World Rugby lashes underperforming referees in extraordinary statement
The blazer brigade at World Rugby have confirmed what players and fans have known for years - rugby referees just aren’t doing their job well enough.
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It’s what every rugby player and fan has known for years but now it’s official: the referees aren’t doing their jobs well enough.
And that’s the damning verdict from the blazers in charge of running the game after World Rugby issued an embarrassing statement admitting the whistleblowers hadn’t been up to scratch in the opening round of matches in the World Cup.
“Following the usual review of matches, the match officials team recognise that performances over the opening weekend of Rugby World Cup 2019 were not consistently of the standards set by World Rugby and themselves,” said the statement.
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Ouch!
But at least World Rugby are onside with players, coaches and fans who have been left scratching some of the more baffling decisions.
The officials in charge of Australia’s win over Fiji have been criticised in some circles for not sending off Reece Hodge for his high tackle on Fiji’s Peceli Yato, with the Wallaby winger later cited for foul play and ordered to front the judiciary in Tokyo later today.
Former Wallabies assistant coach Mario Ledesma also blew up after his Argentina side lost a nailbiter to France that leaves the Pumas at serious risk of not making the playoffs, saying “smaller nations” are getting a rough deal from referees, though he later apologised.
Complaints about referees are as old as the game itself but have become more prevalent because of increased technology picks up everything so World Rugby was at least sympathetic to their plight despite bagging them in public and telling them to lift their game.
“World Rugby is confident of the highest standards of officiating moving forward,” the statement said.
“Elite match officials are required to make decisions in complex, high-pressure situations and there have been initial challenges with the use of technology and team communication, which have impacted decision-making. These are already being addressed by the team of 23 match officials to enhance consistency.
“Given this proactive approach, a strong team ethic and a superb support structure, World Rugby has every confidence in the team to ensure that Rugby World Cup 2019 delivers the highest levels of accurate, clear and consistent decision-making.”