irishwelsh says...

Most intresting decision......Rolland at the Millennium Stadium for Wales vs BaaBaas?!? I'm sure the hate mob will be out!!!

Posted 12:51 27th March 2012

andyroo says...

The professional game is dominated by coaches and the IRB's "choice" of elite referees is determined ultimately by the member unions' ability to supply. The referees in recent years are nearly all unwilling to show any personality, coming across as metronomic and soulless - which is what the coaches demand. Although it is dangerous to draw comparisons with other sports, it is possible for countries to provide excellent officials on the world stage even if those countries "are off the beaten track". There is no reason for the IRB continuing to ignore officials from the likes of Argentina, Italy, USA & Canada other than "politics".

I believe in the "2 strikes & you're out" approach. Though if someone had as awful an experience as happened in RWC2011 with Bryce Lawrence, then "1 strike". The IRB's problem is that it (PO'B?) retired several referees in recent years who were still more than capable, thereby bringing others to the front who didn't have the necessary experience. I don't see replacements short-term for Barnes & Pearson (England) & there are other countries (Wales, Scotland, Australia & New Zealand) to name but 4 who are finding out the hard way that fast-tracking referees through professional academies is playing into the hands of the coaches. Coaches are brutal, happy to discard hopefuls who don't meet their perceived standards. Refereeing rugby is a bit like graduating as a doctor, it takes at least 5-6 years & you're always needing re-training. Coaches won't wait that long, preferring the 1 year short-term Masters approach. No wonder the top end of the game is in a mess, trouble is the impact it's having on the rest of the game.

Posted 18:26 26th March 2012