ANDY COLUHOUN, Cape Town | Saturday 4.00pm.
SPRINGBOK coach Nick Mallett says rugby should introduce two referees to marshall a sport that he believes is becoming increasingly difficult to handle.
Mallett outlined his idea at a news conference on Saturday to unveil South Africa’s plans for the defence of their World Cup title in Europe in October and November.
”I predict now that one important World Cup match will be won and lost on a controversial refereeing decision,” said Mallett.
”I believe the game is now far too fast and the laws are so complicated and there are so many of them — and so open to interpretation — that the job has become very difficult for one man.
”A study has also shown that on 85 per cent of occasions the penalty count will favour the home side — that can’t be right. On our tour of Europe last season we were penalised at the rate of something like three to one compared to our opponents.
”I saw an experiment with two referees at a match in Stellenbosch before the last World Cup and it was hugely successful.
”People say ‘you’ll have twice as many penalties’ but what you get is the players cheating half as much. That game was so good, there were maybe 10 penalties in the match whereas you now get up to 30 a match.
”If players know there is no blindside to the referee they won’t infringe as much. There are plenty of other coaches who think like me as well.”
Mallett also advocated the use of a video replay referee to adjudicate on in-goal decisions.
”Those controversial decisions at the World Cup will drive the introduction of the ‘third umpire’ or whatever you want to call him,” said Mallett.
”The IRB (International Rugby Board) have said there will be no changes before the World Cup but once that is over they need to get the players, the coaches and of course the referees together to have a look at all the laws.”
South Africa begin their international season with a home two-test series against Italy. The first test is in Port Elizabeth on June 12. — Reuters