Venter warning over future of game
Brendan Venter has warned the International Rugby Board that the game will be harmed if they do not address the current problems at the breakdown.
Saracens' Rugby Director is furious that French referee Christophe Berdos failed to sin-bin three Leinster players during the second half of their 25-23 defeat when a rash of penalties prevented his team gaining momentum. And he threatened to return his team to playing a tedious kicking game in Europe and then reverting to their running game in league games.
Venter said: "Before the Heineken Cup began, I asked if we would have a conference so all the officials from abroad were in tune as to the new interpretations of the laws. Instead, we got some European referees in the Premiership, but there is a real danger that if we don't take action going into a World Cup year, the game of rugby is going to die, be killed stone dead because the public won't come to watch."
He added: "We'll end up playing one type of rugby in the league, another in Europe and when you get to the World Cup, wait and see which referee you get.
"Last season we won 10 games in a row playing a kicking game, a horrible game to watch but necessary because the breakdown regulations favoured defending teams.
"I may consider returning to that in Europe because there is no system in place to complain about these problems and that makes it a flawed competition."
And Venter is upset at the prospect of spending the remainder of the season without in-form fly-half Derick Hougaard, carried off in the 46th minute after collapsing on the pitch without being touched.
Venter said: "Derick was terrific, but it looks serious, it may be a torn Achilles. I can only hope it is not but scans will reveal the extent of his problem."
Jonathan Sexton kicked 20 points and scored a try as Leinster held out for a crucial Pool Two victory at Wembley.
Sexton said: "This is a huge win for us, although we made it difficult for ourselves during the second half. But we were up against a very fine team with a strong home record in the Heineken Cup."
