Mr Jones takes on referees

Press, 30 August 1986, Page 76

Mr Jones takes on referees

NZPA Rotorua The Wallaby coach, Alan Jones, has demanded that the international referees be made accountable for their decisions as controversy continued yesterday over Derek Bevan’s control of the second test at Carisbrook. Mr Jones said test captains should be given the privilege of their cricketing counterparts to report on referees, ensuring grievances can be officially aired.

“Our problem in international rugby is that people haven’t got the guts to say anything about referees,” Mr Jones said.

He said players would become disenchanted with international rugby unless steps were taken to . improve refereeing standards.

Mr Jones has put the All Black hooker, Hika Reid, on a good behaviour bond for Australia’s match against Bay of Plenty today at the Rotorua Stadium. He accused Reid of manhandling the Wallaby half-back, Nick Farr-Jones, in a touchline incident during the second test at Carisbrook last Saturday, calling Reid’s test performance second rate and warned Australia would not tolerate physical intimidation.

The Wallaby side is removed in £bout three places front the one which will jine up at Eden Park, making this game a late fine-tuning exercise.

Australia: A. Leeds, I. Williams, A. Slack (capt.), M. Burke, M. Cook, M. Lynagh, N. Farr-Jones, S. Tuynman, S. Poidevin, R. Reynolds, S. Cutler. J. Miller, M. Harthill, T. Lawton, E. Rodriguez.

Bay of Plenty: B. Ririnui, W. Jennings, C. Honey, B. McKillop, A. Stone, R. Preston, M. Basham, G. Tietjens, F. Shelford (capt.), K. Moseley, R. Rae, C. Burrell, P. Kennedy, H. Reid, A. McLean. -•••••■•