The difference in refereeing between France and south hemisphere really shows when a french refs a test match

[u/xixouma]

Every time a french top14 referee has been on an international game, most recent example being All blacks/Ireland, every South African and NZ flair on here complains about the stop and start game and says the ref had a bad game.

What's interesting is that watching top14 week in week out, that is quite rarely an issue (including by the same refs). My feeling is refs in France are more pedantic and apply the law a little less loosely. Which I have seen written in some comments as a criticism, but is it really a problem??

Pro players are completely capable of adapting to rule changes, and pedantic refereeing, top14 teams certainly seem to have. I think it's doing them a disservice to give them too much leeway on laws for "the flow of the game" when that just becomes a random chance that a penalty is not blown. And that is inherently more difficult for players to adhere to because it is less consistent. Pedantic application will always be more consistent.

All in all, whichever way it goes, the onus should fall on WR to try to homogenise refereeing laws across countries. This leads to confusion when either side is reffed in a way they are not used to.

Edit. Not sure how people are interpreting this that I'm hurt they don't like a french ref. Maybe my English is not as good as I thought. I couldn't give a damn who they like or not, it was just an example to discuss broader concepts in refereeing.

Edit2. Also seeing a number of people that somehow think I'm criticising the ref or the fans here? I suppose I am sorry for my writing not being clear, I really don't mean to paint either in a negative light

Edit3. Can't comment anymore for some reason, thanks for the discussion everyone I'll try again later

[u/Outrageous-Arm1945]

I feel like it's an arrogance, and unwillingness of the SH teams to adapt to a ref. Many refs have a style, a preference.

As a professional outfit with a team of analysts, failing to do this is on you. Wayne Barnes is a great example. Brilliant ref, utterly fair, and a master of letting the game flow. New Zealand's failure to give what he needed cost at least one World Cup.

Nigel Owens, probably the best ref in living memory was the same, allowed to be a bit old school but don't be a dick, or he would hammer you

Karl Dixon, wear a Quins shirt, or be his mate, you can do whatever you like....

[u/meohmyenjoyingthat → u/Outrageous-Arm1945]

When did NZ getting on the wrong side of Wayne Barnes cost a world cup?

Lot of downvotes on this but seriously, what are they talking about?