Rugby: O'Brien defends refs over Bok claims

Peter de Villiers. Photo / Natalie Slade

International boss Paddy O'Brien has defended his Tri-Nations referees after an extraordinary attack on their integrity from Springbok coach Peter de Villiers.

The South African leader suggested results in his side's twin defeats in New Zealandwere engineered to generate extra supportfor the All Blacks and the World Cup next year.

An astonished O'Brien said both Irish referees, Alan Lewis and Alain Rolland, had received favourable assessments for their work at Eden Park and Westpac Stadium.

However de Villiers, on Australia's Rugby Club television show, suggested the All Black victories had been helped because of a conspiracy to develop greater approval for rugby and the seventh World Cup.

"I've got my own observations about the last two tests, and I can't say it in public," de Villiers began.

"But we do have a World Cup in New Zealand next year, and maybe it was the right thing for them to win the games so they can attract more people to the games next year."

There was no reaction from the All Blacks but coach Graham Henry and his sidekicks will travel to Brisbane tomorrow to watch the Boks challenge the Wallabies before shifting south to Melbourne to prepare their side to play the Wallabies.

While de Villiers questioned the officials' integrity, the South African Rugby Union has asked its officials to take up what it believes was a "bias" shown against the Springboks.

As those accusations were launched, O'Brien said his global group of referees had been delivering strong standards in five key areas since the June internationals began.

"As far as the Tri-Nations is concerned, people have to agree the product is better than this time last year and we are pleased with both referees in both games.

"Like everyone, they have areas to work on in their games but overall we have been very pleased with their attitude and delivery of performance."

O'Brien was not concerned that Saru president Oregan Hoskins and de Villiers were putting heat on Nigel Owens, Rolland and Wayne Barnes who will referee the Tri-Nations tests in South Africa.

"The referees who do the Tri-Nations are our top referees, they have all been round the block. It is only natural that a team losing is not going to be happy so our referees have to get above that and we believe they do," O'Brien said.

The All Blacks beat the Springboks 32-12 and 31-17 in the first two Tri-Nations tests, with the Boks losing Bakkies Botha to the sinbin then suspended for nine weeks for a headbutt and Danie Rossouw to the sinbin for a light kick while wing Jean de Villiers was banned for two matches after being cited for a dangerous tackle in the second test.

Meanwhile All Black captain Richie McCaw rode his luck and warnings from referee Rolland, which prompted de Villiers to threaten he would coach his side to cheat in games.

That list of grievances persuaded Saru to instruct its Sanzar representative, Judge Lex Mpati, to lobby that group about the refereeing.

"A number of stakeholders have complained to me about the lack of consistency in the rulings of the judicial officials in rugby," Hoskins said.

"I don't want to say too much, as previously I have spoken about the issue in the media and nothing has been done about it."

South Africa's referees boss Andre Watson added some heat to the topic.

"I looked at the ref, and he made some brilliant decisions and some not-so-good decisions," Watson said.