Come on, that's a tautology. Of course, he has the authority to do so. That's not the point. The point is whether or not he is using that authority in a) accordance to the rules and b) a fair manner where discretion is permitted.
Teams get together when you tell the captain to have a word. That's the entire bloody point of having a word with your team. I find it unreasonable, borderline ridiculous, from the ref to wait for the captain's to say the last word and then restart without giving them time to spread back to defend. It's basically setting a trap. Sugarcoat it the way you want, that's what it is.