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Hansen calls for another referee

Monday 17th November 2008

One more: Hansen wants to see referees in Test matches

All Blacks assistant coach Steve Hansen believes the modern game is too fast for one referee to control, and has advocated the use of two referees in Test matches.

Speaking After New Zealand's win over Ireland on Saturday Hansen said the game had produced more evidence to suggest two officials may find it easier to follow play, as well as make contentious decisions more accurately.

"The breakdown was a bit of a mess again," he told NZPA, while claiming two legitimate tries were incorrectly ruled out.

Both Sitiveni Sivivatu and Ali Williams had tries disallowed after Lawrence was slow to arrive at the incidents, and television replays proved inconclusive.

Late in the game Lawrence missed a clear knock-on by All Blacks full-back Mils Muliaina, despite the crowd indicating the ball had been lost and a touch judge belatedly intervened.

The All Blacks are masters at implementing an up-tempo game and feel some referees are finding it difficult to handle the pace.

"Two referees would be good,' Hansen said.

"I'm not blaming the referee for Saturday but the game has changed in so many ways. It's so much faster, there's so many more laws, yet the one thing we haven't changed is the referee.

"He's still doing what he's always done.

"I think it might be time to look at saying, well, we might need two officials on the park."

Despite his suggestion Hansen didn't actually know how it would work, with two referees on the field at the same time.

"Whether it's half a field each or not I don't know, but I think we need to start looking at ways of helping our referees with what is a difficult job," he continued.

"It's getting difficult, it's just the speed of the game. You only have to watch games from three years ago to notice."

As part of their ongoing education and preparation the All blacks management met with IRB referees' boss Paddy O'Brian whilst in Dublin, in order to discuss a variety of issues.

"We talked about a lot of things and I think Paddy acknowledged things had to change, but it will be a slow process," he said.

Hansen said another solution would be for the IRB to appoint a panel of ten top referees to adjudicate all Test matches.

"The top six would do all the top nations and if you don't go any good, you drop back down to seven, eight, nine and 10 and you get yourself better," he said.