Gatland unimpressed by performance of referee Pollock

Lions boss says New Zealander’s interpretation of breakdown was a big problem

Referee Chris Pollock watches as Australia’s Kurtley Beale  slips and misses a penalty in the last minute of the first Test against the British & Irish Lions in Brisbane. Photograph:  Cameron Spencer/Getty Images
Referee Chris Pollock watches as Australia’s Kurtley Beale slips and misses a penalty in the last minute of the first Test against the British & Irish Lions in Brisbane. Photograph: Cameron Spencer/Getty Images

British & Irish Lions coach Warren Gatland was unimpressed by the performance of New Zealand referee Chris Pollock during the first Test in Brisbane.

Despite saying he would take the decisions that went against the Lions “on the chin“, he then listed in full where he thought they were.

His difference with Pollock‘s interpretation of the laws started with Brian O‘Driscoll being penalised twice in the first six minutes.

“I thought it was tough in the breakdown,“ he said.

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“Brian O‘Driscoll was penalised twice and he was clearly on his feet early in the first half and Brian told me that we afraid to go to the breakdown and compete because he felt there was a yellow card situation.

“You look at all those situations and you think there are a few chances we missed out on. The breakdown was hotly contested by both teams.

“I think that referees come in from provincial or Super Rugby there is a huge step up in intensity and having to make decisions.“