Erasmus frustrated with World Rugby’s referee protocols ahead of Boks-All Blacks Tests
Much focus will be on the performance of the referee during Rugby's Greatest Rivalry series between the Springboks and All Blacks.
World Rugby’s new referee protocols have left South Africa’s coach Rassie Erasmus quite frustrated ahead of the upcoming Bok-All Blacks Tests. The protocols, introduced during the July Test window, limit coaches' ability to interact with referees before or after matches as they used to do. This has led to a reduction in post-match submissions for clarity around decisions, leaving coaches with less clarity.
Erasmus also pointed out that the All Blacks have been pushing a narrative about the Springboks' slow game style ahead of the highly anticipated Test series, which could be seen as an attempt to influence the referees. Despite Erasmus denying this was a tactic, he admitted this type of communication might become more common due to the current protocols.
Under the new system, head coaches can only meet with the referee before a game if both agree and attend together. Post-match clarity around decisions has also been significantly reduced from what was previously allowed.
The Italian coach, Gonzalo Quesada, experienced this frustration first-hand last month after a match against the All Blacks, leading to a ban and formal warning from World Rugby. Erasmus expressed his confusion about the changes and shared his thoughts on a Bok press conference. He explained that coaches are no longer able to alert referees to certain obscure plays they are planning to use, something they used to do freely.
This inability to tee up referees with certain strategies they want to employ has left Erasmus frustrated, especially considering the current protocols.
Written by urgent.news from The Citizen's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
