Boots and all | Go with the best even if the ref is not neutral, says Eddie Jones

Take a bow, Tim Baker. Eddie Jones believes you are one of the best referees in Asia and should have been in charge of the last game in the Asia Rugby Championship between Hong Kong and Japan even though you are a Hong Kong referee.

Japan’s national coach has called for the best referees in Asia to be in charge of the Top Three competition in the future and pooh-poohed the idea that a neutral referee should always be in place.

A neutral referee is an oxymoron. Jones was impressed with Baker’s handling of the first match between Japan and South Korea. Why spoil a good game by appointing a referee who might not be as competent simply because he does not come from Japan or Hong Kong.

Jones expressed his view on the eve of last Saturday’s encounter. He would have felt justified after the game was abandoned due to the deluge that fell on Aberdeen Sports Ground.

Jones made clear in no uncertain terms that the game should have gone on. Would Baker have ruled differently than the referee from the United Arab Emirates? I doubt it. As Hong Kong head coach Andy Hall described it, “common sense prevailed”.

Hall, with his flowing locks, only needed a scraggy beard and he would have been perfect for the role of Noah as he stood on the pitch with the water flowing around his ankles.

“It would have been a struggle to have a boat out there let alone play rugby,” was the prophetic view from Hall.