ARU questions Dickinson criticism
Scrum.com
November 20, 2009
Referee Stuart Dickinson has come in for criticism from the IRB
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- The Australian Rugby Union (ARU) has spoken out over the IRB's criticism of referee Stuart Dickinson's handling of the Italy v New Zealand Test at the San Siro last weekend.
Australian Dickinson's performance drew complaints from the All Black coaches as they were repeatedly penalised at a five-metre scrum in the closing moments of their win, complaints that were backed up by IRB referees manager Paddy O'Brien.
An ARU statement welcomed open reviews of refereeing performances but also called for the IRB to be wholly transparent in their doing so, not simply singling out Dickinson in a one-off gesture.
"The IRB practice through Mr. O'Brien has generally been to avoid singling out referees and making public comment about their performances," the statement said. "The ARU has no problem with this change in practice and in fact welcomes the open appraisal of refereeing performances.
"However, and importantly, following the negative and very public review of Stuart Dickinson, we expect to see this transparent approach adopted on a consistent basis for all elite referees in the future."
- RFU chief executive Francis Baron has announced his intention to retire at the end of the current season following 12 years in charge. He will officially call time after the RFU's annual general meeting in July 2010.
"I will be entering my 65th year next year and I felt it was the right time to set my retirement date to enable an orderly transition to my successor," he said. "It will enable him or her a full year in office prior to a change in the chairmanship of the RFU in 2011 and the World Cup in New Zealand later that year, together with ensuring senior management continuity through a period of change."
- Leicester Tigers head coach Richard Cockerill will face an RFU disciplinary panel on November 25 to answer charges on two instances of match official abuse during his side's Anfglo-Welsh fixture against Newport-Gwent Dragons on November 14.
- Hawke's Bay wing Zac Guildford leads the nominees for this year's New Zealand rugby awards, the newly anointed All Black popping up in three categories. He has been nominated as Air New Zealand Cup Player of the Year, Maori Player of the Year and Age Grade Player of the Year.
Veteran All Black fullback Mils Muliaina and team-mate Aled de Malmanche have been nominated for Super 14 Player of the Year after the Chiefs' march to the final and are joined by Hurricanes centre Ma'a Nonu.
Josh Bekhuis (Southland) and Mike Delany (Bay of Plenty) join Guildford as the Air New Zealand Cup nominees while Ian Foster (Chiefs), Guy Lennox (Wanganui), Rob Penney (Canterbury) and Dave Rennie (New Zealand Under-20) are in the running for Coach of the Year.
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