Leading New Zealand rugby referee Paul Honiss says the All Blacks should chat more to referees, believing it would boost their chance of winning tight Tests.
Honiss encouraged senior All Black players to follow the lead of veteran Wallaby halfback George Gregan, who has a reputation for persistently getting in the ear of referees, writes the New Zealand Herald.
While New Zealand captain Richie McCaw is well served keeping cordial relations, Honiss said others should become more vocal as it had the potential to sway the rulings of inexperienced referees.
”It’s all about the timing of the communication and whether it’s sewing seeds with the referee,” Honiss told Radio Sport.
”If they win the odd battle here or there, it could result in tries being scored and a Test match being swayed one way or the other.”
Honiss has refereed more Tests than any other New Zealander, although because of the neutrality rule, none of them have involved the All Blacks.
However, it was apparent to him that they could apply a little more ”acid” to referees.
”I think we should be a little bit more cunning and leave Richie to captain the side the way he does,” Honiss said.
”There’s no two ways about it, he’s a very intelligent player and a very intelligent captain.
”But maybe we should have a [halfback] Byron Kelleher or somebody else in the team putting a little acid on from time to time.
”It’s fair to say a guy like Andrew Mehrtens filled that role quite successfully and maybe it’s time for someone else — an Aaron Mauger or somebody who’s experienced — to pick his moments to have a cheeky crack at a referee.”
Honiss said John Eales was the best captain he had ever officiated because the former Australian skipper chose his moments to query a decision.
Gregan, who has been usurped as Wallabies leader by Stirling Mortlock, took the opposite approach his on-field relations.
”Whenever John Eales asked a question I used to prick my ears up,” Honiss said. ”I think Richie’s in that mould, I think he’s a very intelligent captain and I don’t think he should get involved in the gamesmanship that George does from time to time.
”With George, he probably did that far too often and as a result he became less effective as a captain maybe.”
While Honiss encouraged more All Blacks chit-chat, he cautioned that it not be overdone as some officials didn’t take kindly to players who overstepped the mark. — Sapa