Paddy gives Irish refs a 'pass' mark

Springbok coach Peter de Villiers's conspiracy theories have been met with a strong counter from International Rugby Board referees boss Paddy O'Brien, who dismissed suggestions that his officials were not up to standard.

Springbok coach Peter de Villiers, famous for his outlandish media outbursts, on Thursday suggested that his team had been victims of a conspiracy to assist the All Blacks over the past fortnight.

De Villiers's latest public faux pas came after the Boks lost back-to-back Tests to the All Blacks - 12-32 in Auckland and 17-31 in Wellington.

(To read all about De Villiers' outburst, CLICK HERE!)

An astonished O'Brien told the NZ Herald that both Irish referees, Alan Lewis (Auckland) and Alain Rolland (Wellington), had received "favourable" assessments for their performances.

O'Brien said his global group of referees had been delivering strong standards in five key areas since the June internationals began.

"As far as the Tri-Nations is concerned, people have to agree the product is better than this time last year and we are pleased with both referees in both games," he told the Herald.

"Like everyone, they have areas to work on in their games but overall we have been very pleased with their attitude and delivery of performance."

O'Brien was not concerned that SARU President Oregan Hoskins and De Villiers were putting heat on George Clancy (who will referee the Boks' encounter with Australia this Saturday in Brisbane), and also Nigel Owens, Rolland and Wayne Barnes - who will referee the Tri-Nations Tests in South Africa) later in the Tri-Nations.

"The referees who do the Tri-Nations are our top referees, they have all been round the block," O'Brien said.

"It is only natural that a team losing is not going to be happy so our referees have to get above that and we believe they do."