Rolland got the call spot on

WAS Alain Rolland passed over for his second successive World Cup final because he sent off Welsh captain Sam Warburton in Saturday’s semi-final?

Or is International Rugby Board referees manager Paddy O’Brien being entirely truthful when claiming that the preference for Craig Joubert was based “strictly on merit”?

There will be many diverse views on these two questions. Those on Rolland’s side will argue that he has been punished for a courageous call that most other refs would have chickened out of making. They will add that his selection as assistant referee is both a sop to the Dubliner and a means of demonstrating he was close to the top job.