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Rugby referees will be made publicly accountable for
their decisions in the immediate wake of Super 14 rugby matches
this season.
For the first time, referees will be available for media
questioning of their performance, a move designed to make the
game's whistlers and their decisions more transparent.
New Zealand Rugby Union Lyndon Bray said there was a desire
to take some of the mystery out of rugby's laws, while the
referees themselves have agreed they would like to be
publicly measured.
"They (referees) have probably always been slightly
threatened in the past by the concept of facing up on TV
after games," Bray told Radio Sport.
"We've all acknowledged this is probably an important step.
It brings us into line with the coaches and the players, who
also have to do this."
Referees have been in the spotlight in the leadup to this
year's Super 14, announcing there will be an emphasis on
enforcing breakdown interpretations more literally from the
law book.
This, Bray said, should create a more flowing spectacle than
the kick-dominated play of 2009.
He said yellow cards could be produced earlier in games this
year to deal with players unwilling to adjust their attitude.
