Perhaps it's time referee performances are put under as much scrutiny as players and coaches, writes Wynne Gray
KEY POINTS:
No prizes for guessing the hot topic at this week's conference call for New Zealand referees. Paul Marks' oversight last weekend brought a stack of issues back to the table for the men with the whistles.
Marks' reluctance to consult any of his colleagues in the final confusing
moments of the Hurricanes 13-13 draw with the Sharks, has prompted the sort of reaction last associated with Wayne Barnes in Cardiff.
The "off with his head" mob were vociferous, the more sensible "please explain" lobby were also heard. The only person wiping his brow in some relief might have been Brent Murray, who was the designated television match official somewhere on high in the Cake Tin.
When Marks chose not to go upstairs to check whether to whistle for a try, a penalty try or full-time, he reignited vigorous debate about rugby's officials.
* If referees were going to be accountable, would Marks have his future appointments reviewed?
* Should referees be appointed on merit rather than nationality?
* Why protect officials from media inquiries about their rulings?
* Should the TMO judge any footage leading up to a verdict about a try?
* When would the "assistant referees" live up to their new title?
It would not be rugby without persistent grizzles about referees and their application of the rules. Winners and their supporters excuse most of the head-scratching moments while the losers bemoan the ubiquitous injustices.
This season, the Australians have been copping most of the flak. Since last year's World Cup they have lost the experience of Peter Marshall, Scott Young and Andrew Cole and their replacements have yet to step up strongly to the plate.
It is a cyclical problem and Marks' faux pas just topped a pile of laments in New Zealand this year about him, Brett Bowden, Matt Goddard and James Leckie.
"Referees are a secret society, they always have been," Peter Thorburn said. "Players and coaches lose their jobs so you have got to wonder why referees are not put under similar selection criteria."
Thorburn was the original Super rugby commissioner in New Zealand for the 1996 start of the professional series when he said the referees available were far more experienced.
"Look at them now," he said. "Marks looked like he was flummoxed from the time one of his rulings was overturned by a touchjudge [assistant referee]. He was out of his depth."
In mourning of that drop in standards, Thorburn acknowledged the difficulties referees had when each decision was scrutinised from every possible angle by television cameras.
It is rare to see referees demoted to light duties as George Ayoub and Bowden were last season after their work was assessed. There has been a similar mystery about Marks' future involvement with the whistle, though he is listed as an assistant this weekend.
Television's all-inquiring lens has changed many of rugby's dynamics. Generally spectators can only attend one game in the weekend but for those whose blood still boils about every match, that attendance would often mean they missed coverage of following fixtures.
Clearly, many choose to watch the Super 14 from the safety of their living rooms where they get an outstanding close-up view of the action without having to resort to the binoculars and "what happened there?" inquiries of other spectators.
And, of course, television reveals a great deal that match officials miss.
Thorburn sympathised but he also wanted the officials to rule according to the laws not their interpretations of the rules.
"Like traffic officers, they are there to administer not make up the road code," he said. "I think they are hitting the ball carrier too hard, they are reluctant to allow him more time to release the ball."
Blues coach David Nucifora has been a regular critic of Australian referees' rulings at the breakdown while Force coach John Mitchell had similar gripes with Kiwis Lyndon Bray and Steve Walsh.
Privately referees mention the troubles they have adapting their ingrained instincts to the experimental law variations; though players show similar difficulties, kicking out on the full which takes possession back into their 22.
On the sort of contentious moment Marks faced last week, New Zealand referees coach Colin Hawke said he should have asked for help.
"The rule for a referee is to take a bit of time out and go through the check-list which in this case would have been to go first to the assistant referee, and if he couldn't help, you could certainly go upstairs."
Television's influence should be embraced rather than fended away otherwise referees will be consistently exposed to ridicule.
Wynne Gray's suggestion to the lawmakers
* Two referees should be used so they can get to each breakdown and detect the villains better.
* Referees should be allowed to go "upstairs" whenever they like.
* Interactive rugby should be encouraged with referees wearing microphones to explain decisions to the crowd.
* Simplify the rules but enforce them.
