Rugby: Crazy decisions - let's all hear what the refs have to say

Tim Bateman of the Hurricanes is tackled during the game against the Highlanders. Photo / Getty Images

Rugby laws are a minefield and that's on a good day.

It's about time match officials had microphones so the crowd can hear their decisions, rather than just the television audience.

The convoluted mysteries of the rulebook and uninformed spectators have fostered a Super 15 subplot known as referee bashing.

The rules have created such an industry that lawmakers and whistlers charged with delivering their intent, spend masses of time each season working out what they mean, how they can be interpreted and administered. Referee conferences, reviews, evaluations, remedial courses and lectures fill the calendar.

Somehow, though, the punters are left to muddle through and work it out for themselves. They can buy a headset to listen to a commentary or some of the discussions between referees and players at the ground but it's not quite the same.

Some of the latest rulings would leave you aghast and should send those making the decisions back to repeat training courses.

Keith Brown got a tough deal having to replace the injured Bryce Lawrence at halftime in the Hurricanes' duel with the Highlanders. Mind you, there was a bizarre moment when Lawrence pinged halfback BJ Perenara for the lone crooked scrum feed in about 30 during the match.

A number of decisions from Brown and his linesmen lieutenants were baffling. He

* Called advantage over as soon as replacement Highlanders halfback Aaron Smith used a pop kick while other referees allow multi-phases.

* Penalised Highlanders prop Bronson Murray for going off his feet to secure a loose ball after offside Hurricanes flanker Jack Lam had interfered with the possession.

* Allowed Canes prop Ben May to reef a ball out of the ruck in what could have been a vital last-minute steal.

* Seemed to ignore props steadying themselves by putting a hand on the ground.

There were others. Take the Blues in Cape Town: when Blues lock Ali Williams knocked on a penalty kick which rebounded from the posts and a teammate played it further upfield, referee Glenn Jackson ruled it was accidental offside.

If referees could explain those kinds of headscratchers to the crowd, then spectators would at least be able to debate the merits of the decision. They pay the dosh, they front up to matches and deserve as much match information as those who watch on the telly.

Spectators may not be any wiser but at least they would have an explanation.

They also got a chance to watch Colin Slade as his comeback for the Highlanders continued after a groin injury took him out of the World Cup. He began tentatively this season at fullback but shifted to five-eighths when Lima Sopoaga was injured. The positional shift did not improve his play, he still looked hesitant and some of his punting was very mediocre.

Slade has plenty of competition if he is to regain his place as All Black deputy behind Daniel Carter.

The 24-year-old Slade has played 10 tests since his debut as a sub against the Wallabies in 2010 but the continued emergence of Aaron Cruden, who debuted for the All Blacks that same season, has kept the pressure on.

Cruden has been a consistent performer this season as the backline general for the Chiefs while Beauden Barrett has made an exceptional start to his Super rugby career with the Hurricanes. Other youngsters such as Lima Sopoaga and Gareth Anscombe have also shown their rising quality to make sure the selectors' notebooks are full.