Dropping Quittenton, Norling ‘inexplicable’

Press, 12 June 1987, Page 21

Dropping Quittenton, Norling ‘inexplicable’

NZPA staff correspondent London British newspapers were stunned to learn that the Welshman, Clive Norling, and England’s Roger Quittenton were among the referees dropped from rugby’s World Cup final stages. “The absence of Quittenton and Norling does not make a great deal of sense. In fact, it is inexplicable,” the London ’’Daily Telegraph’s” John Mason wrote.

The pair were among six referees returning home while eight others were retained by the organisers for the semifinals in Australia this week-end and the Eden Park final on Saturday week.

London’s “Evening Standard” newspaper said that Mr Quittenton and Mr Norling were rugby’s most experienced referees and both were seething over being axed from the competition./ It also said Mr Norllng's failure to stay on “had nothing to do with' his permed hair or famous tight shorts” as suggested in a newspaper report The “Standard” quoted Mr Norling as saying before boarding a plane home, “If they don’t want me, I am not hanging about here. “The organisers have said the decisions have been made on ratings of each referee after the matches. But the people I spoke to were happy with

my performance.” Mr Quittenton said, “Clive and I have 21 years of international refereeing experience between us which must have been of some value. But they decided they didn’t need us.” Meanwhile, New Zealand’s Keith Lawrence, who was slammed by. the British press over his refereeing of the match England lost to Australia, said that he was 'TOO per cent wrong” in awarding a try to the Wallaby wing, David Campese. “At the time I thought David Campese had scored; but I made a mistake.” Mr Lawrence told London’s “Independent” newspaper.