The NSW Waratahs aim to take the referee out of the equation in a Super Rugby final tipped to go down to the wire on Saturday night.
The Waratahs know their showdown with the Crusaders, Super rugby’s most successful outfit, could come down to penalties and will “have a little look” at what referee Craig Joubert is likely to seek from the two sides.
The South African is the same whistle-blower condemned by former NSW coach Matt Williams after the 2011 Rugby World Cup final for his “non-refereeing” of Richie McCaw’s All Blacks at the breakdown.
Williams labelled Joubert’s performance “shameful”, saying New Zealand should have been penalised numerous times for breakdown infringements against France, including McCaw for repeatedly playing the ball off his feet.
“The World Cup was decided on non-refereeing decisions,” Williams said on Setanta TV after the All Blacks’ nailbiting 8-7 triumph.
“He didn’t referee them at the breakdown … he just didn’t want to be the person making the decision that New Zealand would lose the World Cup. He abrogated responsibility.”
Former Irish Test forward Neil Francis chimed in by saying: “I think (IRB referees’ boss) Paddy O’Brien did brilliantly to ensure the most benign referee in terms of a New Zealand perspective was on the park.”
But on Friday, Waratahs captain Michael Hooper dismissed that controversy as irrelevant, saying it’s up to the Waratahs to adapt to Joubert’s style.
“So we haven’t looked at that in too much depth,” Hooper said.
“But, I mean, each referee is different. Each referee has certain things that he can bring to the game and you have a little look at that.
“But it’s all about adapting pretty well in the game.”
NSW coach Michael Cheika said Joubert was deserving of his appointment and it was up to the Waratahs to take the referee out of the equation.
“He’s the best referee,” he said.
“Let the guy ref and then live with whatever we can around decisions and work around it as best we can.”
Cheika said he was a fan of McCaw and refused to pass judgement on the flanker’s reputation for testing referees at the breakdown.
“He’s a tyrant, a hard worker and a solid player who never gives in,” Cheika said.
“He’s always there at the coalface of the battle. He’s the type of player I like.
“Tomorrow we’re not going to like him obviously. We’re going to go out there and try to hurt him. But I think he’s a class player and he knows exactly how to go as far as he needs to go and he’s proven that over a number of years.
“I’m not into the whole push the limits thing. I just think go out there and see what happens.”
