Great idea Let's blame pea blowers

IT IS a human trait as old as the human species itself.

A trait we learn at the time we manage to get ourselves up on two unsteady little feet, and learn our first words.

It is ... if it all goes wrong, if things turn out bad, if everything's pear-shaped and recriminations are looming ... then you simply blame someone else.

Which in terms of sport means aiming the angry verbals and the spittle worked up by defeat in the direction of officialdom.

Those not involved in assailing each other in pursuit of goals, and tries and baskets ... but tasked with running the very game itself.

The referees.

They are an easy target for two reasons.

They can determine the outcome of a contest through their perceptions and decisions, and because they represent ... officialdom.

So no surprises that there have been rumblings and ruminations over some refereeing "incidents" during the 2011 Rugby World Cup.

One's been described as racist. Another has been described as arrogant. One has been accused of talking too much while another has been deemed whistle-happy.

And now, one of our own, Bryce Lawrence, has been slammed by the South Africans for his overseeing of the breakdowns.

He cost them the game against Australia apparently.

Which I find odd, given the South Africans illustrated from game one in this tournament that they had forgotten how to play attacking rugby and score tries.

Some clown set up a Facebook site and has embarked on an online petition to have Mr Lawrence banned from ever officiating again.

What a dweeb.

The sort of person who can't accept that his side fell short in the passion to win, the power to attack and score tries.

The sort of person who could never possess the mettle and devotion required to do what is so often a thankless job.

Yep, blame the ref.

But here's something remarkable - more people have booed a Kiwi by the name of Quade Cooper than have booed the man who refereed the French win over us at the quarters four years ago, Wayne Barnes.

Is there a wind of change blowing?

So South Africa have gone, but the Australians of course are still in the mix ... although they arguably have the toughest ask this weekend in taking on the ABs (Aches and Bruises).

But that hasn't stopped David Campese joining the growing vocal throng who are storming the streets, flaming torches in hand and chanting for blood, in search of referees to burn at the stake.

But I see what old stutter-step is up to.

It is a pre-emptive strike ... as it means that after the Aussie squad get loaded on to a mournful and silent Qantas flight back to Sydney on Monday morning he'll be able to declare "I told you so!"