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Eddie has an ally in Mitch
Tim Clarke
Thursday, February 22, 2007
Embattled Queensland Reds coach Eddie Jones has at least one supporter in Super 14 rugby circles, with rival John Mitchell today saying he admired the stand the former Wallabies mentor had taken against referees.
Jones faces punishment, and possibly even removal as Reds coach, following his scathing outburst about referee Matt Goddard after last week's loss to the Brumbies.
But as Jones awaits the outcome of tonight's SANZAR hearing, he can take some solace from the backing of Western Force coach Mitchell, who said at some stage every coach would like to speak their mind as openly as Jones did last Saturday.
"I admire Eddie for his comments. He has shown he is not happy, and he is entitled, I believe, to make those comments," Mitchell said.
"I support my (fellow) coaches, and I guess all us coaches at some stage would like to do what he did.
"He has shown the nuts to do that, and good on him... but there is a process in place."
Mitchell might be seen as an unlikely ally for Jones, who was the man who ultimately helped end the Kiwi's stint as All Blacks coach after masterminding the Wallabies victory over New Zealand in the 2003 World Cup semi-final.
But after the Force suffered some dubious officiating in their first season - notably the "non-try" which cost them a win against the Crusaders - Mitchell himself has not been averse to applying pressure on referees publicly.
Although more measured in his terms than Jones, Mitchell said today referees should be as accountable as every other participant in Super rugby.
And the Western Force coach also said the "survey system", which asks coaches to rank refereeing performances after every game this season, had not led to any more feedback from officials.
"I have filled in three sheets to date, and the intriguing thing is that we do give feedback, but we have received no feedback on our summaries," Mitchell said.
"You fill in (the ranking) but we have had no feedback on that. And I guess the referee ranking will only occur nearing semi's and final stage.
"I think it should happen every week.
"It is a two way thing we are seeking, and I guess we are asking for more accountability from referees.
"But it is a pretty difficult job for the bloke in the middle, and I think the whole area needs to be looked at."
Mitchell also said the experience of touch judges was also an area of concern in such a high profile competition as Super 14.
"At times we have very experienced referees in the middle, but not as experienced touch judges on the sideline, and I think this games demands a high level and high competency among all three," Mitchell said.
AAP
This story was found at: http://www.rugbyheaven.smh.com.au/ar...733929529.html