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The Voice From the Stands

Monday 30th June 2008

The villain: Goddard ruined the game between Argentina and Italy

I know there is only one game left under the old laws, but if ever there was an advert for ELVs then it was Saturday's Test between Argentina and Italy.

The game was the worst I have seen for as long as I can remember, maybe even of all time. Over thirty penalties, ten free-kicks, twenty-plus scrums and a set of match officials with as much common sense and understanding as a bucket of frog spawn.

We all know it is down to the two teams' will to play enterprising rugby, but even then you can't account for the whistle-happy Matt Goddard who clearly thought he was at a rave and not charged with officiating a Test match.

Having watched an entire season of Super 14 under the ELVs I never thought I would end up supporting the changes of law, but having witnessed Italy's dour win in Cordoba I have been swayed - more out of the fear of having to watch a game that boring again.

This is not to say the old laws are detrimental to running rugby, as all you have to do is take a look at the Top 14 Final between Toulouse and Clermont. Both sides, aided by competent officials, played an attacking brand of rugby that flowed from start to finish.

You can't help but feel for Clermont though, who were appearing in their ninth Top 14 Final and are still without a single victory to their names. Clearly Clermont and Vern Cotter have taken a leaf out of Gloucester's book of how not to finish a season!

Speaking of the new laws, this weekend marks the start of the 2008 Tri-Nations, although I struggle to see anything but an All Black win - not just this weekend but overall as well. Even without Richie McCaw I can't see the Springboks or Australia mounting serious challenges.

Without going too far into the Springboks squad I just don't think they have the right blend, or enough back-up in key positions to mount a sustainable bid for the title. I have no doubt they will turn a few heads with one big win, but they will not be able to cope with the injuries and fatigue that goes with this tournament.

Australia, who struggled past France at the weekend, have shown glimpses of what they can do under Robbie Deans but as of yet have failed to convince me of their ability to play rugby for eighty minutes. Within twelve months Australia could be the best team in the world, but for now the Tri-Nations has come a might early for them.

There are worries about how New Zealand will fare without Richie McCaw, who is a big loss, but he does not make the team. I personally think New Zealand will have too much depth to be troubled by the other two, not forgetting the return to form of Dan Carter.

As mentioned last week we are starting a new section to 'The Voice From the Stands', where you the reader have a chance to ask a question or request an opinion on a certain topic, and we in return answer or debate the point at hand. So without further ado here is the first point of debate...

Your View

This week's talking point was raised by Stuart Smith in Canada and is, not surprisingly, Matt Goddard's officiating between Argentina and Italy.

What can I say, Matt Goddard was not on form. What annoyed me was his willingness to give penalties, even if they were not necessarily connected to the game, such as endless breakdown penalties even though the ball was free to be played.

I can understand a referee needs to stamp his authority on a game, but giving thirty-odd penalties is not the answer, especially if you are not going to back them up with further punishment. On more than one occasion Goddard warned both captains and yet he continued to allow players to infringe.

The simple solution to this problem would have been yellow cards, that way players are aware they can't get away with infringing and the game is opened up by players being off the field. Instead the only yellow card we saw was for an attempted punch by Juan Gómez - presumably out of frustration at yet another reset scrum due to Goddard's inability to control the set piece.

Let's hope we don't see Goddard near a Test match in the near future, or if we do someone please take the pea out of his whistle.

What's eating you this week?

By Marcus Leach

The Voice From the Stands will return on July 28.