Ref errors 'swept under the carpet'

Retired former Test referee Jonathan Kaplan has taken aim at officialdom he feels are sweeping under the carpet mistakes by under-performing match officials.


Writing in his weekly column on his website, RatetheRef, Kaplan was particularly scathing of two officials, Australian Angus Gardner and New Zealander Chris Pollock.


Despite describing Gardner as "one of the best [referees] so far this season, Kaplan did not hold back over his performance in the Rebels' 42-22 win over the Blues in Melbourne last Friday.


He felt there was a "critical error" by Gardner at an "important juncture"…