Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus has questioned the logic behind World Rugby’s new match officials communication protocols.
Head coaches can now only meet with the referee before a match if both coaches accept the meeting invitation and attend together. Post-match, coaches are limited to submitting six video clips for clarification, with those submissions visible to every international coach and match official.
Erasmus believes the new process could have unintended consequences.
“You can’t communicate to the match officials directly anymore,” he said. “You can’t always have a meeting with them before the game.
“How it works now is the referee for the day will email you asking if you want a meeting, and if both coaches do not say yes, then you don’t have a meeting; and if both coaches say yes, then you meet together with the referee.
“We haven’t had a meeting with the referee [in the Nations Championship] because one of the coaches hasn’t said yes,” he said.
“I don’t 100% understand the logic behind it, although I am not criticising them because they have communicated it to us.”
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Erasmus also questioned the new limit on post-match feedback.
“A while back I sent a very long video [during the 2021 British & Irish Lions series], but now, if you have a query, you can only load up six comments onto the system, but everyone can see it now – all the other coaches and referees,” he said.
“It is now almost impossible to criticise a referee because if you have 12 things that bother you from your last game or the upcoming game, you either have to sit with the other coach and the referee, or you have to put up comments that everyone can see.”
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Erasmus suggested the new protocols may have contributed to Italy coach Gonzalo Quesada’s public criticism of the officials following his side’s defeat to the All Blacks in Wellington.
“I know Gonzalo really well, and he is a good guy,” Erasmus said. “Italy are on the up, and he was probably frustrated with some calls.
“There has been a protocol change and, to be honest, I’m not sure it is bettering our game.”
Photo: Steve Haag/Gallo Images
The post Rassie: It’s now impossible to criticise refs appeared first on SA Rugby magazine.
Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus has questioned the logic behind World Rugby’s new match officials communication protocols.
The post Rassie: It’s now impossible to criticise refs appeared first on SA Rugby magazine. Read More
