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Ref warns of Gregan manipulation
By Peter Jenkins
June 14, 2007
SOUTH Africa's leading referee has stunned the Wallabies by publicly warning the man in charge of the Newlands Test to ignore the "charms" of George Gregan.
Jonathan Kaplan has given an interview to the Cape Argus newspaper where he claims veteran halfback Gregan will attempt to manipulate the decision-making of rookie referee, Wayne Barnes from England, with constant on-field chatter.
"(Gregan has) won plenty of 50-50 calls for his team and he'll have done his homework for Saturday," said Kaplan. "He'll know he's up against a bloke who is new to the international game.
"The Aussies will know that value when it comes to targeting the inexperience of the referee and there is no one better qualified to do it than George."
Former barrister Barnes, 27, was placed on contract by the Rugby Football Union two years ago as their youngest ever fulltime match official.
"From what I've seen of Wayne I am sure he will cope," said Kaplan. "But it will still be an interesting initiation for him."
Kaplan refereed the Wallabies' first Test against Wales in Sydney where the Australians escaped with a try after the siren.
According to the South African, Gregan's second-half appearance off the bench was crucial.
"In my view, George is the best scrum half in Australia," said Kaplan. "He added a dimension when he came on. He gave the Wallabies more continuity and composure. There will be a lot of relieved players and referees when he retires after the World Cup."