Carl Collett: Free-running Australia send angry Springboks packing 

By Carl Collett, 26 July 2010

Australia 30 (17)
South Africa 13 (3)

Robbie Deans warned his players before the game  that the Boks would launch a heavy attack in the opening minutes of the game,  but in the first 10 minutes it was the Wallabies who had over 80% possession, while a wild tackle from forward  Jaque Fourie earned him a yellow card and a subsequent four-week ban.

Clearly there was tension in the Springbok camp that led to error after error, and sure enough after 13 minutes Matt Giteau capitalized to kick the game's opening penalty and put Australia 3-0 ahead.

The home side's lead proved temporary however as Australia?s forward failed to stay on their feet and the Springboks soon levelled the score with ease.

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Carl Collett's View from Down Under: Rod Macqueen - from Icon to Rebel 

By Carl Collett, 22 July 2010

(French Rugby Club columnist and former international referee Carl Collett this week talks with former Australia coach Rod Macqueen)

Rod Macqueen and Bob Dwyer are regarded as the two best Australian rugby coaches of all time. To have a discussion on rugby with Macqueen provides a clear perspective of where Australia is in today?s competitive world rugby matches.

I spoke with Rod about the new challenge he has given himself as coach of the next regional rugby team in Australia, The Melbourne ?Rebels?, to start in the Super 15 competition in 2011.

It's been ten years since Rod vacated the role as Australian Coach in 1991 but his appointment is still a huge coup for the new franchise. And while it?s no surprise to see Rod back in the coaching seat, his role with The Melbourne Rebels seems tailor made for a man of his character and ability.

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Carl Collett column: 'Jouer l'advantage' - Who?s calling the shots, the ref or the IRB?

By Carl Collett, 07 July 2010

(French Rugby Club columnist and former international referee Carl Collett this week examines how the differing interpretations of the advantage law are leading to on-field confusion)

As an international team runs onto the playing field they are under clear instructions from their coach on how to play the game. Surprisingly, though, it seems the referee is under similar instructions from the refereeing coach at the IRB.

Rugby Law is not rocket science and it is not surprising that the IRB?s coordinator for 'Referee Development' and myself - a former international referee - have differing views on how the advantage law should be refereed, and indeed that referees should be told how to referee this law, but more on that later.

The best rule in the rugby book on the laws of the game is one little known by rugby watchers and perhaps the least applied by international referees. It?s the 'Law of Advantage' and if it?s accepted as being the ?best? then why is our current crop of international referees reluctant to use it to bring back our game to its exciting best?

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Carl Collett column: Robbie Deans is sitting uncomfortably as a Kiwi in the Wallaby camp 

27 June 2010

(French Rugby Club gives a big welcome to former international referee, part-time French resident and rugby journalist Carl Collett as the Australian joins the site as our latest columnist to give us a flavour of life Down Under. This week he examines how former All Black Robbie Deans is coping as the head coach of Australia's currently struggling national side)

What would qualify an All Black to be welcome in the Wallaby camp? A good question, easily answered.  He needs a great playing record, international caps for the All Blacks and the best coaching record to date in the Super 12 and Super 14 competition.

Couple this impressive playing record with being a great man-manager and Robbie Deans, an All Black from New Zealand, was initially a welcome addition to the Wallaby Test team as head coach when appointed in 2008.

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