KEY POINTS:
It's Australia's most entertaining contribution to the Super 14 rugby semifinals this weekend - David Nucifora versus Stuart Dickinson.
Blues coach Nucifora was positively glowing yesterday about the appointment of No 1 Australian referee Dickinson for their semifinal against the Sharks at Absa Stadium on Sunday morning.
It was a far cry from the figure who confronted Dickinson at halftime when the two teams last met at North Harbour Stadium four weeks ago.
The Sharks emerged 32-25 winners and Nucifora was steaming over their uncensured off-the-ball tactics. He also called for refs to be more accountable.
Nucifora has clearly cooled since.
"We're all on the same page now, good mates," the former Wallabies hooker said of Dickinson. "I'm happy with him, he's an experienced referee and he'll call things as he sees it."
Nucifora's true feelings possibly seeped out when asked if Crusaders coach Robbie Deans was right to call for the best - rather than neutral - officials for Super 14 playoff games.
"I'd probably agree with him but those decisions have been made ... "
The performance of Australian referees has come under the spotlight as the competition nears an end.
Dickinson will be the only Australian whistler at this year's World Cup yet compatriot Matt Goddard is deemed good enough to control Sunday's other semifinal between the Crusaders and Bulls at Pretoria.
Touch judge James Leckie made a dreadful blunder when Blues hooker Keven Mealamu scored a try off a quick throw-in with the wrong ball against the Western Force last weekend. Yet Leckie is back running the Blues' touchline again this weekend.
If there is a repeat of the Sharks' perceived obstruction illegalities on Sunday, Nucifora won't be relying on referee intervention. "If you can't beat it, join it mate. Get into it."
Blues captain Troy Flavell will try to maintain his side's discipline.
They were guilty of backchatting Dickinson a month ago, with another Australian by birth, halfback Steve Devine, prominent. Second five-eighths Sam Tuitupou was sinbinned for punching lock Johan Ackermann.
Flavell said his team would be more focused. "You just have to roll with his decisions, you can't change anything so you just get on with it."
Meanwhile, Devine ran freely at training yesterday, after receiving a knee to the back late in last Friday's win over the Western Force.
The replacement for injured duo Luke McAlister and Tuitupou at second five-eighths was no clearer courtesy of Nucifora's comments on the issue. "We've got a lot of guys who can play different positions so we've got some variables there."
* The Blues have decided to restrict media interviews in the wake of Ali Williams being sent home for indiscipline. Communications manager Jo Coleman flew out especially yesterday to act as an adviser while chief executive Andy Dalton delayed his departure until today so he could liaise further with Williams.
- NZPA
