Calls for two refs on rugby field

Cape Town - After another weekend of refereeing mishaps, calls have been made for the introduction of two referees on the field in world rugby.

The system was trialled in this year’s Varsity Cup competition and according to Hendrik Greyvenstein, the manager of Maties’ refereeing academy, World Rugby should consider employing it in all matches.

“Doc Craven (Danie Craven, former SA Rugby boss) started it decades ago in our hostel league. I’m a big fan of it,” Greyvenstein told Netwerk24.

“The tempo of play has become too fast at the highest level for only one referee to operate. I believe the system of two referees should be employed from provincial level.

“You can’t afford for refereeing errors to sway the outcome of matches.”

Greyvenstein acknowledged that there would be challenges to overcome should the system be employed.

“You need to establish referee pairs. The guys need to trust each other and think in the same way. Communication between them is very important.

“If you have the right refereeing partnership, then there will in all likelihood be fewer penalties, otherwise not.”

This past weekend was characterised by Australian referee Rohan Hoffmann’s questionable performance during the Waratahs’ 33-18 win over the Sharks in Sydney.

Several calls appeared to go against the Sharks, and pundits were in agreement afterwards that Hoffmann had a “shocker”.

Former All Black coach John Mitchell pointed out in the SuperSport studio post-match that Hoffmann's management of the tackle, ruck and offside line was woeful, and that he talks too much, while former Wallaby wing David Campese described his performance as a “joke”.

The Television Match Official for the game in Sydney - George Ayoub - also copped criticism. He made two crucial calls, disallowing a try by the Sharks’ S’bura Sithole, while awarding a contentious try to Waratahs wing Taqele Naiyaravoro, despite no clear evidence that the ball was grounded.

Hoffmann was on Monday appointed as an assistant referee for the Force v Highlanders game in Perth this coming Saturday, while Ayoub got no game.