The “Jonker Wars” have spilled over from the First Test between the Lions and South Africa and are now threatening to damage the entire series. What is more, World Rugby, the governing body of the global game, has only itself to blame for kicking off the conflict.
The hostilities started last week, with World Rugby’s flawed appointment of a ‘home’ TMO, Marius Jonker, as a replacement for the three Test series after withdrawal of the Kiwi Brendon Pickerill. The appointment, which went against the protocol of neutral officials for international matches established since 1993, was criticised ...