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EDINBURGH - As a rule Englishmen are not welcome at the best of times north of the border, but Scottish rugby coach Frank Hadden has moved to allay any fears over the ability of Wayne Barnes to control the All Blacks' test here on Sunday (NZT).
The International
Rugby Board's decision to appoint Barnes for the Murrayfield match is destined to overshadow the build-up to a test that otherwise appears the All Blacks easiest obstacle on their Grand Slam quest.
Barnes, of course, needs little introduction - his place in New Zealand's rugby history is assured following his controversial officiating of the All Blacks' quarterfinal loss to France at last year's World Cup.
Hate groups formed after the All Blacks' 20-18 loss in Cardiff still lurk in cyberspace, as New Zealand fans still struggle to come to terms with the Englishman's performance.
Barnes has since been an assistant referee during New Zealand's Tri-Nations win over South Africa at Cape Town in August.
All Blacks coach Graham Henry was deadpan today when asked if there had been much interaction between the pair at Newlands.
"I saw him, we exchanged pleasantries," Henry said, without elaborating.
He admitted analysing a couple of Barnes' recent performances but would go no further.
Hadden, meanwhile, had no qualms about Barnes refereeing Scotland's season opener.
He did not expect the 29-year-old to be under any extra pressure after having discussions with the IRB's New Zealand-born referees boss Paddy O'Brien - a staunch defender of Barnes amid an ugly quarterfinal aftermath that included death threats.
"Paddy O'Brien has assured me he has every confidence in Wayne Barnes' ability to cope with what may have been perceived as a difficult situation for him," Hadden said.
"I have every confidence in Paddy O'Brien and Wayne Barnes."
All Blacks lock Ali Williams broke the team's vow of silence in March.
Williams could not hold back any longer on the eve of the second test against England, revisiting an analysis of Barnes' peformance.
"You have to look at the ref .... 17 unawarded penalties - that's bullshit," he said.
Williams is one of three All Blacks who started the Cardiff catastrophe to be in close proximity to Barnes at Murrayfield.
The others are wing Joe Rokocoko and new captain Keven Mealamu while fullback Isaia Toeava was a reserve last October 6.
Although the appointment of Barnes may cause disquiet among New Zealand supporters, the performance of Ireland's Alan Lewis in last weekend's Bledisloe Cup test in Hong Kong was a timely reminder that calls can also go in favour of the All Blacks.
Lewis seemed unfairly harsh on Australia at the scrum breakdown, missed several knock ons and crucially a forward pass by Sitiveni Sivivatu to Richie McCaw as New Zealand's skipper broke a 14-14 deadlock with the match winning try.
- NZPA