SA ref has final say on Bledisloe clash
Wed, 28 Jul 2010 10:27
Craig Joubert: Keeping his cards close to his chest. (c) Gallo
South African referee Craig Joubert will be called on to make a critical call on the Tri-Nations Test between Australia and New Zealand in Melbourne on Saturday... and that is before a ball has even been kicked in anger.
Joubert has been tasked to determine whether the match between trans-Tasman rivals Australia and New Zealand will proceed, as controversy rages on over the condition of the playing surface at the Etihad Stadium.
The match official has expressed his concerns to International Rugby Board referees manager Paddy O'Brien.
The surface, labelled unstable by Australian Football League clubs and the AFL Players Association, has long been a focal point - with claims that it could cause serious injury.
Joubert contacted O'Brien after being confronted with damning stories about the ground on arrival in Melbourne.
All Blacks and Wallabies management were united in being comfortable with the game taking place, though Joubert will have the final say once he makes his own inspection.
"At the end of the day, a referee's obligation is to check the playing surface. So it is his responsibility to make sure it is safe and that's what he's doing," O'Brien told The Australian newspaper.
All Blacks head coach Graham Henry had no doubt the game would proceed as scheduled, saying both sides would have to "make the best" of conditions.
Wallabies counterpart Robbie Deans insisted the teams would be competing "on a level playing field".
The All Blacks visit the stadium Thursday to assess what the fuss is about, though they are forbidden to train on it as ground staff try to stabilise the surface ahead of Friday's AFL match between St Kilda and Essendon.
"Obviously it's proven troublesome for the AFL but our game's a little different," said All Blacks assistant coach Steve Hansen.
Rugby players wore different footwear and did not change direction the same way as in Aussie Rules, he said.
The scrums, however, do pose a potential problem. "Obviously at scrum time we'll be hoping the surface holds together," he said.
"At the end of the day we'll have to deal with it. If that means getting a bit closer as two forwards packs and scrummaging slightly different because of the surface that's what we'll do."
O'Brien said uncontested scrums - employed when front row stocks were compromised by injury or foul play - were not an option.
Stadium management admit the surface was unacceptable for last weekend's round of AFL matches and are working to remedy the situation by using heat lamps to warm the surface. More top dressing would be added and the turf would be aerated in to provide greater traction.
Henry, however, was concerned the spectacle could suffer, while the All Blacks' scrummaging power could also be neutered by the unreliable underfoot conditions.
"I've been told there's a short root system. If that's the case it may mean the grass might roll up underneath the scrums, that would make it difficult," he said.
"I guess the front rows are going to have to be pretty tight before they hit."
With thanks to AAP & NZPA
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