November 06, 2004
By Richard Beard
(extract)

The short-wave radio Reflink, available at Twickenham and several
Premiership grounds, has also contributed to this humanisation of the
referee. He speaks, he breathes (often very heavily), he stutters and gets
confused. Anyone genuinely interested in what a good referee is saying can
save money on Reflink by watching any match involving Tony Spreadbury. You
don't need radio assistance to hear him, and his reffing works on the
principle that because he's talking, he must be watching.

While referees are often perceived to be unjust, the Reflink has
accidentally revealed the greater injustice of players. The most shameful
performance overheard so far comes from John Eales in the 1999 World Cup
final. Eales repeatedly bluffed Andre Watson that he'd take his team off the
pitch (in the World Cup final!) if France weren't penalised for gouging, a
horrible crime but one for which on this occasion there was no evidence.
Four year later, the same referee whistled the 2003 final as if the
Wallabies were still about to take their ball home.

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article...345763,00.html