Walsh is keen on second helping

NEW ZEALAND referee Steve Walsh believes the modern professional game is now too “complex” for just one on-field official to handle and has called on the International Rugby Board (IRB) to learn from other sports and be more open to the idea of using two referees.

“I do think the game is too complex for one guy to be able to adjudicate and get right as much as what people’s expectations are, really,” Walsh told the Sydney Morning Herald.

“I just think that it is the complexity of the laws at the breakdown, really. The most challenging (facet of a game) is the mental fatigue.

“We are all out there in a battle of wills with the players. They are trying to get up on the opposition and us.”

Walsh was heavily criticised for his performance in NSW Waratahs’ recent Super 14 victory over the ACT Brumbies and concedes he made mistakes in that game.

But the controversial referee, who was stood down from the Brumbies’ game against the Queensland Reds last week, believes errors would be limited with the introduction of a second referee.

“The split-second judgment that you hope as a world-class referee . . . you want to get that decision right all the time, but there are times where you just miss it,” said Walsh.

The IRB have trialled using two on-field referees and Walsh has spoken informally about the idea to IRB referees’ chief Paddy O’Brien, but believes there is no support for it in the game.

“Look at the rest of the world (and sports) that have been professional longer than we have — I am talking about American football and NBA,” said Walsh.

“They all have more officials. The same officials work together as a team week-in, week-out.

“They have found that’s the best way to deliver a better result from the refereeing side. There is no will for that (in rugby).

“But I am convinced, 20 years or so down the track, that is something that will happen.”