Kaplan: 'Rampant incompetence'

Retired record-breaking referee Jonathan Kaplan has once again taken aim at his fellow officials, asking how long the "rampant incompetence and inconsistency" would be allowed to continue?

Kaplan, writing in his weekly column on his website RateTheRef, was particularly critical of the TMO decision that denied the Bulls a likely match-winning try against the Rebels.

The Rebels ended the Bulls' Super Rugby play-off hopes with a gritty 21-20 win in Melbourne at the weekend.

The three-time winners led the Rebels until the 59th minute, but could not score in the final 20 minutes – bowing out of play-off contention with one regular round left.

There was major controversy with the Bulls denied a try – when centre Burger Odendaal went over the in the 61st minute.

Referee Nick Briant sent the decision up to television match official Ian Smith, who ruled out the try – despite video replays confirming what most right-minded pundits suggested, that it was a legitimate five-pointer.

It is not the first time South African teams have been on the receiving end of such howlers, although SANZAR recently demoted Australian referee Rohan Hoffmann to touchline duty after his disgraceful conduct in a game against the Sharks.

The mistake meant an early exit from the play-off race for the Bulls and will increase pressure on the coach, Ludeke, after a second straight season where the Pretoria-based Bulls have missed out on the knock-out stages of the competition.

"There was ANOTHER dodgy call from the match officials, one that could be argued had a direct impact not only on the result, but on the Bulls' outside chance of qualifying for the play-offs," Kaplan said in his post on his website.

"In truth, they haven't been good enough at all this season and hardly deserve their spot, but neither did they deserve this apparent blunder of note.

"But I don't think this is about the Bulls at all.

"I'm not privy to the communication between the ref and TMO [Ian Smith of Australia], but I have tried to see why they wouldn't want to award this try and cannot see any reason for not awarding it. It is a poor call, among many this year, and it is simply not good enough at this level.

"It is embarrassing for Super Rugby, one of the two premier provincial competitions in the world. And [it is embarrassing] for rugby in general.

"How can this type of rampant incompetence and inconsistency be allowed to continue?

"It is a resource problem, a personnel problem, a coaching problem. Technology is here to stay but we need to get on top of it."

Kaplan admitted that he incorrectly reported that the TMO from last week's Highlanders versus Chiefs game had made a mistake.

"In fact, a picture was sent to me showing the ball had touched the hand of the would-be try scorer, possibly resulting in a knock-on. Given the above, and the fact that the try would be contentious at best, apologies to Glen Newman who made the right call," Kaplan wrote.

However, he pointed to another TMO blunder, in the Hurricanes versus Highlanders game in Napier – won 56-20 by the Hurricanes, to seal top spot with a week to go.

"The game was superbly refereed by Jaco Peyper, whose control and excellent use of the whistle resulted in this free-flowing spectacle," Kaplan said.

However, he said it wasn't all perfect.

"There was once again a TMO call that did not get the correct outcome," Kaplan wrote, adding: "With the Canes pressing near the tryline, Jeremy Thrush came in from the side (clearly a penalisable offence) that had a profound influence on the outcome and then held on to the Highlanders prop for just long enough to prevent him from defending his post, thereby allowing Perenara to go through the hole created to score.

"It should have been a penalty.

"An interesting debate is whether the TMO, who is in the best position to view these things, should merely answer the referee's question, or get the decision right – to serve the best interests of the game.

"For me there is no debate. Get it right!

"If this was a close game or a Final, that type of error could be catastrophic in respect of the final outcome, as a huge reward has gone to the team that has definitely transgressed."

Source: RateTheRef