Aussies react to James critics

THE refereeing of Australian official Matthew James in the first test remains controversial.

According to a report in one of Melbourne’s newspapers, he has been advised that he could sue former Irish boss Colm O’Rourke for criticisms made of him in O’Rourke’s newspaper column. And, GAA President Sean Kelly entered the debate yesterday, saying in an interview that James ‘made a few calls that were difficult to understand.’

It would be up to the committee responsible for monitoring the referees to ‘query’ any decisions which they felt merited review, he added. Croke Park ‘Head of Games’ Pat Daly is a member of the committee.

Matthew James is regarded as one of the emerging talents in the AFL umpires squad and has taken charge of three Grand Finals.