French ref dislikes tackle law

French whistler Joel Jutge dislikes one particular rugby law - the controversial tackled ball rule which has produced more words than any other topic on the Lions tour.

The 38-year-old Jutge, who controlled the All Blacks' win over Ireland at Carisbrook three years ago and last year's 59-10 victory over Italy in Rome, is in charge of tomorrow night's first test at Jade Stadium.

In an interview with a European rugby website, Jutge was asked what he would like to change in the game.

"I would revise the tackle law," he said.

"We have to find a solution to bring more fluidity to the game and to speed up the rhythm.

"It's becoming harder and harder to work under the current conditions."

Jutge is France's only official on the IRB's A panel.

A former French championship-winning halfback with Colomiers before injury ended his playing career, Jutge will have learned rival coaches Graham Henry and Sir Clive Woodward's special areas of concern before the kickoff.

Publicly, both camps are giving Jutge big verbal hugs.

"He's a very efficient referee, one of the best in the world," Henry said.

"I think the objective of the game is trying to get quick ball and I hope he refs it that way. We hope he stops people lying on the ball."

Woodward joined in with particular reference to the scrum.

The Lions believe New Zealand referees don't efficiently control the set piece, which the tourists believe is one of their strong points.

"We're looking forward to seeing how Joel referees the scrums," Woodward said.

"The referee is very clear on what should happen at scrum time."

Jutge, who controlled his first test in 2000, between Italy and Romania, became a fulltime official last year.

He identified All Black captain Tana Umaga as his idea of "the perfect prototype of a modern player. Powerful, but perfect in his own technique."

Australian Andrew Cole will referee the second test in Wellington the following weekend and South African Jonathan Kaplan the third in Auckland in a fortnight.