Wallabies great Jeremy Paul has delivered a blunt assessment of refereeing standards in international rugby, urging World Rugby to urgently address what he sees as glaring inconsistencies that frustrate both players and fans.
The former Australian hooker’s comments came in the wake of the Wallabies’ 33–24 defeat to New Zealand at Eden Park, where a string of contentious decisions left head coach Joe Schmidt openly questioning officiating standards. Australia were penalised 15 times compared to the All Blacks’ 10, with several calls drawing heavy scrutiny.
Key flashpoints
Harry Potter’s yellow card in the closing stages was described as harsh by pundits and supporters.
A lifting tackle by Jordie Barrett on James O’Connor went unpunished despite being reviewed, contrasting with similar incidents in other matches where yellow cards were issued.
Overall, Schmidt lamented the lack of clarity, saying it was difficult for coaches and players to adjust when the same offences are treated differently across games.
Paul’s clear stance
Paul, who earned 72 Test caps for Australia, said referees should never be blamed for defeats but admitted the current lack of consistency was damaging the spectacle.
“I want to make this point very clear: the referee will never lose you a game … he awards the penalties. But the big thing for me is the entertainment value, and those kinds of inconsistencies are what is really frustrating for fans,” Paul said.
The Wallabies legend highlighted a recent women’s final where a near-identical lifting tackle was immediately sanctioned with a yellow card, pointing out the contradiction with Barrett’s challenge in Auckland.
A plea to World Rugby
Paul acknowledged the difficulty of achieving uniform standards across competitions, given variations in officiating styles, but insisted World Rugby must step in to create greater clarity.
“It’s hard to align refereeing globally, but that’s where World Rugby needs to show leadership. These decisions affect the credibility of the game,” he argued.
Growing pressure on officials
The remarks add to mounting calls from players, coaches, and analysts for improved consistency at the elite level. With major tournaments looming, pressure is intensifying on World Rugby to review referee training, guidance, and accountability.
For Paul, the message is simple: referees don’t decide matches, but their interpretations should not leave players, coaches, or fans second-guessing what the rules actually mean.