Review referees' performances, says Eddie Jones
Outspoken Queensland Reds coach Eddie Jones has not backed down from comments that landed him in hot water and says there has to be a forum to review referees' performances.
Jones yesterday first tried to deflect talk about his pending Sanzar tribunal code of conduct hearing following his scathing criticism of referee Matt Goddard's work in Queensland's 6-3 Super 14 loss to the Brumbies last weekend.
But when asked if referees were a protected species, Jones did not hold back, saying whistleblowers had to be accountable.
"Every part of our game is under review all the time, and we must have a forum to review referees as well.
"We are getting 9-3, 9-6s [scorelines] and they [referees] are having a significant part in the game.
"I was thinking back to rugby league in the 70s and 80s when you lost games from feeds in the scrums and loose arms.
"That's how significant referees are in rugby at the moment. They decide games and we need to have the highest standard of refereeing." Jones thought Sanzar was on the right track last year when it called for whistleblowers to attend post-match press conferences.
"I know that last year there was a meeting between Sanzar coaches and referees and the decision was made that referees would be at the post-match conference so that any queries about the game could be answered.
"When the next Sanzar meeting was held it was rescinded."
Jones was scheduled to appear before the tribunal on Tuesday over his post-match comments which included labelling Goddard's second-half handling of the scrums as "ludicrous" and "disgraceful".
However, it was postponed until later this week after Jones' counsel questioned Sanzar's jurisdiction.
Jones is the first coach in Super rugby history to be cited for breaching the Sanzar code of conduct and faces a warning, fine or even suspension.
Jones yesterday said he had no intention of retracting the comments and did not rule out future criticism.
"I think I have a duty as coach to support my team to ensure we believe we get a fair go and the comments I have made have been in line with that.
"I think it is important to have a code of conduct. I don't think you can continuously criticise any part of the game.
"You have to have some objectivity but at the same time if there is something wrong in the game you have to be able to voice it.
"As long as you don't do it all the time, there needs to be a channel for it."
If Jones was stressing about the possibility of incurring a suspension before the Reds match against the Blues in Auckland on Saturday it didn't show.
He joked that he might follow the lead of Chelsea and former Porto coach Jose Mourinho and text instructions to his assistants from the grandstand.
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Review referees' performances, says Eddie Jones
