Conrad Smith calls for ‘absolute respect’ for referees after ‘vile’ World Cup abuse
All Blacks great Conrad Smith demands zero tolerance towards referee abuse.
Conrad Smith is demanding zero tolerance towards any abuse of referees as New Zealand returns to the Test arena for the first time since losing the World Cup final.
That defeat in Paris led to match official Wayne Barnes copping so much abuse he went home and announced his retirement.
He received death threats, his wife was threatened with sexual violence and his children were also targeted after a game in which Kiwi captain Sam Cane was sent off.
‘We need to be hard on players who cross that line’
All Blacks legend Smith has made it his business to better understand how it feels to be the man in the middle, taking up the whistle and officiating a handful of matches.
The experience has reinforced his belief that for the game to have a future, respect for officials must remain sacrosanct and rugby bosses need to come down like a ton of bricks on anyone who thinks otherwise.
Speaking exclusively to Planet Rugby ahead of Saturday’s first Test between New Zealand and England in Dunedin, Smith made his feelings plain.
He said: “The idea of respect is key in rugby. We need to be hard on players who cross that line. Likewise, fans. There can’t be any tolerance of that.
“It’s a beautiful thing about our game that you go to war then you step off the field and there is mutual respect. On the field there is absolute respect for the referee. We can’t take that for granted.
“If we see it [abuse], be it a player speaking out of turn, or a fan at the game, it should be called out. I’d like to think New Zealand and its rugby followers would know where to draw that line.
“You can disagree, but it should never ever roll over into abuse or worse towards the referee. That is something the game itself should be determined to put an end to and make sure we’re on top of.”
World Rugby take action after ‘vile’ abuse
Since the World Cup, a New Zealand-born man living in Australia has been hauled in front of the courts, where he admitted sending “vile” abuse to a match official and his family during the tournament.
Aaron Isaia pleaded guilty to one count of using a carriage service to menace or harass via online communication. Although spared a conviction he was handed a A$1,000 good behaviour bond for 12 months.
There have been two other cases of Kiwis abusing match officials. Both were minors so charges were not brought but each was required to write a letter of apology after being questioned by police.
According to Barnes, the abuse has gone to the “next level” since 2007, when he missed a forward pass which allowed France to score and knock New Zealand out of the World Cup and awoke the next day to a Facebook group entitled ‘Wayne Barnes Must Die’.
It should be made clear that abuse is a problem far and wide. It is in no way unique to any one country.
Nonetheless Smith, who says he has been “well respected.. so far!” whilst refereeing, believes it is incumbent on all to give the matter their full attention.
“Through my role with International Rugby Players [the global representative body on issues of importance to pro rugby players], we ask players what their issues are with the game, what we can do better,” adds the 42-year-old.
“Something that came back from players themselves was that they pride themselves on the way they are respectful of referees.
“That’s not to say we get it right all the time, that players aren’t guilty at times. But when it comes to referees we want the game to be hard on anyone – players, coaches or fans – who cross those boundaries.”
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Smith on All Blacks v England
Respect has not always been the common theme on England’s visits to the Land of the Long White Cloud, but the Scott Robertson reign has begun with words of praise, even admiration, for the visitors.
Smith, who won six of his seven meetings with England during a wonderful 94-cap playing career, says he has faith in Robertson and that, from what he saw in Super Rugby, where four Kiwi sides made the semi-finals, the new head coach will have a “very good” team.
But he adds: “It might be that England put them under pressure and a lack of experience is exposed early on.
“What adds to anticipation around the series is there are a lot of unknowns. If it was the same NZ coaching group and the same block of players I think confidence would be high.
“But the reality is this is really a new group and, although we expect them to function well, they’re playing an English team that will pose problems we haven’t seen. It will be much different from Super Rugby.”
Smith says that in recent times, particularly since South Africa left Super Rugby, there is an understanding among Kiwis not so much of a power shift but that the rugby being played in the north is more competitive than what we have down here.
“We don’t like to admit that,” he adds.
“But the fact is Super Rugby is just New Zealand and Australia and while Australia have looked better this year, in all honesty it’s hard to compare with having the English, Irish, French, Scottish, Welsh, Italians and now South Africans in the same mix.”
