Wynne Gray: Refereeing revives dual-flanker experiment

The All Blacks tried a dual-flanker system last year when captain Richie McCaw was injured.

Rather than promote specialist opensider Tanerau Latimer for his debut, the selectors chose to use Adam Thomson in that jersey with Kieran Read on the blindside. They were to share the scavenging duties.

It was a tactic the All Blacks tried with the same players against Scotland at Murrayfield in 2008. Evidence of its success was mixed but in the absence of McCaw, the experiment was repeated last year at Carisbrook.

Thomson broke a hand and had to be replaced but before he departed, the left and right breakaway scheme offered little hope of longevity. It did not seem to fit the New Zealand rugby psyche or the well-worn methods of balance in the loose forwards.

This season, though, the jobshare concept may get another international chance. Crusaders flankers McCaw and George Whitelock will trial the idea against the Blues tonight to see if they can set up a twin-steal operation on each side of the park.

Rugby is being refereed as the rules intended with tacklers forced to release their victims and get to their feet before they contest the ball. That has meant fewer turnovers and a change in impact for a solitary scavenging flanker.

The second defender to the breakdown has become the key player in trying to claim some turnover ball. The Crusaders have decided to use a special recovery agent either side of the field to test that impact.

In the Southern Hemisphere at least, we are seeing more of a legitimate contest at the breakdown and an improvement in the scrum engagements as well.

It remains unclear how the interpretations will work when the All Blacks host tests against Ireland and Wales in June. There is apparent agreement to the changes in both hemispheres but empirical evidence would suggest otherwise.

However, in the Super 14 it seems the players and officials are starting to get on a similar wavelength.

Sides in possession should not have immunity but they should be allowed to use the ball immediately when they are tackled.

The key word is immediately. We are still seeing players pass the ball off the deck long after they have been tackled, or being allowed to hold on to it until the cavalry arrives.

Scrums remain a work in progress and it is an especially awkward area of the game for officials to apportion blame. There is some reluctance to adjudicate but there should be no problems ruling offside when players chase kicks.

Assistant referees also need to be more vigilant in keeping defenders back. Too often they are compliant near rucks and the referees' gaze while several teammates have cribbed a metre in midfield and stifle attacking moves.