Taylor slams IRB for lack of neutral officials
June 19, 2000

In the wake of another disputed decision in international rugby, fomer Wales international and British Lion John Taylor has attacked the IRB for "failing to cover every possibility in their adoption of new law".

Speaking in his exclusive column for Scrum.com, Taylor has spoken strongly about what he believes should be a straight forward rule.

Referee Mark Lawrence ruled out a Tim Stimpson try that would have swung the game England's way, and Taylor states: "It was a clear penalty try and the International Rugby Board must take the blame for allowing a bad home town decision to give the Springboks victory."

Recalling his own experiences he continues: "We always had neutral referees for the Five Nations Championship but whenever we went to the Southern Hemisphere we had to put up with local officials. With only one exception over the seven years I played international rugby I can honestly say they were all 'homers' - however hard they tried they just could not help themselves."

Taylor believs the laws are there to prevent simple mistakes but are not being implemented correctly. He says: "When will the IRB learn that Sod's Law dictates that the unexpected will always happen? They must act now and bring in a neutral official for the Bloemfontein Test."

To read John Taylor's column in full click here.

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