KEY POINTS:
World referee Paddy O'Brien, the IRB's refereeing co-ordinator, says there should be a crackdown at the World Cup on players questioning referees' decisions.
"Experienced players are taking on inexperienced referees and cashing in on their lack of experience," he says. "We're not going to accept this at the World Cup."
O'Brien says world rugby chiefs have been dismayed at the growing trend for coaches to use the media to undermine match officials and players.
Is Paddy O'Brien right? Should players who question referees' decisions at the World Cup be penalised? Here is the latest selection of Your Views:
Expat Kiwi (West Australia)
While I have much respect for Paddy O'Brien and his comments, it would also assist players and coaches if he were to get his own house in order as well. There is a vast difference in standards between refs in the Northern and Southern Hemispheres. Scrums are still a shambles with no obvious uniformity in the ready, touch, engage time frame. Delays in putting the ball into line outs and scrums are tolerated by some and not others, touchline officials miss numerous forward passes, illegal play, are often way behind play. These are but the obvious, there are many more. So criticise Paddy by all means but sort out your own problems as well. The rules are the rules, to be interpreted equally by all referees, not a variation of the same. A good starting point would be to teach your English, Welsh and Scots personnel what the word "ruck" means, not what they would like it to mean.
Expat (Western Australia)
The time honoured procedure for players who dispute referees' decisions is a penalty, and if the dispute persists: march 10 metres. The only person who can question a decision is the captain - and he can only question, not dispute. It is time this was strictly applied again and the yappers of the game brought into line: The ignominy of a few 10-metre marches would shut them up. Of course refs make mistakes - just like players. It is just part of the game. Instead of whining and whinging when a mistake is made, keep in the spirit of this great game: be a man, accept the reverse and get on with the game.
Mr PkD
Finally, and fair enough! The accusations against Richie, were in my view, attacks on the referees rather than Richie. However, perhaps the Referees should be made more public ally accountable for their efforts, either by publishing the reports that are allegedly done on their performance by the IRB, or simply making them front up to a press conference a few days after the game to explain their decisions, or apologies for any mistakes. The silence from the officials on the often minor but potentially influential mistakes and missed calls gives credence to the tin foil hatted ones who shout conspiracy every time a 50/50 call goes the wrong way. More "damage" is done to the game by allowing everyone to challenge the authority of the officials than would happen if the officials themselves accepting blame when appropriate. Paradoxically being infallible does not always mean being right!
Digger
Me thinks Paddy's ego cannot get much bigger. Since his move to Dublin I sense he wishes Referees to be untouchable, unaccountable for their performance. Sheer arrogance! Get your house in order first Paddy. Get a decent panel of top quality, consistent refs, able to accept a poor decision when they make one (hey, you might just find you are more respected). Create a decent second tier group below them and provide the resource to allow the good ones to get to top tier. Only top tier refs to control matches involving top 8-10 ranked teams playing each other. Allow debate via referees group on decisions - you will reduce the oxygen coaches and players currently get with the media. Players and coaches accountable to the game. Refs need to give their views more. As a fan, I am confused by many decisions and its ruining the game.
Greg P
In most organisations leaders or decision makers are accountable for the decisions they make. The punishment for incorrect decisions comes "after the fact" If a player is sent off it can have an extreme influence on the game & could determine the outcome of a key game. Is it Paddy's intention to reverse the result if he finds an incorrect decision & thus be fully accountable for his referee's decisions? We hear of 14 point wrong decisions frequently yet no reference is made to the "Video ref" Perhaps a captain could have a recall of a decision by the independent body.
Madarab Hasab Omb
I didn't once see Marius Jonker question any of George Greegans decisions in the Melbourne test.
Bruce
What a laugh! Paddy is half the problem himself as the boss of the referees! He ought to be ensuring that consistent rulings are issued throughout games irrespective of the referees involved. Who can seriously understand the whistle blowing and penalties dished out at scrum time, or at the breakdown? Clearly the players and coaches don't! So why shouldn't they speak out? It clear the rulings are inconsistent and something of a lolly scramble. No wonder coaches have these talks with referees before the game; they are simply trying to figure out whose rules are they playing to today!
Alan Wilkinson
Why are inexperienced referees refereeing experienced players in big games?
Chiefporky (Adelaide)
Great article and good strong decision making. Some teams seem to think that if they can't beat a team on the paddock they can somehow influence refs off it. It has been a knock on effect from the farce that saw the Lions tour resemble an America's Cup judiciary system. I think Paddy is great appointment and my Australian "cousins" on a whole agree with me.
Kevy (Brisbane)
If referee's were not so arrogant and actually did their job and stop grandstanding, they will get the respect they deserve.
Rossco (Auckland)
If Paddy's comments are referring to on-field objections by players, that's fine - but players, coaches & officials do not control the media - let him battle the media and tell them what they can & can't print as opinion - which we all know, no-one can do. Why doesn't Paddy also come out and advise the public what review process will be undertaken by his refereeing panel for inept and incorrect refereeing decisions post-match? They seem to be almost untouchable.
Ski
I think it is a backward step. Both sides before any match should be allowed to clarify the Referees stance and interpretations on certain fringe areas. Are we getting a dictator in this manly game? We Fiji Rugby fans still cannot forgive Ref Paddy for his decision on a knock forward by Seta Tawake in Fiji's game against France. We have not received any official apology from this man or may be he is so high up that he cannot come down from his high stool. If it was against a country such as England or Australia, I am sure measures would have been taken against him. For him to last this long in an international arena, as an insult to the organisation. We have been marginalised many a times and it is about time the so called Tier 2 gang up and lobby for the removal of biased referees who could turn the tides on their performance by a controversial decision and waste their 4 years effort getting a team ready to compete. He is a fly in the IRB perfume; so get this bug eradicated.
Ipipiri (Bay of Islands)
Paddy you're lucky your not a soccer referee, your talking about players, captains, coaches, having a bleat, isn't that what your doing now, lots dollars at stake today.
