‘Teams want best refs’

10 Mar 2010

Jonathan Kaplan says the coaches and players have opposed the system of selecting neutral referees.

A nerve has been struck with regards to the selection of referees. After the Waratahs’ win over the Sharks last Saturday, there was an outcry of Australian match official Paul Marks.

Firstly, Marks did not award the Sharks – the away team – a penalty try when fullback Kurtley Beale deliberately knocked-on a pass that would’ve given Ryan Kankowski a clear run for the winning score. The Sharks then kicked for the corner but Marks penalised them for obstruction at the resulting lineout.

Sharks head coach John Plumtree has asked Sanzar to review Marks’ performance while the Australian media has quoted skipper John Smit saying his team ‘didn’t get the rub of the green from the referee’.

Kaplan, however, believes this situation has been blown out of context.

‘I think this whole situation has been taken in the wrong way by the Australian media. I don’t believe Smit and Plumtree had a problem with the fact that Marks was an Australian referee. I think their criticism was made in general circumstances,’ Kaplan told keo.co.za.

‘The thing is that the coaches and players have asked for referees to be selected on merit and not on a neutral basis. They want the best referees for the Super Rugby games and we gave them this.’

Kaplan added that referees are also due bad performances.

‘If a neutral referee had to make those decisions in the Sharks’ game, there would be no criticism of not having neutral referees. Then the argument would have been that the ref made poor decisions,’ he said.

‘But just like players and coaches have poor games on the field, the referees also make bad calls sometimes.’

After four weeks of the new law interpretations, Kaplan said he is in favour of them.

‘With these various tweaks in the application of the law, attacking rugby has flourished. In the past, the defending teams were favoured too much. But things have balanced out. Instead of the constant kick-chase method being used, teams are encouraged to keep the ball in hand.’

Kaplan did, however, add that it will take more time for these law interpretations to be established.

‘This system is a product still in process. It’s still too short to say that everything is perfect now, it will take more time for players, coaches and referees to get this is into their system. Every week, referees are communicating with teams after matches to discuss various decisions and situations, so everything will get better.’

With the World Cup coming up, a question of which laws will be implemented comes to mind. But Kaplan believes this will be sorted out soon.

‘Remember, the laws haven’t changed. It’s just the matter of interpretation,’ he said. ‘I still speak the same rugby language whether I’m reffing a Six Nations match or Super 14 game.

‘Obviously some things will need to be refined. I believe scrums and the engagement will be some of the areas reviewed. There are far too many penalties being awarded at the scrum in the Super 14.’

By Gareth Duncan



258 Comments

Pages: « 1 2 [3] 4 5 6 » Show All

  • 101.Blouste: Reply to this comment
    10 Mar 2010, 11:08 am

    @Dawn:

    You got out on the wrong side of the bed again this morning? :shock:

  • 102.Transformation: Reply to this comment
    10 Mar 2010, 11:09 am

    cheetahs: pro handled highlanders game…verdict?

  • 103.cheetah jou lekker ding: Reply to this comment
    10 Mar 2010, 11:09 am

    They will now have a name for the 5-6 play-off at the world cup….will call it the Bledisloe-cup

  • 104.poppa69: Reply to this comment
    10 Mar 2010, 11:10 am

    @Dawn: geees Dawn, defender of all things SA… if someones going to degrade my country Im going to return serve…

    the amount of kiwi/aus bashing on this site is pathetic, it only proves that hatred is still very much part of the SA psyche…

  • 105.cane: Reply to this comment
    10 Mar 2010, 11:10 am

    @Dawn:

    Suddenly all of the Saffas are experts on necrophilia.

  • 106.Bill Reyts: Reply to this comment
    10 Mar 2010, 11:10 am

    Some of my best friends have Ozzie and Kiwi friends ;)

  • 107.Dawn: Reply to this comment
    10 Mar 2010, 11:11 am

    @Blouste:

    What’s your beef.

    I never spoke to you.

    Unless you appreciate the implication that SA is the necrophiliac capital of the world.

  • 108.Blouste: Reply to this comment
    10 Mar 2010, 11:12 am

    @poppa69:

    Come now.

    It’s just some lite hearted bantering…nothing serious…

  • 109.poppa69: Reply to this comment
    10 Mar 2010, 11:12 am

    @Dawn: but you laugh at people claiming NZs the sheep rooting capital.. lovely double standard there..

  • 110.Blouste: Reply to this comment
    10 Mar 2010, 11:13 am

    @Dawn:

    Read my post 107….same applies…

  • 111.Bill Reyts: Reply to this comment
    10 Mar 2010, 11:13 am

    @cane: Is he related to Godzillia – or is that Godzilla. Think I have got it all wrong.

  • 112.cheetah jou lekker ding: Reply to this comment
    10 Mar 2010, 11:14 am

    @Dawn: Chill dude!!!!

  • 113.Bill Reyts: Reply to this comment
    10 Mar 2010, 11:15 am

    @poppa69: Hey buddy – the world makes jokes about sheep and the Kiwis. Calm down! Its a joke not the truth. ;)

  • 114.Blouste: Reply to this comment
    10 Mar 2010, 11:17 am

    @cheetah jou lekker ding:

    Dawn is a lady…

  • 115.Bill Reyts: Reply to this comment
    10 Mar 2010, 11:18 am

    @Blouste: Really!!!

  • 116.Dawn: Reply to this comment
    10 Mar 2010, 11:19 am

    @poppa69:

    “hatred is still very much part of the SA psyche…”

    Yes.

    It is.

    We are a bunch of murderous, hate-filled thugs.

    Happy?

  • 117.cane: Reply to this comment
    10 Mar 2010, 11:19 am

    @Bill Reyts:

    lol……………….that’s the spirit.

  • 118.Bill Reyts: Reply to this comment
    10 Mar 2010, 11:19 am

    We have a lot of jokes in South Africa at the moment. The biggest is Julius Malema and we laugh at him.

  • 119.Dawn: Reply to this comment
    10 Mar 2010, 11:20 am

    @poppa69:

    I don’t find sheep rooting jokes at all funny.

    Don’t assume things and paint everyone with the same brush.

  • 120.Bill Reyts: Reply to this comment
    10 Mar 2010, 11:20 am

    @cane: ;)

  • 121.Blouste: Reply to this comment
    10 Mar 2010, 11:20 am

    @Bill Reyts:

    There is such a fine line between Malema being a joke or just a realy sad person…

  • 122.WOLFMAN21: Reply to this comment
    10 Mar 2010, 11:20 am

    @Bill Reyts: Or is it?

    In all seriousness, every nation has stereotypical jokes aimed against them which aren’t true. One of those which has stuck is that the Welsh/Aussies/Kiwis have been known to fornicate with sheep. Clearly this is note true of all Welsh/Aussies/Kiwis, but it is still fun to joke about.

    This one about SA being the necrophiliac capital of the world is new, but I doubt it will stick!

  • 123.Rum And Maple: Reply to this comment
    10 Mar 2010, 11:21 am

    A NZ man walks down the street with 2 sheep on a leash…

    Another NZ man passes him and says: “Good day mate, gonna shear them…”

    To which the first man replies: “No way mate, get your own…”

  • 124.WOLFMAN21: Reply to this comment
    10 Mar 2010, 11:21 am

    @Blouste: or a really scary and dangerous person!

  • 125.poppa69: Reply to this comment
    10 Mar 2010, 11:22 am

    @Dawn: yep, easy to stereotype isnt it, I see you may have finally understood my point..

  • 126.Bill Reyts: Reply to this comment
    10 Mar 2010, 11:23 am

    @WOLFMAN21: Mate you preaching to the converted. I laugh at jokes cause that what they are.

  • 127.Bill Reyts: Reply to this comment
    10 Mar 2010, 11:25 am

    @poppa69: On a serious matter. What is the 69 next to your nic mate?

  • 128.Dawn: Reply to this comment
    10 Mar 2010, 11:25 am

    @poppa69:

    I have no need to “understand your point”.

    We not all dumb twats here.

    I have never ever posted those stupid jokes here but you have.

    And you revel in it.

  • 129.Bill Reyts: Reply to this comment
    10 Mar 2010, 11:26 am

    @WOLFMAN21: He is mince mate! A joke – in a corner and like jack horner.

  • 130.Bill Reyts: Reply to this comment
    10 Mar 2010, 11:27 am

    @Dawn: :shock:

  • 131.Gonzo Journalism: Reply to this comment
    10 Mar 2010, 11:28 am

    @Dawn: Not only are we a bunch of murderous, hate-filled thugs, we also deal in blood diamonds and collect our meals of the back of a UN truck

    Ayoba-Yoba-Yo !!!!

  • 132.poppa69: Reply to this comment
    10 Mar 2010, 11:29 am

    @Dawn: ok, so if I understand correctly, SA’s are allowed to post jokes but Kiwis arent? should we few international visitors not be able to laugh at our hosts? the way they laugh at us?

    no, we’re supposed to sit here and laugh at all the extremely unfunny jokes about us, yet when we post one or two back its taboo?

  • 133.Bill Reyts: Reply to this comment
    10 Mar 2010, 11:30 am

    @Gonzo Journalism: Seriooooooooouuuuuuuuuuuusssssssssss.

  • 134.gunther: Reply to this comment
    10 Mar 2010, 11:30 am

    Poppa

    Sloppy seconds indeed

    I think you have the wrong window open…

  • 135.stormersboy: Reply to this comment
    10 Mar 2010, 11:30 am

    @fsjakes: I agree with you. It’s the perception as much as anything. If there are no obvious links to any side then it will be harder to criticize the ref for bias, just incompetance in not applying the rules consistantly. And consistancy is what we all want after all.

  • 136.Bill Reyts: Reply to this comment
    10 Mar 2010, 11:31 am

    @poppa69: You can do what you like mate – don’t let anyone stop you. This is the land of the free – ooops that is America I think.

  • 137.cane: Reply to this comment
    10 Mar 2010, 11:31 am

    And anyway……………

    My Uncle Louie, a farmer from Whakatane,
    likes to shag sheep on the edge of a cliff,
    facing the ocean.

    They push back harder that way.

  • 138.Gertjie die Brandweer Ertjie: Reply to this comment
    10 Mar 2010, 11:33 am

    Does anyone know what happened with the “white card” system that they experimented with at Stellenbosch (I think two years ago – not quite sure).

    By the way, I’m sorry that I missed most of the responses to my “anti-bulls sentiment” post, but was pleasantly surprised at most of them, and I have to agree with the “it’s the fans, not the team” reasoning, even though I am one of them.

    BOD, I haven’t been to RT, but doubt if they’ll support the Canes against any local team. From what I recall of GBS and the rest of the okes, they are fiercely loyal to the Bulls side, but first and foremost to SA and the Boks.

    It’s only week 4 of the tourney, but most of our teams are looking better than previous years – and that makes me a happy man.

    If (a) the Cheetahs can build on their win (b) the Lions keep improving (c) ditto for Stormers and (d) the Sharks get rid of the poison (two brothers come to mind) and (e) the Bulls keep their heads low and stay focused, this may be a great year for SA rugby.

    Imagine getting 4 from 4 this weekend! Realistically, I’m rooting for 3/4 – Unfortunately, I don’t see the Lions beating a non-jetlagged Waratahs side – BUT: I’m pretty sure the Sharks will finally get their act together.

  • 139.WOLFMAN21: Reply to this comment
    10 Mar 2010, 11:33 am

    @cane: I read that in the “bedroom tips” section of the Kiwi FHM.

  • 140.Bill Reyts: Reply to this comment
    10 Mar 2010, 11:33 am

    @Gertjie die Brandweer Ertjie: Yes it was affirmative action enough so they called it off.

  • 141.Dawn: Reply to this comment
    10 Mar 2010, 11:34 am

    @poppa69:

    I would say yes, but men seem to enjoy telling each other kuk jokes.

  • 142.Bill Reyts: Reply to this comment
    10 Mar 2010, 11:34 am

    was = wasn’t

  • 143.ufo: Reply to this comment
    10 Mar 2010, 11:35 am

    My 2c…

    I don’t believe than ANY refs are actually intentionally biased… and I’m sure none would admit to it…

    the “best ref” thing can work… but it relies on the best refs being used… and that doesn’t always seem to happen…

    not only must the best refs be used… but they must be seen to be used…

    in other words… if the SANZAR refs association wants this to work… they MUST be seen to be observing, analysing and rating the refs so that the players (and supporters) know they are getting the best refs…

    to pretend that every ref is perfect and never makes mistakes is unrealistic… but to show that refs do make mistakes and their mistakes are recognised and addressed… the public needs to see those mistake being acknowledged, dealt with and (eventually) erradicated…

    the conundrum is that refs want to be seen as unbaised and doing a good job… but will not accept any criticism for doing a bad job…

    the one will happen without the other… good/bad… light/dark… yinn/yang…

    the sad consequence is that the really good refs will never be recognised as such either…

  • 144.Blouste: Reply to this comment
    10 Mar 2010, 11:36 am

    @cane:

    :lol: @ 136…

  • 145.Atreides: Reply to this comment
    10 Mar 2010, 11:37 am

    @Dawn: Do you find anything at all funny Dawn?

  • 146.Atreides: Reply to this comment
    10 Mar 2010, 11:39 am

    One of the funniest sheepshagging routines ever was by Billy Connolly (tho he was referring to Scots doing it)

  • 147.Atreides: Reply to this comment
    10 Mar 2010, 11:40 am

    @Dawn: Yea and women enjoy watching Oprah….no-one’s perfect

  • 148.poppa69: Reply to this comment
    10 Mar 2010, 11:42 am

    @Dawn: like you Dawn Im passionate about my country, and when you have to wade through the jokes and the implications of colluding with the aussies etc on a daily basis on almost every thread…

    well, it wears one down after a while, so I respond in kind by generalising about SA’s…

  • 149.Storm outta hell: Reply to this comment
    10 Mar 2010, 11:44 am

    @ufo: Agreed…but that scaly Phil Waygh heaped a tremendous amount of pressure on weasily Barnes that the ref cracked…and that’s not good for rugby…even the ‘Tahs fans were booing their own team :shock: because they knew they did not deserve to win..!

  • 150.Bill Reyts: Reply to this comment
    10 Mar 2010, 11:45 am

    @poppa69: We still think you great!

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