BUT, those who are saying “How come he didn’t come out and say anything about Kaplan” or Alan Lewis or Joubert or whatever other incident they can think of are missing the fact that the IRB just last week announced that collapsing and reset scrums would be one of the chief things refs were going to be concentrating on. Given that, and the fact that less than a week later a full 10 minutes of a match was devoted to an extended period of controversial decisions, I think he was right to point out that the conventional wisdom in respect of that incident was actually wrong.

How are the referees not subject to open critiques? If anyone in the press want to have a crack at a player they can. If anyone in the press want to have a crack at a referee they can.

But how often do coaches and players have a full on crack at other players and coaches publicly? Sometimes but not often. Referees are only protected from critiques from current players and coaches. Why? Well, if the referee is fair game, surely he is entitled to right of reply, no? Would you like to see referees publicly having a crack at current players in the press? That’s only fair, right?

How is rugby well served by everyone fighting their battles out in the newspapers and websites? It isn’t.

And for this reason the referee is open to criticism from all and sundry, expect current players and coaches (and presumably, the referee’s manager!)

Will the man’s apologies never end?

Mind you, I’m not surprised such diatribe has emerged from an organisation as the IRB…only surprised someone like Paddy wasn’t above such things.

Over the years criticism of players has generally resulted in improvement of standards. The absence of criticsim of referees has produced the present parlous standards.

Scottmit, please think again