KEY POINTS:
Coaches under pressure won't be allowed to use referees as their World Cup scapegoats, IRB refereeing chief Paddy O'Brien warned yesterday.
The World Cup's top referees concluded a two-day meeting in Paris to formulate their plans for the tournament which kicks off on Saturday.
Coaches of every country will feel the pressure of expectation but O'Brien said that blaming referees would be unfair.
"I reckon we will have a high standard of refereeing at this tournament because we've got a world-class bunch of officials. But we don't want coaches pressurising them before games just because they're under pressure.
"Referees can become an easy scapegoat for under-pressure coaches and that's not acceptable. Coaches going angry in the media has been a problem and it's got to stop.
"If they want to come to me and discuss things, they will be given a fair hearing. There is a procedure to go through and I advise them to follow it.
"But I'll say now, I expect the officials to referee what they see in front of them at this tournament and nothing else. We won't be taking any notice of what might have been said in the media."
O'Brien revealed there will be a crackdown on what he called "players hanging around offside at the rucks and mauls".
"We will tighten up there," he said.
He also talked of the recent contentious decisions made by television match officials at several internationals concerning the awarding of tries. "We have to make sure we use the technology properly and we want accurate decisions. We haven't used the best equipment at some recent games but I am confident this won't be a problem.
"The best referees know when to give a decision and when not to. I want the referees at this tournament to express themselves and enjoy it. I also want this World Cup to be won by the best team on the field, not by refereeing error."
Englishman Tony Spreadbury will be the first official in action when he takes charge of France against Argentina in the cup's opening game in Paris.
* Peter Bills is chief rugby correspondent for Independent News & Media
