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Cape Town - A popular Kiwi scribe has criticised South African referee Jaco Peyper for his performance during last weekend's 12-all Rugby Championship draw between Australia and New Zealand in Sydney.
New Zealand Herald newspaper columnist Gregor Paul expressed his concern at the standard of international refereeing in general, and singled out Peyper for making "erratic" decisions.
In his column, Paul wrote:
"Another big game, another poor refereeing performance - world rugby is not far from crisis in regard to the state of officialdom.
"Jaco Peyper's confusing and erratic decisions in the opening Bledisloe Cup clash have meant confidence isn't high that the Rugby Championship will fulfil its potential as a provider of drama and spectacle.
"Rugby's recent history has been dominated by games where the role played by the referee was viewed as the decisive factor. Games where both teams felt the referee's actions altered the nature and outcome of the contest.
"Peyper's name is just one more to add to the list. The South African was inconsistent and - as hinted by the All Blacks - just plain wrong at times in the 12-all draw in Sydney.
"The players were denied the opportunity to play the game they wanted and instead of rugby, it became Cluedo - crimes being committed with no one sure whether it was Colonel Mustard with the candlestick in the library or Mrs Peacock with some rope in the conservatory."
Paul warned that the inconsistencies of refereeing performances of late could alienate fans from the game.
The All Blacks and Wallabies again meet this week when they duel in Auckland on Saturday (kick-off 09:35 SA time).
Frenchman Romain Poite will be the referee for the clash, with Peyper one of his assistants, alongside fellow South African Stuart Berry. Another South African, Shaun Veldsman, will be the television match official.
CLICK HERE to read Paul's full column on the New Zealand Herald website.
New Zealand Herald newspaper columnist Gregor Paul expressed his concern at the standard of international refereeing in general, and singled out Peyper for making "erratic" decisions.
In his column, Paul wrote:
"Another big game, another poor refereeing performance - world rugby is not far from crisis in regard to the state of officialdom.
"Jaco Peyper's confusing and erratic decisions in the opening Bledisloe Cup clash have meant confidence isn't high that the Rugby Championship will fulfil its potential as a provider of drama and spectacle.
"Rugby's recent history has been dominated by games where the role played by the referee was viewed as the decisive factor. Games where both teams felt the referee's actions altered the nature and outcome of the contest.
"Peyper's name is just one more to add to the list. The South African was inconsistent and - as hinted by the All Blacks - just plain wrong at times in the 12-all draw in Sydney.
"The players were denied the opportunity to play the game they wanted and instead of rugby, it became Cluedo - crimes being committed with no one sure whether it was Colonel Mustard with the candlestick in the library or Mrs Peacock with some rope in the conservatory."
Paul warned that the inconsistencies of refereeing performances of late could alienate fans from the game.
The All Blacks and Wallabies again meet this week when they duel in Auckland on Saturday (kick-off 09:35 SA time).
Frenchman Romain Poite will be the referee for the clash, with Peyper one of his assistants, alongside fellow South African Stuart Berry. Another South African, Shaun Veldsman, will be the television match official.
CLICK HERE to read Paul's full column on the New Zealand Herald website.
