By Mark Geenty
November 16th 2009 @ 4:52am
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Dickinson ‘guessed’ on scrum rulings, reckons Hansen
All Blacks assistant coach Steve Hansen accused Australian referee Stuart Dickinson of “guesswork” against Italy and called on the International Rugby Board (IRB) to reconsider the scrum laws.
The All Blacks remained annoyed at the volley of scrum penalties handed Italy’s way by Dickinson in their 20-6 win at San Siro, when it appeared Italy prop Martin Castrogiovanni dominated his opposite Wyatt Crockett who was subbed off in the 59th minute.
Not only did the All Blacks feel Castrogiovanni was boring in on Crockett, but also that he was binding around Crockett’s neck.
“The problem the refs got at the moment is they’ve been told (by the IRB) they can’t have too many resets. So as soon as it falls over if they’re not good at it they’re going to guess,” Hansen said as the team arrived in London on Sunday.
“A guy guessed yesterday and it’s unfortunate because he guessed wrong a lot of the time.”
All Blacks coach Graham Henry yesterday described the last five minutes of the Test as “a farce” as Dickinson reset several Italy attacking scrums and sent prop Neemia Tialata to the sinbin.
Italy coach Nick Mallett was in turn incensed that his side weren’t awarded a penalty try by Dickinson.
“Eighty-thousand Italians thought there was going to be one, at the fourth penalty. But you know what the laws are, we’re not allowed to criticise the referee’s decision,” Mallett said.
South Africa’s Jonathan Kaplan will control Sunday’s (AEDT) Test against England at Twickenham, with experienced All Blacks loosehead Tony Woodcock likely to return from a back injury.
Said Hansen: “We’re comfortable with whatever ref we get and you’ve got to take it on the chin and move on.
“I understand why the IRB want to have less resets, they’ve just got make sure that guys aren’t guessing. If they’ve got to guess then they should just reset it.”
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© 2008 AFP
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bob said | November 16th 2009 @ 10:19am | Report comment
So now the Ab’s want the irb to reconsider the scrum laws? Is this a joke? When the SA boy kicks from long range, they want a different ball, now a different scrum… it’s funny… they won the game but were given a master class in scrummaging, just as south africa were by france… but really, at least the saffers were big enough to admit it was the poor singing of their national anthem that ruined their chances and cost them the game!!!!! Is Aussie the only southern team that can lose or draw without blaming the laws, the anthems and the colour of the shirts? It’s becoming a bit embarrassing. The Ab pack is too weak, and it’s the backs who bail them out every time. Stop crying about it and catch up.
Mr Denmore said | November 16th 2009 @ 10:50am | Report comment
Err, the All Blacks won, with a third string team, three new caps in the backline and a scrum full of people who had played only one or two tests. The Italian tighthead was definitely boring in. You could see if from the overhead angles (which makes me think the ref should have a similar vantage point.)
Jerry said | November 16th 2009 @ 10:23am | Report comment
To be fair, I did notice that prop boring in on Flynn in a fair few scrums. But fair play, cause he was getting away with it.
Dickinson did seem to be guessing for the most part, he always made the call against the defensive scrum.
JamesB said | November 16th 2009 @ 2:42pm | Report comment
It was without a doubt a farce and Hanson is just stating what we all have known for a while – refs do just guess at scrum time, not to mention lineouts and rucks most of the time. For anyone who watched that game – rugby is in a sorry state right now.
JamesB said | November 16th 2009 @ 2:44pm | Report comment
Oh by the way – NZ have returned to No.1 in IRB rankings. We all knew that would happen once they adapted to to Boks ping pong game and the Boks dropped a match in Europe.
ohtani's jacket said | November 17th 2009 @ 1:37am | Report comment
Full credit to the Italians if they were boring in, but Hansen is right — Dickinson was all at sea. It seems the malaise in Australian rugby extends all the way through to their referees. The New Zealand coaches obviously want a better deal at Twickenham, but they’re not very good at sending messages to the IRB. Here’s a hint — it only works if you coach a home union.
Cattledog said | November 17th 2009 @ 1:45am | Report comment
Dickinson ‘guessed’ eh. You have Kaplan this WE. I’d say it’s out of the fat and into the fire! lol
Lee said | November 17th 2009 @ 10:28am | Report comment
Kaplan is far better than Stuart Dickinson.
You know as soon as DIckinson is named as a ref who will the game. Same with Barnes, I find it amazing that the closest games between NH and SH opposition usually involve one of these two.
MarkR said | November 17th 2009 @ 8:26am | Report comment
I watched the last 10 mins again this am just to work out what had been going on.
Initially a scrum from a ruck
Scrums 1 & 2 – Italian 17 (tighthead) was bringing his hips out as soon as the hit was made = reset.
Penalty at scrum 2 with Meesam pinged for going early
Scrum 3 went down, both Woodcock & Italian 3 (actually 17) had head below hips but couldn’t see who initiated it due to camera angle
Scrum 4 – Italian 3 dropping his shoulder ,
Penalty & yellow card on the opposite side of the scrum !
Scrum 5 – Italian 3 angles again & Woodcock gets popped up
Penalty for standing up
Scrum 6 – swivels & a reset
Scrum 7 – Down & reset with Italian 3 on the angle (for a change)
Scrum 8 – Italian 3 on an angle, ball comes out side of scrum & play on.
Then Italy get another penalty & call for another scrum which wasn’t reset, after that ball held in ruck/maul & game finished.
After relooking at the last 10 I can’t believe Dickinson let the Italian 3 get away with it as he was on that side for a fair few of the resets/penalties, I can remember the Bok loosie pulling the same stunt in one of the TN games & getting away with it as well so maybe it’s not something refs look for. Although you’d think having two props almost side on to their locks would be a give away that someone isn’t coming in straight !.
CD – funnily enough I don’t mind Kaplan although I try not to blame refs when we lose as I don’t believe that certain refs have it ‘in for some teams. I believe that they do the best job they possibly can & sometimes being human they just plain miss stuff %-) Now don;t get me started on teh touchies, all they have to watch is the ball going out, lineouts, offside, teh stuff these guys miss/ignore is mind boggling.
Lee said | November 17th 2009 @ 10:30am | Report comment
Completely agree with you in regards to the Touchies – I actually think one of teh touchies in the France- Boks game was the best I have ever seen. He didn’t go looking for attention but did the basics really well.