New Zealand's last man standing at the World Cup, Steve Walsh, was cut off at the knees by Argentina, who accused the Kiwi whistleblower of performing inconsistently during their 37-13 semifinal loss to South Africa yesterday.


Walsh dished out two yellow cards in the fiery match for foul play and his performance appeared sound. But that didn't stop Pumas coach Marcelo Loffreda from giving him a tongue lashing.

"We could not understand the referee in the first half," Loffreda said.
"I think that they never explained what was going to happen in the mauling and two times we were called for obstruction.
"South Africa did (the same thing) in the second half and they were not called for obstruction and we could not understand it."

Walsh penalised the Pumas for truck-and-trailer infringements twice. This negated Argentina's powerful mauling game but the penalties appeared legitimate and, tellingly, South Africa voiced no complaints.


Referees have been the focal point for much criticism during the tournament.

Follow up:

Fallout from Englishman Wayne Barnes' performance in last weekend's quarterfinal between the All Blacks and France is only now starting to dissipate.


While Loffreda's comments don't come close to the vitriol aimed at Barnes, they will still put a bitter taste in Walsh's mouth.

"He wasn't saying when it was hands off and we are used to hearing this. This is a difference between the two hemispheres," the coach said.
"Steve Walsh is from the southern hemisphere and he wasn't following what we were used to hearing so as a result of this we felt quite disconcerted. Nonetheless, that is not the reason for today's match."

Jet heeled wing Bryan Habana scored two of South Africa's four tries, bringing his cup try tally to eight - level with the tournament's record posted by Jonah Lomu in 1999.
Lomu was at yesterday's match played before another packed house. Forty-six matches have now been played and though South Africa were expected to progress to the final few predicted England would get this far.

South Africa thrashed England 36-0 in pool play just a few weeks ago but Springboks coach Jake White said that comprehensive victory would count for little.

"It's a World Cup final, so it's a lot different," White said. "England have a lot of players who played in the cup final in 2003, and it's a massive advantage for them to win away from home against Australia in that final.
"The preliminary matches are irrelevant - it's a whole new ball game next Saturday (Sunday morning NZ time)."

White said England were a more formidable force now that Jonny Wilkinson was firing on all cylinders.
However, the Springboks were hoping they would have their own secret weapon close at hand during the final at Stade de France on Sunday.

"The vice-president (of South Africa) told us that (president Thabo) Mbeki is coming and I'm pretty sure that (Nelson) Mandela might come too, which would give us two extra guys in the squad."

Source: Stuff, NZ