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'I'm changing my tune on refs, I got offered a gig to become TMO'
Ex-England international Andy Goode has claimed that referees should be centrally contracted by World Rugby after he socialised with a group of officials while attending last weekend’s Heineken Champions Cup and Challenge Cup finals in Marseille as a European rugby ambassador. The pundit also alleged that he was offered a role as a TMO by EPCR referees boss Tony Spreadbury.
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Goode was flown to France to mingle with the fans on behalf of the organisers of the European tournaments but away from those duties, he fell into the company of the referees that were also in Marseille for the games. The former out-half has been in the habit of rinsing referees on The Rugby Pod, the show he co-hosts with ex-Scotland lock Jim Hamilton.
However, a few Heinekens with the likes of Andy Brace and even a drink with Mike Adamson, an official that Goode has especially been critical of, has changed his viewpoint on referees and he explained why on this week’s show. “Unbelievable weekend,” he enthused despite his throat feeling like he had swallowed a packet of razor blades.
“Started on Friday as a European rugby ambassador so hosted a few Q&As with Sean O’Brien… I got to bed about three on Friday genuinely because we had to work all day Saturday as well. We got down to the fan zone and sweated it out. It was about 32 degrees and the Heineken from the night before was coming out of my pores and I’d not eaten any breakfast.
“We get to the ground and I’m interviewing Emile Ntamack in French. God knows what he was saying but I had written out some questions in French and asked him a few of them. And I have got to have a massive shout out for a few people – I ended up drinking with a lot of the referees.
Marseille magic with O’Gara and Freddie ‘Noodle’ Clark ?
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— The Rugby Pod (@TheRugbyPod) May 31, 2022
“Saturday at the (La Rochelle versus Leinster) game, the Friday night referees Luke Pearce, gorgeous Frank Murphy, Andrew Brace and Ian Tempest, those boys were just on the piss at the game and I did end up having a beer with Mike Adamson. Andrew Brace, a legend of a bloke. Frank Murphy claimed he has not had his hair or his teeth done. They’re all good blokes. I am changing my tune on the referees. Not the French ones because they are shocking.
“Luke Pearce was there as well. Barnsey (Wayne Barnes). He was the only one to bring his wife. Polly is definitely the boss. But I am going to give a shout out to referees. They are undervalued, they might be underpaid. They go through a hell of a lot. They are away from home for a ridiculous amount of time.
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“We only judge a referee on a weekend on his performance, what about the breakdown, what about his decision? They are away a s*** load from home, they have a really tough gig. I don’t think they are remunerated enough. I think they deserve to be centrally contracted by World Rugby.
“I think I got the job for TMO,” continued Goode. “I got offered a gig on Saturday to become a TMO. I don’t know whether it was serious because there were probably about 25 Heinekens drank responsibly by then. Tony Spreadbury, who is head of referees for European rugby, he was there. I think the lads want it.
“I said the biscuit tin would get absolutely hammered so the expenses for biscuits would go through the roof but I genuinely think speaking to them over the weekend they are undervalued. They understand they have got to take the rough with the smooth so we have got to give them a bit of stick if they get things wrong.
“They expect that but they need to be centrally contracted by World Rugby and given license to improve themselves although they did say they are off to Dubai on a bit of a jolly next week for fitness testing… Good boys all of them actually, even Mike Adamson.”
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Comments on RugbyPass
The side is good but lacks experience. International playing bona fides udually trumps super rugby form for good reason. And incumbents are usually stuck with. Codie Taylor should start or come off the bench. B Barrett will start at fullback. Blackadder has not earned the position, Finau has. TJs experience and competitiveness earns him a starting role, Christie or Ratima off the bench
4 Go to commentsPretty good side. Scott Barrett should be the captain. Ethan Blackadder a great choice at blindside. He is going to go from strength to strength having made a couple of starts for the Crusaders. Scott Robertson rates him highly. Perenara could start a no 9.
4 Go to commentsI question and with respect. Was enough done over the last few years to bring through new blood knowing the Whitelocks and co couldn’t last forever. There should have been more done to future proof the team. New squad new coach, he and they weren’t set up well. IMO
6 Go to commentsJacobsen will definitely be in the 23
4 Go to commentsLots of discussion points, Ben, but two glaring follies IMO: 1. Blackadder at 6. Has done nothing so far this season to justify his selection. Did you see him going backwards in contact at the weekend? Simply has not got the physical presence at 6: we need a Scott Barrett or a Finau (or wildcard Ah Kuoi), beasts who are big enough to play lock, like Frizzell. If Barret played at 6, Paddy could be joined at lock by Vai’i or one of the young giants we need to promote, like Darry or Lord (if he ever gets on the field). Blackadder best left to join the queue for 7. 2. Not even a mention for Christie? Ratima gets caught at crucial times at the back of the ruck when he hesitates on the pass. The only way he starts would be if Christie and TJ are injured.
4 Go to commentsWhat a dagg in more ways than one
6 Go to commentsRegroup come back next year but sack some of the coaching team and don't be like the ABs last minute sacking. If Crusaders don't do well ABs don't do well.
5 Go to commentsProctor Definitely inform again this year had a hell of a season last year and this year is looking even better. Still mixed feelings about Ioane tho.
4 Go to commentsDagg is still trying to get enough headlines to make himself relevant enough to get a job. The Crusaders went back to square one at all levels. Shelve this season and nail the next one.
6 Go to commentsHe was in such great form. Sad for him but only a short term injury and it will be great to see him back for the finals.
1 Go to commentsAfter their 5/0 start, I had the Crusaders to finish Top 4 only…they lost the plot in Perth but will reload and back themselves vs 4th placed Rebels…
5 Go to commentsBoth nations missed a great opportunity to book a game that would have had a lot of interest from around the world. I understand these games can’t be organised in 5 minutes but they should have found a way to make it happen. I don’t think Wales are ducking anyone but it’s a bad look haha.
3 Go to commentsIt will be fascinating to see the effect that Jo Yapp has. If they can compete with Canada and give BFs a run for their money that will be progress
1 Go to commentsFollowing his dream and putting in the work. Go well young fella!
3 Go to commentsPerhaps filling Twickenham is one of Mitchell’s KPIs. I doubt whether both September matches will be at Twickenham on consecutive weekends. I would take the BF one to a large provincial stadium so as not to give them the advantage and experience of playing at Twickenham before a large crowd prior to the RWC.
3 Go to commentsvery unfortunate for Kitshoff, but big opportunity potentially for Nché to prove he is genuinely the best loosehead in the world, rather than just a specialist finisher. Presuming that if Kitshoff is out, it will also give Steenekamp a chance to come into the 23? Or are others likely to be ahead of him?
1 Go to commentsA long held question in popular culture asks if art imitates life or does the latter influence the former? Over this 6 nations I can ask the same question of the media influencing the thoughts of its audience or vice versa. Nobody wants to see cricket scores in rugby, as a spectacle it is not sustainable. With so many articles about England’s procession and lack of competition it feeds the epicaricacy of many looking for an opportunity to pounce. England are not the first team to dominate nor does it happen only in rugby, think Federer, Nadal, Red Bull or Mercedes, Manchester Utd, Australia in tests and World Cups. Instead of celebrating the achievements why find reasons to falsify it pointing towards larger playing pool, professional for a longer period or mitigate with the lack of growth in other nations. Can we not enjoy it while it is here and know that it won’t last for ever, others coveting what England have will soon take the crown, ask the aforementioned?
6 Go to commentsShame he won’t turn out for the Netherlands now they’re improving. U20s are Euro champs and in the U20 Trophy this year. The senior sides gets better every year too.
3 Go to commentsWill rugbypass tv be showing these games?
1 Go to commentsWell where do you start, the fact that England have a professional domestic league and Ireland’s is fully amatuer, that they have fully seperated professional squads at Fifteens and Sevens (7’s thinly disguised as GB), and Ireland have fully pro Sevens squad who loan some players back to the Semi-Professional Fifteens squad (moved from amateur for only a year or so) for a few games at 6N & RWC’s. The Women’s games is a shambles, and is at risk of killing itself by pushing for professionalism when the market isn’t really there to support it outside one or two countnries..
6 Go to comments