White cards tipped to reduce foul play

Updated February 20, 2012 18:06:37

Super Rugby referees believe the introduction of a white card this season will take pressure off them and help the game's authorities remove foul play.

The white card will allow referees to refer to a citing commissioner alleged incidents like biting and gouging that on field officials might not have seen.

"I think it will assist us in removing incidents from the game that the IRB and SANZAR are trying to remove and clean up the game in terms of foul play," referee Andrew Lees said.

"That (new system) makes it a bit clearer for the public, who in the past may not have known things are going to the citing commissioner. We're just making the the process a bit more transparent to the public eye."

Another referee, Ian Smith, did not think the white card would lead to a reduction in yellow cards that result in a 10-minute 'sin bin' for the offender.

"But it gives us another resource that we can use for an item that may not meet a red card threshold," Smith said.

Waratahs coach Michael Foley supported the introduction of the white card.

"I think anything that helps tidy up that judicial process, makes it slicker, is a good thing," he said.

"I see only positives in it."

AAP

Tags: sport, super-14, rugby-union, australia

First posted February 20, 2012 18:06:37

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Macqueen tipped to quit coaching

Updated June 13, 2011 15:25:00

Rod Macqueen is expected to confirm he will stand down next week as head coach of the Melbourne Rebels

Macqueen was saying little on Monday on what his Super Rugby future held.

But he confirmed there would be an announcement on his future next week - just days after he coaches the Rebels in their final match this season against the Western Force on Friday night in Melbourne.

Insiders suggest Macqueen will move away from day-to-day coaching, but remain involved in some capacity with the Rebels.

"We've had a succession plan in place from day one, and it's something we weren't likely to discuss until the end of the season," Macqueen said.

"This week, we really want to concentrate on the last game.

"But next week, we will be announcing exactly what's happening."

Assistant Damien Hill looms as the frontrunner to succeed Macqueen, especially if the succession plan the ex-Wallabies coach speaks about is followed to the letter.

Macqueen spent 18 months establishing the Rebels in Melbourne, building a squad, then steering them to three wins in 15 matches this season.

But despite the best performance by a Super Rugby expansion club they will finish with the wooden spoon after having lost their past eight games.

"We've got a very good presence now in Melbourne. Surveys suggest we've done a lot of things right off the field," Macqueen said.

"From our perspective now, we have to take what we learned this year and put it on the paddock for next year.

"It's been a great challenge. I came here with my eyes open and what hasn't let me down is the Melbourne public and the way they've embraced rugby."

Macqueen said defence would be a key area to work on for next season, and the club would benefit from having had a year to bed down before beginning a preseason on similar footing to other clubs.

"We haven't done as well on the field as we would have liked ... (2012) will be a totally different year," he said.

"We'll be able to be a lot more normal in our approach than the other sides have been able to do.

"We had to start from scratch this year, learn our different ways of playing, our moves, our calls, our structures, get to know each other.

"All of that's been done now."

- AAP

Tags: sport, rugby-union, super-14, australia, vic, melbourne-3000

First posted June 13, 2011 15:04:00

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