/ 8 April 1999

NO FOULS FOR REFS

AUSTRALIAN rugby union chief John O’Neill said Wednesday he will seek a fair selection process for referees at October’s World Cup during next week’s International Rugby Board meeting in Buenos Aires. ARU managing director O’Neill wants the IRB to establish standard worldwide interpretations of the tackle and advantage rules. There has been concern here that referees will be marked down by IRB assessors, jeopardising their chances of officiating at the World Cup in Britain, if they follow the traditionally free-flowing rule interpretations of the Southern Hemisphere rugby nations. Players and coaches are concerned about whether they will have to adapt their tactics and game plans to suit Northern Hemisphere rule interpretations at the World Cup.