That was in the wake of Friday's Reds v Rebels Super Rugby AU game<\/a> that featured 32 penalties and a red card to Feao Fotuaika for a dangerous clean-out on Richard Hardwick.<\/p>\n Mehrtens had some sympathy for the likes of Fotuaika and said more leniency should be given at rucks to the attacking team.<\/p>\n SIGN UP<\/strong>:<\/strong><\/em> The only place rugby fans can watch every match is Stan Sport. Start a 30 day free trial now, for a limited time only<\/strong><\/em><\/a><\/p>\n "I just think as a product our game needs to be a lot more accurate, a lot more transparent, a lot more easily understood," Mehrtens said on Stan Sport's Rugby Heaven on Tuesday night.<\/a><\/p>\n "And I don't think the breakdown is being refereed very well at the moment at all.<\/p>\n "This is just an example. I'm not picking on Hardwick because I think every player worth their salt is trying to do this.<\/p>\n "Because once one player gets away with it, they're all going to try and do it, to steal the ball.<\/p>\n "I just don't see rucks being awarded, or rucks being created, in the minds of the referees.<\/p>\n READ MORE:<\/strong> Waratahs coach responds to sacking threat<\/strong><\/em><\/a><\/p>\n READ MORE:<\/strong> Presenter left in tears after Test captain interview<\/strong><\/em><\/a><\/p>\n READ MORE: <\/strong>What we learned from wild Super Rugby round<\/strong><\/em><\/a><\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n "I see too many times the players are latching onto the tackled player, just in an effort to be a pain in the butt, really, and not get cleaned out.<\/p>\n "Then they keep the ball in there \u2013 they're not actually trying to steal the ball, they're just keeping it in, trying to milk a penalty.<\/p>\n "And I just think we need to clean that up, we need to have cleaner rucks, I think we need to give more leniency to the attacking team and make it more difficult for the defence and that will improve the spectacle."<\/p>\n For a daily dose of the best of the breaking news and exclusive content from Wide World of Sports, subscribe to our newsletter by<\/strong><\/em> clicking here!<\/strong><\/em><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n