RUGBY: Dickinson was ready to apologise to French

11/06/2007

NZPA - Yahooxtra

Australian rugby referee Stuart Dickinson said he was ready to apologise to the French rugby team for some errors when coach Bernard Laporte verbally attacked him in public.

Dickinson is expected to file a report today to both the Australian Rugby Union and the International Rugby Board regarding Friday's verbal stoush in a Wellington hotel.

Laporte allegedly threatened to have a negative influence on Dickinson's career.

Fairfax general manager of sport, Trevor McKewen, overheard the tense exchange between Dickinson and Laporte.

"If you are appointed to any French games at the World Cup, the French team will not turn up," Laporte was heard telling Dickinson.

IRB referees head Paddy O'Brien said there was no excuse for Laporte's behaviour if he had threatened Dickinson.

He said Dickinson was not at his best in the All Blacks' 42-11 first-test win over France, which had sparked Laporte's tirade on the eve of the second test.

Dickinson was a touch judge in the second test, won 61-10 by the All Blacks.

"It wasn't the usual Dickinson refereeing and he knows that," O'Brien said of the first test.

That did not give Laporte the right to abuse him.

Australian Rugby Union referees' boss Peter Marshall said he spoke to Dickinson about the incident on Sunday.

"I just want due process, not to create a storm," Marshall said.

"It's important not to get too carried away but let's not ignore it either."

Dickinson said Laporte's behaviour was unexpected but would not elaborate.

"It's the first time I've run across something like this," Dickinson told Fairfax media.

He said he had arranged to meet Laporte in the foyer of a Wellington hotel because he had heard Laporte was upset about his handling of the first test in Auckland.

He said he had reviewed the video of the game, spotted only minimal mistakes and was prepared to apologise to the French team for them.

"I was talking to Bernard and looking to apologise for some of my decisions," Dickinson said.

"I wanted to make clear that I made one or two errors and was ready to put my hand up. It was probably not the most favourable of discussions.

"Bernard became upset and, not wanting it to become a full-blown argument, I just thought `let's just get through this' then I'd wait for things to calm down and for cool heads."

Using his laptop, Laporte confronted Dickinson with selected highlights of his performance from the first test and said: "You do this tomorrow and you will be finished."

Marshall said that was disappointing.

"There are more appropriate channels to go through if coaches feel they haven't been fairly treated," Marshall said.

"Those reports go to the IRB for future referee selections for test matches."

O'Brien said he expected a report from Dickinson today.

IRB spokesman Greg Thomas said if Laporte was found to have breached the code of conduct then any disciplinary action against the coach would initially be in the hands of the French national union (FFR).

Thomas said if the FFR's response was not deemed sufficient then the IRB could impose further punishment.

Dickinson was ready to apologise to French