11 Sep 2007

Samoa rugby coach says refs must get it right at the World Cup

8:36 am on 11 September 2007

Samoa rugby coach,Michael Jones,says referees are paid and trained enough to get it right ninety-five per cent of the time.

His captain, Semo Sititi, questioned aspects of the referring in yesterday's heavy opening World Cup loss to South Africa in Paris.

Like Setiti the former All Black great isn't making the referee the excuse for the loss but says he'd like to think referees at the cup are looking at teams through the same lenses.

Jones says everyone is accountable because there's so much at stake at the cup and refs have to get it right, especially with the smaller nations like Samoa

Meanwhile winger, Brian Lima, is still being assessed after suffering a suspected concussion.

Lima became the first player ever to play at five World Cups, when he came on yesterday, but a head clash made his appearance short lived.

Jones says it would be tragic if yesterday's effort was Lima's last hurrah given what he has achieved.