Refs show ‘subconscious leniency’ to All Blacks

A former top referee claims there is a subconscious leniency towards the All Blacks by officials handling their test matches.

Rob Debney, a professional referee for 12 years from 1999-2011, analysed the effort of England’s Luke Pearce, who made his tierone refereeing debut when he handled New Zealand’s controversial 52-11 win over France at Eden Park last Saturday night.

Debney believes referees are scrutinised more closely when they control the All Blacks who are triple world champions and the top-ranked team in the game.

‘‘Once again the conversation is being dominated by claims that New Zealand always seem to get away with murder,’’ wrote Debney in his piece for The Times in the UK.

‘‘If I had an answer as to why there appears to be a leniency towards them, I would be a professor in psychology, but it exists on a subconscious level. The accountability for taking a decision against them, the scrutiny it comes under compared with other teams, is incredible.’’

Debney felt Pearce had ‘‘a really good game’’ but got the two decisions dominating the headlines wrong.

He believes Pearce should have sent off All Blacks replacement prop Ofa Tu’ungafasi for using a shoulder in a double tackle on Remy Grosso with flanker Sam Cane that left the France wing hospitalised with two facial fractures.

‘‘Yes, Grosso was falling in the collision but the onus is on the referee to make his ruling based on the outcome of an incident. Intent is not material in the decision. Did Tu’ungafasi’s shoulder connect with Grosso’s head? Yes. Red card,’’ wrote Debney.

He believed France’s Paul Garillagues should not have been sinbinned for his tackle on Ryan Crotty ‘‘that barely warranted a penalty’’.

The yellow card opened the floodgates for the All Blacks’ rally after a tight first half.

Outspoken Sunday Times correspondent Stephen Jones joined the debate via Twitter claiming the sport’s governing body was missing in action over the issue. He also suggested the Grosso tackle was ‘‘a criminal offence’’.

‘‘Time to hear from World Rugby after the assault last Saturday. Players must be charged, so too alleged disciplinary panel for bringing sport into disrepute.’’

World rugby vice-chairman Agustin Pichot chimed in too, believing there should have been a citing from the incident.