Last weeks All Blacks game

Last week I wasn't actually planning on staying up late to watch the Prime TV play-back of the All Blacks V Wallabies game but a case of insomnia kept me up. None the less I found it an entertaining game to watch...beyond the reason of it being an absolute smashing of our cross-Tasman rivals.

I have to say that I was really enjoying watching the referee administer the game. He was the most consistent ref I have seen in a game for a long time. No one could accuse him of bias or that his understanding of the game was lacking. The often controversial new law interpretations make the headlines but this time I didn't see any of that, in fact, on balance the media coverage has been positive of his actions throughout the game.

Though I might add this part. Some has been said of his red-carding Wallaby Drew Mitchell. The advangtage is obvious. 14 on 15 is certainly a number im-balance but in terms of the overall impact on the game the loss of 1 man in the overall scheme of things should not lead to the absolute dismemberment of a teams performance. But that is what happened, Australia was dismembered.

But referee Craig Joubert made it clear to both Richie McCaw and Rocky Elsom that any further delay of the game would result in cards. It was a piece of unfortunate timing and placing that it was Mitchell, who had not long returned from his sin-binning, was the guy who was sent off. But thats the captains responsibility. Admittedly Mitchell was in the bin when Joubert gave his warnings but thats still the captains responsibility to ensure his players don't muck the referee around. I'm the same when I officiate Basketball. There are times when I talk to players and coaches about things, but when I say no...its no.

I have to say that when Joubert pulled that red card I could feel for Australia, but I was also glad to see a referee follow through with his warnings and not muck around. Yes, the game was an international match in an important rugby tournament, but a lot of times I think referees are somewhat afraid to show the red.

Some years ago I was refereeing a game and I technical fouled a player who was of an NBL and International reputation. Someone later asked me if I knew who the player was and then they proceeded to tell me some of his resume. I then said, I knew and I didn't care. At that point I was responsible for that game and the behaviour on it. I felt that they had violated the rules and the manner of the game and I acted accordingly. The player and I shook hands after the game and he apologised and we had a good man hug. The game ended and thats where the problem ended as well...left on the court.

Referee Joubert should be proud of the game he administered last week. I thought it was the most balanced game I have seen in terms of officiating in a long time.