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If the first five Rugby World Cup games prove to be the criteria, referees and goal-kickers will decide the champion nation. So far there have been 104 penalties dished out, averaging 21 a game.
New Zealand’s Bryce Lawrence has been the major offender with 27 penalties, Australian Steve Walsh and Englishman David Pearson with 22, Ireland’s George Clancy 19, and Welshman Nigel Owens with 14.
Much more palatable in three NRL play-off games with just 30 penalties, or 10 a game, which makes a huge difference to the flow.
That’s an indictment on the International Rugby Board for not jumping all over whistle-happy refs who are penalty driven.
The show-ponies who believe they are number one on the field, and not where they should be at 31.
There’s a valid reason for the refs’ thinking. Kiwi Paddy O’Brien is the IRB’s referee boss, a true-blue show-pony whistler in his heyday.
Not on.
Long-standing colleague Spiro Zavos wrote an accurate Roar piece after the Cup opener between the All Blacks and Tonga.
In it Spiro accused referee Clancy of ruining the game, and requesting O’Brien explain why he was chosen for such an important clash instead of a more experienced ref.
Subsequently Spiro was been unfairly taken to task by some Roarers, and in the street, for having the “audacity” to criticise Clancy.
A timely reminder referees are a protected species. Rarely are they dropped despite their obvious shortcomings. Jonathan Kaplan, the show pony of all show ponies, is an exception, copping a holiday after he stuffed up the Brumbies-Melbourne Super XV clash this season.
But traditionalists, by their very nature, will always support the referee irrespective of how he controls a game.
Which of course is bollocks. Bad reffing can be criticised in exactly the same way as playing and coaching (and even sportswriting).
When you’re wrong, you are wrong – it’s as simple as that.
Which opens up another area of interest.
With penalties to play such a huge role in the outcome of World Cup 2011, even the sharp-shooters haven’t fired.
The world’s second-highest points-scorer – England’s Jonny Wilkinson – landed just three from eight (37 percent) against Argentina in a display that almost cost England the game.
Argentina’s Martin Rodrigues did cost his team with only two from seven (29 percent), in a 13-9 scoreline.
The world’s leading point-scorer – All Black Dan Carter – could only manage four from six (67 percent) against Tonga.
Scotland’s leading point-scorer Chris Paterson five from nine (55 percent) against against Romania.
But Fijian Seremaia Bai (eight of nine – 89 percent), and France’s Dimitri Yachvili (seven of nine – 78 percent) were more in keeping with what’s required.
Let’s see how Quade Cooper and/or Kurtley Beale, fare for the Wallabies this afternoon against Italy.
The final stat.
There have been 72 Rugby World Cup shots at goal for 43 scores (59 percent).
In the NRL – 24 successful shots from 30 attempts (80 percent).
Which simply means any Rugby World Cup goal-kicker who can match the league kickers, will probably be on the winning side.