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Home / Sport / Rugby / All Blacks

Rugby: The good news for All Blacks fans ahead of the Lions test series

NZ Herald
10 Jun, 2017 09:18 PM2 mins to read

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Referee Mathieu Raynal speaks to Alun Wyn Jones of the Lions and Sam Whitelock of the Crusaders during last night's 12-3 victory to the Lions in Christchurch. Photo / Photosport.

Referee Mathieu Raynal speaks to Alun Wyn Jones of the Lions and Sam Whitelock of the Crusaders during last night's 12-3 victory to the Lions in Christchurch. Photo / Photosport.

The good news for All Blacks fans awakening today is that last night's referee won't be involved in the test series.

Beyond an acceptance that the British and Irish Lions are a much better side than they showed in their first two outings, the other key focus of last night's
game was the display by French whistleblower Mathieu Raynal.

Raynal evoked memories of English referee and All Blacks nemesis Wayne Barnes at his worst with a host of perplexing decisions against the Crusaders in the 12-3 defeat.

Crusaders players and fans were frustrated at scrum time where Raynal came up with some baffling penalties against the locals.

Former All Black World Cup winner Sir John Kirwan was critical of Raynal's performance in Sky TV's post-match analysis.

Others claimed Raynal was inconsistent in policing the offside line.

The Lions' opening three points also came from a penalty for dubious call for a head high tackle by Matt Todd.

But if Kiwi fans were nervous about Raynal, the good news is that he will not be involved in the three-match test series.

Fellow Frenchmen Jerome Garces and Roman Pointe will control the second and third tests respectively while South African Jaco Peyper will have the whistle for the opening international.

The three refs have one thing in common - none have ever controlled a match that the All Blacks have lost.

But Peyper has sent four All Blacks to the sin bin in his most recent matches in control of Steve Hansen's men - against Argentina in Argentina last year and against Ireland in Dublin last November.

Hansen may be more nervous about the French pair, though, especially if they emulate Raynal's refusal to "coach" players.

Raynal did a great job of emulating his celebrated fellow countryman and mime Marcel Marceau with his failure to talk to players during key parts of the game.

Kirwan noted that southern hemisphere players are used to referees who offer instructions during play, warning against potential illegalities.

But Crusaders captain Sam Whitelock refused to point any blame at Raynal after the game.

"It shows that if you are giving away penalties, not executing your skills by dropping the ball, you put pressure on yourself," Whitelock said.

"You have to make sure you can absorb that pressure and turn it around and apply it back."

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