All Blacks pressure referee on breakdown rulings

New Zealand assistant coach Steve Hansen has ratcheted up the pressure on referee Craig Joubert to prevent a free for all at the breakdown in this weekend’s World Cup semi-final with Australia.

Hansen was critical Thursday of Kiwi referee Bryce Lawrence’s officiating of the rucks, where Wallaby openside flanker David Pocock dominated, during Australia’s gripping 11-9 quarter-final win over defending champions South Africa last weekend.

Lawrence has copped considerable stick, particularly from South Africa, over his performance, but New Zealand are wary of Pocock’s mastery in foraging for turnover ball.

South African official Joubert will control Sunday’s semi-final at Eden Park and Hansen said it was important for the crucial breakdown battle to be adjudicated in line with rugby’s rules.

“Joubert’s pretty good (refereeing the breakdown), but how he’s going to do it on Sunday night, we don’t know,” Hansen told reporters. He’s human and he’ll make decisions based on what he thinks he’s seeing and it’s pretty clear what you’re allowed to do, but you get variation every week, don’t you?”

Hansen joined in criticism of Lawrence’s performance in Wellington where Pocock played a decisive role in a backs-to-the-wall win over the Springboks.

“I would say that Bryce (Lawrence) is probably a little disappointed with how he did it last week,” he said. “I think Bryce was (a bit lenient). You’re not allowed to go off your feet at the breakdown and you’re not allowed to hang on to the ball after the ruck is formed and let it go.”

Pocock’s battle with the All Blacks’ champion number seven Richie McCaw will be one of the intriguing sub-plots of Sunday’s showdown to decide a place in the October 23 final.

In contrast to Hansen, Wallabies’ coaching co-ordinator David Nucifora had no issues with Lawrence’s officiating last weekend.

“I thought the referee did a fine job, no problem from where we were sitting, I thought it was consistent for both teams,” he said.

And in a parting barb, Nucifora added: “I’m sure Steve (Hansen) has seen enough of number sevens (McCaw) pushing the boundaries, he knows how it works.” AUCKLAND, (AFP)