World Cup officials are satisfied that the tournament's 16 referees will adopt a co-ordinated approach to foul play and the line-out `jungle'. Different interpretations by northern and southern hemisphere officials have caused problems in the past, prompting the IRB to produce a guidance document that was used in both the Tri-Nations and Five Nations championships.
The opening game between Wales and Argentina in Cardiff tomorrow will be refereed by New Zealander Paddy O'Brien and he is confident the teams will give him few problems. "The Super 12 started slowly because players weren't used to stricter refereeing styles, but as it went on they adjusted and we saw some super rugby played," said O'Brien.
O'Brien added he was unconcerned about the new citing policy that some have suggested undermines the referee's authority. A committee watches each match on TV and then again on video and can cite a player for foul play, regardless of whether the referee saw the incident or even if the player had already been punished.
Meanwhile, troubled France, who had problems with fans during a practice session on Tuesday, trained behind closed doors yesterday ahead of their opening match against Canada in Beziers on Saturday. Canada have made one change to the side beaten by England last month. The switch comes at blindside flanker, where John Hutchinson is restored instead of English-based forward Ryan Banks.
Canada (v France) - S Stewart; W Stanley, D Lougheed, S Bryan, C Smith; G Rees (capt), M Williams; J Thiel, P Dunkley, R Snow, M James, J Tait, A Charron, D Baugh, J Hutchinson. Replacements: K Nichols, B Ross, J Graf, M Schmid, R Banks, R Bice, M Cardinal.
Catatonia's Cerys Matthews will launch tomorrow's 50-minute opening ceremony spectacular at the Millennium Stadium. The ceremony will also feature Shirley Bassey, Bryn Terfel, Michael Ball and Max Boyce as well as massed choirs.
