Written by Neville Huxham, on 25-10-2007 11:30

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The following is a list of the main referees in RWC 2007.  They have been ranked according to personal observation during the matches they officiated.

If you do not agree with the rankings, please add your comments and indicate where you believe they should be ranked.

The overwhelming opinion of those who participated in the poll - Should referees be accountable? - was YES - more than 90% believe some form of accountability should be imposed.

It is interesting to note that in the six weeks of this site's existence, more than 6000 ''hits'' were recorded!  

Thank you for participating - after your comments have been received, this information will be sent directly to the President of the IRB, the Manager of the IRB's Referees Pool, and the National Rugby Unions.

RANKING    COMMENTS
  
1.  Alain Rolland (IRE) Fair and consistent. Controlled well.
   In the Final, why was Flood not penalised for dangerous play?

2.  Jonathan Kaplan (RSA) Fair and consistent. Controlled well.

3.  Jöel Jutge  (FRA) Fair and consistent. Controlled well.

4.  Alan Lewis  (IRE) Fair and consistent. Controlled well.

5.  Nigel Owens  (WAL) Fair and consistent. Controlled well.

6.  Marius Jonker (RSA) Fair and consistent.

7.  Tony Spreadbury (ENG) At times inconsistent.

8.  Chris White  (ENG) At times inconsistent.

9.  Wayne Barnes (ENG) Biased. Inconsistent. Poor manager

10. Steve Walsh  (NZL) Biased. Inconsistent. Poor manager

11. Stuart Dickinson (AUS) Biased. Inconsistent. Poor manager

12. Paul Honiss  (NZL) Biased. Inconsistent. Poor manager.
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Posted by charles morton, on 02-11-2007 11:54, IP 198.54.202.210, Guest 1. Cur It is interesting that the bottom 3 are from S Hemisphere and the 3 just rated slightly better are all English.    I agree with these ratings as Rolland was far and away the best on view. Very unobtrusive as a good ref should be.  Reminds me of the famous WG Grace quote "These people have come to see me play, not to watch you umpire".    Honiss at the other end of the scale was indeed dreadful.    Overall I believe that Paddy O'Brien's interpretation of the Laws is poor. He allows too much leeway in some areas whilst being too harsh in others. Suprising from a man who played decent rugby.   » Report this comment to administrator » Reply to this comment...