge the result, with Bordeaux outclassing Bath in their first European semi-final in two decades.
“Yes. All we want is consistency on both sides of the ball right through the competition,” he told BBC Sport.
“I believe specifically that three carries from Alfie Barbeary made direct contact to the head.
RECAP: Brilliant Bordeaux dump Van Graan’s Bath
“I want to make clear that the better team won on the day, but I want to ask why certain things are not picked up when you play away from home in France.”
The match, played in front of a sold-out crowd, saw Bordeaux’s high-tempo, unstructured style overwhelm Bath as the game wore on.
Van Graan, however, stopped short of blaming officials, instead focusing on the broader issue of access to footage for the TMO.
“Three words [points I would like to make]. Congrats to UBB, they were the better side. Number two the officials were exceptionally good today,” he said.
“The main point I want to make is that from a consistency point of view that where every game is played that the TMO gets access to all the footage he wants.
“From my point of view, you want the match officials to know what they are looking at. Whatever decision a ref makes is the final call.”
Photo: Dan Sheridan/INPHO
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