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Warren Gatland suggests NZ referees will bounce back from the questionable decisions
Chiefs coach Warren Gatland says New Zealand referees must improve to be recognised at the international stage after a recent spate of controversial refereeing calls made against his team.
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After the franchise’s seventh straight Super Rugby Aotearoa defeat against the Blues last week, Chiefs star Anton Lienert-Brown spoke out against crucial refereeing decisions, which in his view ended up making the difference in the game.
The Chiefs and All Blacks midfielder was adamant No 8 Pita Gus Sowakula scored under a heap of bodies during a late surge for the line and was frustrated that referee Brendon Pickerill didn’t opt to consult the TMO to check a possible match-winning try.
His comments sparked debate about the state of New Zealand refereeing, even prompting NZ Rugby referees boss Bryce Lawrence to urge players to show more respect after frustrated Chiefs players surrounded Pickerill during the loss.
Gatland, who has received multiple apologies from the referees for wrong calls against his team this season, said he and his team want to move on from the situation, but also added that he hopes referees can benefit from the Chiefs’ recent games.
Look away Chiefs fans.. Newshub has learned of at least 10 phone calls to Warren Gatland from the referees boss, apologising for incorrect calls. Salt. Wound. More soon, @NewshubSport
— Ollie Ritchie (@OllieRitchie1) July 30, 2020
“I’ve just got to think of the bigger picture,” Gatland said. “Yeah there’s some frustration but these guys haven’t thrown in the towel and they continue to work hard. And if you do that, hopefully we’re going to get the bounce of the ball – something’s going to go our way.”
Gatland didn’t blame the referees for his side’s poor run of form but did concede that the quality of refereeing in New Zealand hasn’t quite been up to par of late, especially at the international level.
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He said he hopes the recent drama involving his team helps all parties, including referees, improve.
“You’ve got a put a smile on your face and laugh about it. We’re definitely learning and I spoke of the players learning from this situation but I think the referees will benefit from this as well.
“It’s the closest thing you’re going to get to test match rugby and yes, they’re making some wrong calls in critical moments, but it couldn’t be any better preparation for them to develop. We haven’t had a lot of international recognition from our referees in recent years and I think that’s got to be the plan – you want top New Zealand referees refereeing in big matches around the world and that hasn’t been the case.
“I think they’ll definitely learn from that and the feedback I’m getting from them is they’re really disappointed with some of the decisions they’ve made and they’re hoping to learn from that and be better. And that’s no different to players and coaches in same situations when they make mistakes.”
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The former Wales head coach was also introspective about figuring out how the team could improve, but insisted they remained as motivated as ever to topple the top-of-the-table Crusaders this weekend.
“At the moment we’re on the wrong side but that’s rugby and that’s professional sport,” he said. “I’ve got to take that on the chin and I’m searching for ways and looking at myself and what things I can do better in the environment and how I can help the squad and team to improve.
“If we had been beaten by 30 or 40 points then you start looking at it for things to fix and get right … I feel like there’s a tight-knit group of players that are desperate to want to do well and play well for each other and there’s some good men here. When you’ve got some good with very good characters, you’re going to come through the other side. There’s no doubt that this franchise is going to benefit from that in the future.
“There’s definitely no lack of motivation playing against the Crusaders. Apart from if you live down that area, I think everyone is hoping they get knocked over on Saturday.”
Comments on RugbyPass
A wallaby front-row of Bell, Blake and Tupou…now that would be hefty
1 Go to comments“But with an exceptional pass accuracy rating “ Which apart from Roigard is not a feature of any of the other 9s in NZ. Kind of basic for a Black 9 dont.you. think? Yet we keep seeing FC and TJ being rated ahead of him? Weird if it’s seen as vital to get our backline beating in your face defences.
1 Go to commentsThanks BeeMc! Looks like many teams need extra time to settle from the quadrennial northern migration. I think generally the quality of the Rugby has held up. Fiji has been fantastic and fun to watch
13 Go to commentsLets compare apples with apples. Lyon sent weak team the week before, but nobody raised an eyebrow. Give the South African teams a few years to build their depth, then you will be moaning that the teams are too strong.
41 Go to commentsDid footballs agents also perform the scout role at some time? I’m surprised more high profile players haven’t taken up the occupation, great way to remain in the game and use all that experience without really requiring a lot of specific expertise?
1 Go to commentsSuper rugby is struggling but that has little to do with sabbaticals. 1. Too many teams from Aust and NZ - should be 3 and 4 respectively, add in 2 from Japan, 1 possibly 2 from Argentina. 2. Inconsistent and poor refereeing, admittedly not restricted to Super rugby. Only one team was reffed at the breakdown in Reds v H’Landers match. Scrum penalty awarded in Canes v Drua when No 8 had the ball in the open with little defence nearby - ideal opportunity to play advantage. Coming back to Reds match - same scrum situation but ref played advantage - Landers made 10 yards and were penalised at the breakdown when the ref should have returned to scrum penalty. 3. Marketing is weak and losing ground to AFL and NRL. Playing 2 days compared with 4. 4. Scheduling is unattractive to family attendance. Have any franchises heard of Sundays 2pm?
11 Go to commentsAbsolutely..all they need is a chance in yhe playoffs and I bet all the other teams will be nervous…THEY KNOW HOW TO WIN IM THE PLAYOFFS..
2 Go to commentsI really hope he comes back and helps out with some coaching.
1 Go to commentsI think we are all just hoping that the Olympic 7s doesn’t suffer the same sad fate as the last RWC with the officials ruining the spectacle.
1 Go to commentsPersonally, I’ve lost the will to even be bothered about the RFU, the structure, the participants. It’s all a sham. I now simply enjoy getting a group of friends together to go and watch a few games a year in different locations (including Europe, the championship, etc). I feel extremely sorry for the real fans of these clubs who are constantly ignored by the RFU and other administrators. I feel especially sorry for the fans of clubs in the Championship who have had considerable central funding stripped away and are then expected to just take whatever the RFU put to them. Its all a sham, especially if the failed clubs are allowed to return.
10 Go to commentsI’m guessing Carl Hayman would have preferred to have stayed in NZ with benefit of hindsight. Up north there is the expectation to play twice as many games with far less ‘player management’ protocols that Paul is now criticising. Less playing through concussions means longer, healthier, careers. Carter used as the eg here by Paul, his sabbatical allowed him to play until age 37. OK its not an exact science but there is far more expectations on players who sign for Top 14 or Engl Prem clubs to get value for the huge salaries. NZR get alot wrong but keeping their best players in NZ rugby is not one of them. SA clubs are virtually devoid of their top players now, no thanks. They cant threaten the big teams in the Champions Cup, the squads have little depth. Cant see Canes/Chiefs struggling. Super has been great this year, fantastic high skill matches. Drua a fantastic addition and Jaguares will add another quality team eventually. Aus teams performing strongly and no doubt will benefit with the incentive of a Lions tour and a home RWC. Let Jordie enjoy his time with Leinster, it will allow the opportunity for another player to emerge at Canes in his absence.
11 Go to commentsLove that man, his way to despise angry little men is so funny ! 😂
4 Go to comments“South African franchises would be powerhouses if we had all our overseas based players back in situ. We would have the same unbeatable aura the Toulouses, Leinsters or Saracens of this world have had over the last decade or so.” Proof that Jake white does not understand the economics of the game in SA. Players earning abroad are not going to simply come back and represent the bulls. But they might if they have a springbok contract.
24 Go to commentsA lot of fans just joined in for the fun of it! We all admire O'Gara and what he has done for La Rochelle
4 Go to commentsThe RFU will find a way to mess this up as usual. My bet is there will be no promotion into the the Premiership, only relegation into National League One. Hopefully they won’t parachute failed clubs into the league at the expense of clubs who have battled for promotion.
10 Go to commentsWell that’s the contracts for RG and Jordie bought and paid for. Now, what are the chances we can persuade Antoine to hop over with all the extra dosh we’ll have from living at the Aviva & Croke next season…??? 🤑🤑🤑
35 Go to commentsWow, that’s incredible. Great for rugby.
35 Go to commentsYou probably read that parling is going to coach the wallaby lineout but if not before now you have.
17 Go to commentsIf someone like Leo Cullen was in O’Gara’s place I don’t hear Boo-ing. It’s not just that La Rochelle has hurt Leinster and O’Gara is their Irish boss. It’s the needle that he brings and the pantomime activity before the game around pretending that Munster were supporting LaRochelle just because O’Gara is from Cork. That’s dividing Irish provinces just to get an advantage for his French Team. He can F*ck right off with that. BOOOOO! (but not while someone is lying injured)
4 Go to commentsDid the highlanders party too hard before the game? They were the pits.
1 Go to comments