Former Irish referee Owen Doyle has criticised the contrasting approaches to officiating in the northern and southern hemispheres.
Writing for The Irish Times, Doyle argued that the recent Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry series between the Springboks and All Blacks highlighted a significant difference between the way matches are officiated.
“Contests for possession are the unique identity of rugby union, its essential heartbeat,” he wrote. “However, Super Rugby Pacific refereeing favours the team in possession to such an extent that it is becoming increasingly difficult to get the ball back.
“Teams must be allowed opportunities to contest for the ball, to regain possession. These are crucial contests, which do not exist in rugby league, where a team must hand it over to their opponents after six tackles, so that the others can ‘have a go’, so to speak. Is that really what World Rugby wants? Because that’s where it’s heading.
“A core principle of union is being left behind, forgotten: that continuity of play is not, repeat not, continuity of possession. And, unsurprisingly, lineout illegalities continue unabated. Teams flout the law, unhindered by fear of a sanction.”
ALSO: Hansen, Mallett slam ‘Please call me’ scenes
Doyle used Australian referee Angus Gardner’s handling of the second Greatest Rivalry Test in Cape Town as an example, particularly the build-up to centre Jesse Kriel’s early try.
He argued that Bok players left the lineout illegally before joining flank Siya Kolisi to establish the maul from which No 8 Jasper Wiese eventually broke away, and that Wiese was then “protected” on the ground by a teammate who prevented a fair contest.
“Angus Gardner is not alone in meticulously setting up the lineout, and then ignoring the law completely – it’s an absurd farce,” Doyle wrote.
PLUS: Ex-Wallabies captain calls for ref ban
Doyle was equally critical of the All Blacks, accusing them of regularly throwing to the front of the lineout in a way that denied opponents a genuine contest.
“It’s hardly a throw-in, more of a pass, really,” he wrote. “In a fully formed lineout it is beyond belief to see how it can be construed as a legitimate, contestable throw.”
Doyle believes World Rugby must act.
“The virus must be stopped before it spreads,” he concluded.
Photo: Grant Pitcher/Gallo Images
The post ‘Stop Aussie, Kiwi refereeing virus’ appeared first on SA Rugby magazine.
Former Irish referee Owen Doyle has criticised the contrasting approaches to officiating in the northern and southern hemispheres.
The post ‘Stop Aussie, Kiwi refereeing virus’ appeared first on SA Rugby magazine. Read More
