I agree that the TMO explanation was rather 'wooly'. I was more concerned with his calls for impartial match officials at every game, which I think calls into question the integrity of the current panel of officials
Yeah, but it was a leading question from the Wales online blogger.
WoL said:
Englishman Greg Garner is the man in charge of the officials, in his role as the PRO14’s Elite Referee Manager.
Well Mr. Garner this is just shoddy journalism;
WoL said:
The TMO on that occasion was Irish. Would you accept if you were to have neutral referees and TMOs for every game, the narrative would be purely about competency when mistakes are made and not impartiality?
A: I totally agree with you.
.. before suggesting (making an accusation ?) that of course an Irishman couldn’t possibly remain impartial.
Try to understand the Munster philosophy «*Irish by birth, Munster by the grace of God.*» Ireland is provincial, so unlikely that a
Munster-born, Leinster-branch ref would be biased in favour of a Connacht team.
[LAWS]Connacht v Cardiff Blues @ The Sportsground 10 of April 2009
Referee: Mike Adamson (Scotland) Assistant referees: George Clancy (Ireland), Fin Brown (Scotland) TMO: Ken Henley-Willis (Ireland)
[/LAWS]
When Connacht played away to Cardiff the TMO was Welsh, don’t remember Wales online complaining back in January about that.
So presumably impartiality in the eyes of Wales on line, is based on Nationality. Welsh officials being about reproach.
[LAWS]Referee: Mike Adamson
AR1: Adam Jones
AR2: Lloyd Linton
TMO:
Ian Davies
Match appointment details[/LAWS]
Not sure what he things about straight put-ins, perhaps he thinks favouring the attacking side will make for better TV rugby.
As for the one Law that he'd change?
I would like to see a law that says at the scrum the defending No 9 has to go and stand behind his No 8’s feet.
Let’s top all the harassing of the attacking No 9, let him pass the ball and then we get the ball in play.
That would be my change.
I wonder if that really allows for a fairer competition for the ball?