Referees manager Paddy O'Brien has apologised to Stuart Dickinson for publicly criticising his performance.
IRB chief referee backs down over Dickinson slur
Referees manager Paddy O'Brien has apologised to Stuart Dickinson for publicly criticising his performance during the the New Zealand-Italy Test last weekend.
The chief of IRB officials said he regretted 'breaching protocol' when slamming Aussie Dickinson for his handling of the scrum.
O'Brien said the referee needed scrum coaching because he had been "completely wrong" to repeatedly penalise the All Blacks in their 20-6 victory at the San Siro.
"I have unreservedly apologised to Stuart Dickinson for the action of publicly discussing elements of his performance review and would like to extend that apology to the Australian Rugby Union," he said.
"A clear and confidential best practice protocol exists for match official appraisal and feedback involving all stakeholders and I regret breaching this protocol."
