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Kearns: Refs give the All Blacks 'a free ride'

By Online Editors
Tolu Latu of the Wallabies leaves the field after receiving a yellow card. Photo by Matt Roberts/Getty Images

Wallabies legend Phil Kearns believes the All Blacks are getting a “free ride” from referees after some of the decisions made by match official Romain Poite in the third Bledisloe Cup Test on Saturday.

Kearns specifically took issue with referee Poite’s decision to send off Wallabies hooker Tolu Latu in the second half of New Zealand’s 37-20 victory in Yokohama.

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Latu pushed his All Blacks opposite Codie Taylor in the face after retaliating to a shove in the shoulder from the latter.

Former Wallabies Test captain Kearns acknowledged Latu shouldn’t have retaliated but felt his actions didn’t deserve ten minutes on the sideline.

“That yellow card, I’ve got to say, I’m consistently frustrated — and I know world rugby is, the other teams except New Zealand — frustrated with the free ride New Zealand get from referees globally,” Kearns said on Fox Sports.

“Disappointing from Tolu. Yes, sure, he shouldn’t have done it but really, referees, get a grip, nothing happened, no-one was hurt, no-one was punched.

“It was just a little push and the other bloke pushed him first. I mean that whole thing just doesn’t make any sense,” Kearns continued. “Just get on with the game and that was part of my frustration, with the All Blacks getting a free ride. Get both of them off.”

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Former Wallabies halfback George Gregan conceded that Latu has had issues with discipline.

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“They’ve targeted him — Codie Taylor has really gone out of his way to create an inflammatory response and he got it,” Gregan said on Fox Sports.

“And played the ‘oh, look at that ref’ and fair play to him. That’s the attitude control, emotional control part of international rugby,” he said. “You’ve got to have that composure and he needs to learn that.”

The Wallabies will now regroup before embarking on their northern tour. Michael Cheika’s men have tests scheduled against Wales, Italy and England to close out the 2018 season.

In other news:

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Bull Shark 21 minutes ago
Jake White: Are modern rugby players actually better?

Of the rugby I’ve born witness to in my lifetime - 1990 to date - I recognize great players throughout those years. But I have no doubt the game and the players are on average better today. So I doubt going back further is going to prove me wrong. The technical components of the game, set pieces, scrums, kicks, kicks at goal. And in general tactics employed are far more efficient, accurate and polished. Professional athletes that have invested countless hours on being accurate. There is one nation though that may be fairly competitive in any era - and that for me is the all blacks. And New Zealand players in general. NZ produces startling athletes who have fantastic ball skills. And then the odd phenomenon like Lomu. Mcaw. Carter. Better than comparing players and teams across eras - I’ve often had this thought - that it would be very interesting to have a version of the game that is closer to its original form. What would the game look like today if the rules were rolled back. Not rules that promote safety obviously - but rules like: - a try being worth 1 point and conversion 2 points. Hence the term “try”. Earning a try at goals. Would we see more attacking play? - no lifting in the lineouts. - rucks and break down laws in general. They looked like wrestling matches in bygone eras. I wonder what a game applying 1995 rules would look like with modern players. It may be a daft exercise, but it would make for an interesting spectacle celebrating “purer” forms of the game that roll back the rules dramatically. I’d love to see an exhibition match like that.

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