Wallabies coach Michael Cheika says a representative of the team will meet with referee Craig Joubert prior to the second Test, despite declaring two days ago he had no intention of doing so.
Cheika told reporters the Australian team had been invited to a meeting on Friday with South African Joubert, considered one of the game’s top officials, which was initiated by the England coaching staff.
It comes after the Wallabies were on the wrong end of a 15-8 penalty count in the first Test, which gave the tourists the platform to win the match and take a 1-0 lead in the series.
“We didn’t ask the referee for the meeting,” Cheika said.
“The rules are that if you ask for a meeting, the other team gets invited, if they want to take up the opportunity.
“We figured we would. We’ll go along and have a listen.”
The rule Cheika was referring to is regulation 15.4.2 from the World Rugby handbook, which states that while coaches are permitted to meet with referees prior to international fixtures, it is only allowed if there are representatives from both teams present – that is, unless one side declines the opportunity.
Cheika didn’t know if he would be going to the meeting himself, or if another Wallaby representative would go instead.
Frenchman Romain Poite refereed the series opening Test in Brisbane and it’s understood England coach Eddie Jones met with him before the match.
“We didn’t know last week, so we will this week,” Cheika said.
Cheika said there was no need to clear things up with the referees as the Australian side knew where they went wrong last weekend.
“We saw where we went wrong so we know what we need to fix,” he said.
“We’ve got to clear our own things up first before we start worrying about that.
“You don’t want to be in a situation to not even give penalties away, and not even leave those things to interpretation.
“Once we do that, it won’t be an issue for us.”
Timbo
Guest
Correct. It's not England's job to check whether the Aussies know an official meeting with the ref is taking place. At the end of the day all this will be so much chip wrapper when the ref blows his whistle, but Cheika does seem to be making a meal out of some fairly simple stuff this week. The whole Simmons is dropped not injured and now the yes but no but yes over something as simple as meeting the ref before the game. I was always under the impression that it was standard practice for every team to meet the ref before the game. Why would you not take the opportunity to glean what's on the ref's mind in terms of priorities and to try and ensure you're on the same wavelength? You guys have observed Cheika via the media far more than me in the build-up to internationals; does he look more rattled than normal?
Lara
Guest
Good point but isn't Barnes English.
Paul
Guest
How is he feeling the pressure from this? England called the meeting and Cheika said he wasn't sure he'd go, but another representative would as per regulations.
colvin
Guest
"The rule Cheika was referring to is regulation 15.4.2 from the World Rugby handbook, which states that while coaches are permitted to meet with referees prior to international fixtures, it is only allowed if there are representatives from both teams present – that is, unless one side declines the opportunity."
Ken Cathpole's Other Leg
Guest
I thought the same thing Fin
Fin
Roar Rookie
So Jones met with the ref prior to last weeks game but the Aussies didn't know about it? That's the way I read it. Is that correct? Not sure that is above board.
Lara
Guest
Don't you mean Eddie has got "up Cheika's ass"
Harry Jones
Expert
Cheika feeling the pressure! Getting all wound up! EJ the master manipulator of media.
Boomeranga
Guest
If England called the meeting why wouldn't all the focus be on them? Eddie is the one doing all the puff and blustering and has been for weeks but you desperately want this to be about Cheika and Australia.
wardad
Guest
Pity it wasnt Barnes doing the Aussie game last week ,100 % record for Oz is hard to beat ! Plus I wouldnt have had that vein in my forehead explode over that 'forward pass".
samitra
Guest
anything that can clarify potential problems or interpretation is good for the spectacle I would have thought. nothing secretive or underhand here in fact it should almost be a standard ritual to iron out foreseeable discretions. if michael makes invitation public ,so what, if he changes his mind you would hope so?
eagleJack
Roar Guru
Cheika told reporters the Australian team had been invited to a meeting on Friday with South African Joubert, considered one of the game’s top officials, which was initiated by the England coaching staff. Both teams will be represented at the meeting as per the rule outlined in the article. England initiated the meeting, the Australians accepted.
CUW
Guest
SMART my as... now if any calls go against england, whether right or wrong Jones and media will point to THIS event !!! even if they are meeting the ref, why the ef do they need to make it a public thingy??? Eddie has seriously got inside Cheika's head. this is like an episode of SUPERNATURAL :P
Lara
Guest
That 's a smart move!
Machooka
Roar Guru
Weirder... part #2!!