WILLIAMS MEETS REFS

THE Australian Rugby Union (ARU) yesterday ignored a plea by their New Zealand counterparts to censure New South Wales coach Matt Williams for meeting with referees before Super 12 matches. ARU MD John O’Neill said there was no law in place preventing the meetings called by Williams before the Waratahs’ last two matches in New Zealand. The New Zealand Rugby Football Union (NZRFU) asked the ARU to take action over Williams’ meeting with SA referee Andy Turner before New South Wales lost to Wellington 13-7 last Friday. This is two weeks after Williams met with the referee before a mathc with the Otago Highlanders. O’Neill maintains coaches are allowed to seek individual meetings with referees.

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