France head coach Fabien Galthie has revealed that referee Ben O’Keeffe acknowledged his subpar performance in the Rugby World Cup quarter-final. The French team, who hosted the tournament, were eliminated in the last-eight stage by eventual champions South Africa. The Springboks secured a narrow 29-28 victory, leaving Les Bleus devastated. The disappointment seemed to linger into the Six Nations as France struggled in their early matches. Galthie expressed his frustration with O’Keeffe’s decisions during the quarter-final and emphasized the importance of respectful behavior towards referees.

Refereeing decisions have been a topic of debate, particularly in close matches where the outcome is determined by fine margins. France themselves have experienced contentious calls in recent wins. Galthie highlighted a specific incident involving Kwagga Smith of South Africa, expressing the need for fair play and adherence to regulations in rugby.