Springboks coach Allister Coetzee has plans to meet with Nigel Owens ahead of tomorrow’s Rugby Championship clash with the Wallabies, describing the Welshman as one of the world's best referees.
Coetzee confirmed yesterday he requested a pre‑match meeting with Owens and under World Rugby regulations, an invitation must now be extended to Michael Cheika and the Australian coaching staff to join them.
After their Bledisloe Cup defeat in Wellington last month, a "bitterly disappointed" Cheika accused referee Romain Poite and Owens ‑ the referee in last year's World Cup final ‑ of having preconceived ideas about Australian players and ignoring approaches from captain Stephen Moore.
The Springboks play the Wallabies at 10.05pm tomorrow while the All Blacks play Argentina at 7.35pm tomorrow.
Source: stuff.co
