Desert Dingo
Your post is okay until you try and BLAME Airbus! They do NOT suggest using the Stick Position Indicator for the rotate. It is purely there so that you can see what inputs the PF is applying whilst PNF. The 2/3rds back stick is required and important it will give you the required 2-3 degrees per second, if you apply it smoothly and do not "snatch" it there. (just like you move the yoke on a Boeing or any other aircraft! You should not be using the SPI to give you the 2/3rds position either, look outside and cross check your ATTITUDE on the PFD as you get airborne. Probably what you were advocating in your "pulling......etc" comment.
The fault seems more of a "training" issue / lack of understanding by the person that devised the training for EK.
There certainly was a misunderstanding by the captain in this case and not all his fault, if at all.