The coach, the ref and the hotel foyer
International Rugby Board (IRB) referees chief Paddy O’Brien has expressed measured concern following reports of an alleged confrontation between France coach Bernard Laporte and referee Stuart Dickinson on the eve of the second Test between New Zealand and France.
Laporte was openly critical of Dickinson’s officiating of France’s 42-11 defeat in the first Test and the Sunday Star Times reports that he made his feelings known as the Australian prepared to touch-judge Saturday’s encounter at the Westpac Stadium.
The coach allegedly cornered Dickinson in the foyer of his Wellington hotel and, wielding a laptop, confronted him with selected highlights from last week’s match.
Coaches are entitled to meet with referees prior to matches, but it is highly unusual for them to meet with touch judges.
“If you are appointed to any French games at the World Cup, the French team will not turn up,” Laporte is reported to have said.
“We have had enough of you. All the time you do this to us.”
The impromptu ‘meeting’ appears to contravene the IRB’s code of conduct forbidding anyone from abusing, threatening or intimidating referees and touch judges.
O’Brien told the newspaper that he would expect a report from Dickinson if the Australian had felt threatened or intimated by Laporte’s behaviour.
“I’m surprised to hear this and disappointed if it’s true, but I need to hear from Stuart himself,” he said.
“If the meeting was out of hand I will hear from Stuart Dickinson.
“If there was a breach or Stu felt intimidated, I expect to hear from him.
“We will not have coaches telling us who will referee games.”
To that end, Australian Rugby Union referees boss Peter Marshall has confirmed that he has spoken to Dickinson and said that a report will be sent to the IRB.
O’Brien added he would also expect a report from Laporte if he was unhappy with the officiating of the two-Test series in New Zealand.
