So much rests on Poite’s decisions

The French referee will have to make vital calls in less time than he is used to, writes

With the series all square after last week’s thrilling Test, the significance of this game cannot be overstated. It is like a Rugby World Cup final, only it carries the weight of expectation from five nations not just two.

Referee Romain Poite (pictured) will be under huge pressure to deliver an even-handed performance, one featuring preparation, skill, subtlety and fortitude. Given the complex nature of the game, this is going to be an arduous but not impossible task.

The first two Tests were fantastic matches, aided by the experience and expertise of both referees. There were certainly errors in both, probably borne out of pressure. Some were significant, others not. But you got the feeling that the right teams probably ended up winning both games.

There is so much riding on the outcome of this Test, so each decision and non-decision that the referee makes will be of importance, hence it is vital that Poite does his preparation .

He has been present at both Tests and will know more or less what to expect in terms of the accuracy required at this level. The pace of the game is a step up from what he will be used to and, with that, the time he has to make his calls will shrink. We all know that a decision made too early or too late leaves the players feeling the referee has not quite got it right .

Poite will have been exposed to all the media surrounding the game, the so-called experts picking through what has happened before with a fine-tooth comb. He must sift through all of this, as some of it will be helpful to his preparation but some will be parochial and inaccurate.

He will have his mentors, those that he speaks to about his Tests and the problems he envisages, and will have had good chats with the referees from the previous two Tests. Alain Rolland from World Rugby will also give him his perspective on events.

At some stage, the coaches will meet with him to discuss various issues and concerns they may have had with the first two Tests – and their opponents. I always found this to be a fascinating learning opportunity as there is only a certain amount of preparation a referee can do and often it cannot take into account all the angles.

Sure, there will be spin, but that will be for Poite to work through. For example, there were some trends in the first Test which I did not like, but they were almost non-events in the second. Similarly, there were isolated incidents in the second Test which necessitated the referee having to make huge calls which quite correctly elicited debate.

No matter what anyone says, there is always pressure on the referee to ensure a spectacle within the framework of the law. Only the very best are able to do this when the stakes are high and the intensity is at boiling point.

There were some positives around the use of the television match official in the first Test but not in the second. The teamwork in general will have to improve as the referee simply cannot do all of the work on his own.

Lastly, I need to mention the crowd. There will be noise – big noise – from an expectant audience, who are mostly only interested in their team . Sometimes they will boo and roar, even when the referee is 100 per cent correct. It is important that noise is firmly shut out.

He will have players on the park who also feel the pressure and say and do silly things, and he will need to be firm, yet empathetic in dealing with them. My experience is that there may be more than two captains on the field, with everyone bursting to make sure their thoughts are shared, especially as the game reaches its climax. It is vital that he holds his nerve and allows the players to decide the outcome.

A call made too early or too late leaves the players feeling the ref has not quite got it right