All Blacks: How Owens went from best to basket case

Rugby analyst·NZ Herald·

10 Nov, 2014 04:00 PM4 mins to read

Nigel Owens, left, struggled with refereeing the test at Twickenham at the weekend. Photo / Greg Bowker

Nigel Owens’ effort shows rugby chiefs face big problem finding refs for World Cup.

Nigel Owens was the last bastion of international refereeing hope. Now he's a basket case just like all the others and rugby's governing body faces a major problem in finding referees capable of performing at the World Cup.

The Welsh referee controlling the All Blacks' test at Twickenham had a bizarre and frankly astonishingly bad game. No one expected him to melt down the way he did but the man many, including the All Blacks, saw as the best referee in the world blundered his way through 80 minutes as if he was determined to prove he had no idea.

Diplomacy gripped All Black No 8 Kieran Read when he was asked about the Welshman's performance.

"There were certainly some interesting calls going on. Whether they were at the hindmost feet, I am not sure, we will have to have a look at that," he said.

Forget his free-for-all approach to the breakdown, the big problem was the big decisions.

Aaron Cruden was awarded a try immediately - no TMO referral, no pause to think, just bang, whistle blown, score given. If ever there was a score that needed a second look that was it. It probably was a try, but England can feel robbed that they didn't get video clarification.

Conversely, the All Blacks can be perplexed Owens ignored the TMO's recommendation of not yellow-carding Dane Coles. Then there was the most amazing business of Charlie Faumuina's try. Owens gaveth and then he tooketh away. And then he gaveth again and by the end of it, there was this awful sinking feeling that there isn't a referee anywhere on the planet who could be trusted to not ruin a big World Cup game.

Last year Owens had charge of one of the greatest games of the professional age at Ellis Park. He was as much an influence on that game as Beauden Barrett. A year on and Owens was uncertain and indecisive. If he couldn't handle the pressure of an autumn test in 2014, what chance has he of holding it together mentally at the World Cup?

Watch: All Blacks: Hansen 'TV producers annoy me'

"No ... ," said All Black coach Steve Hansen after an enormous pause when he was asked on arriving in Edinburgh whether he's had a chance to talk to the IRB about Owens or whether he planned to.

"I haven't. I think everyone, including the people who look after the referees, saw what they saw, so probably best to let them sort it out."

It took every ounce of self-restraint on Hansen's part to hold back. He's not interesting in having a dig for the sake of it - but he is keen to see every help given to referees so they don't make a total hash of the World Cup.

The officials don't necessarily have to be at the top of their craft next year - everyone would be happy if they could just avoid royally stuffing up.

But Owens is the best there is and he was pretty bad on Saturday. Craig Joubert of South Africa wouldn't be far behind, but he too has come right off the boil this year: getting it wrong, badly, in the Super Rugby final.

Romain Poite of France ... all over the place. Jaco Peyper ... ruined the game in Sydney. George Clancy ... yellow-carded Bryan Habana in Perth this year for no reason. Pascal Gauzere ... disallowed a perfectly good Pumas try against the All Blacks this year. Steve Walsh ... can't take charge of the All Blacks.

Who would have ever thought this, but maybe the only one who right now could be trusted to take charge of a big World Cup game, is ... Wayne Barnes.