Rugby: Deans happy with referees

Wallabies coach Robbie Deans says referees have got the interpretation of rugby's contentious breakdown area "very close to perfection" in the early rounds of the Super 14 tournament and hoped the northern hemisphere nations would follow their lead.

Clearly enthused by what he has seen over the first two rounds, Deans labelled it as "probably the most positive start to a (Super) competition that I can recall".

Over 50 tries were scored in the second round alone, despite the fact some players and teams were still giving away penalties as they came to terms with the interpretation.

"We are very close to perfection," Deans told reporters on Tuesday.

He believed referees just needed to lift the height of the ruck.

Deans said southern hemisphere referees who had been appointed to officiate in the next set of Six Nations matches had been instructed to "referee the same way that they are here".

The northern and southern hemispheres have rarely seen eye-to-eye on laws, with the former showing scant respect for ELVs trialled over recent years.

He was adamant the current interpretations had struck the right balance between offence and attack despite the sudden surge in try scoring, highlighted by an incredible 18 five-pointers in last week's Super clash between the Chiefs and Lions.

"That was living proof of what is possible. If you're constructive and prepared to play, you've got a chance," Deans said.

He believed that the current interpretation meant referees now appreciated that "they can really influence the outcome" of a match.

"To be honest, prior to this emphasis they had a sense of being resigned to players and coaches driving the agenda," Deans said.

"I think they understand now that they can make a difference."

Deans said referees could now focus on the arriving support players after an initial tackle had been made.

"They can now turn their focus to the arriving support players and insist that they play the game on their feet, because there is no need now to launch with your shoulders below your hips to move bodies from bodies," Deans said.

While no Australian teams are in the top four after two Super rounds, Deans was still hopeful of a local representative in the semi-finals.

He said the Waratahs and Brumbies were the most obvious local contenders because of their playing depth but felt resurgent Queensland could also be a contender following their upset win last week against the Crusaders.

- AAP