Select Edition

Northern Northern
Southern Southern
Global Global
NZ NZ

Calling time on backchat - Letter to the Editor

By RugbyPass
Jaco Peyper (Getty)

Football has many virtues. It also has some habits that rugby fans find confusing and distasteful. Perhaps we shouldn’t be so righteous, as these same habits are creeping into rugby.

ADVERTISEMENT

Two things characterise the slow lurch to imitate football. Firstly, indiscriminate backchat to the referee. Secondly, feigning injury or melodrama to encourage sanctions.

Rugby has always coveted its reputation for lack of backchat to referees in contrast to football. Now, technology has enabled us to hear almost everything said on the field. This is a good thing. It brings the fans closer to the game: warts ‘n all.

The rugby referees panel have unintentionally contributed to the increase in backchat. Recently they have taken to calling all players (not just the captain) by their first names. Which, I don’t necessarily disagree with, but it breeds familiarity.

Two weeks ago Luke Pearce spent time virtually coaching Scarlett’s forwards how to defend a 5m lineout. Dialogue between the referee and the players has extended to praise, gratitude and criticism.

1. “Well done” if a player stops jackaling when they go off their feet (which is the law).
2. “Thank you” when a tackler stays on the ground and doesn’t interfere with the 9 to 10 passing lane.
3. ”You’re pushing him back in” when attacking players pin defenders to the ruck (hoping to extract a penalty)

This referee commentary should stop. Players feel entitled to discuss decisions with the referee while the game is in motion. The job of refereeing is already fiendishly difficult. Justifying decisions and thanking players is not necessary. This level of commentary from the referee has encouraged players to question and court the referee about his or her decisions as they move around the field in open play.

ADVERTISEMENT

A second unintended consequence is that players have stopped judging the law for themselves. The referee tells players whether they are legal or not. As a result, a jackalling player thinks: “If I haven’t been communicated to by the referee, I’m legal”. Players should find out where the law lies via the referees whistle, not by following their commentary.

Continue reading below

Video Spacer

Pressure breeds rule-manipulation. Look no further than Steve Smiths recent regrets, Team Sky allegations or Bloodgate. With so much at stake in professional sport, the line between the letter, and the spirit of the law is foggy. Much like diving for penalties in football, rugby is emerging with its own set of distasteful manipulations.

In particular:
1. Acting class – Nathan Catt demonstrates his theatric side immediately after Teimana Harrison’s head butt/knock. Or Vakatawa against Munster.
2. Coordinated bellowing – Where multiple players all ritualistically chant something at the official to encourage a decision. Such as holding up a player in the tackle (“Maul Maul Maul!”)

Two simple things should happen to address this. Firstly, referees should start ignoring and rebuffing idol chat from players. Something Romain Poite did masterfully to Val Rapava Ruskin in Gloucester’s excellent win over Connacht. Following that, referees should use free kicks more liberally for excessive backchat. Penalties would be overkill at this stage. Secondly, senior players and leaders could remind squads about their duty to uphold the core values of the game.

ADVERTISEMENT

In isolation, these instances are rarely game-changing, but the cumulative effect is one that is scratching away at the fibre of rugby union; game by game. Recently there has been two homophobic slurs sanctioned and at Park Y Scarlets allegations of racism from fans. Thankfully we don’t have to worry about emulating football by segregating fans: yet. The preservation of one of the sports most laudable qualities is at stake. It must be protected.

This letter was submitted to RugbyPass by Richard Mayson. If you would like to submit a letter, please send it to media@rugbypass.com for consideration.

Dan Carter Interview:

Video Spacer
ADVERTISEMENT

Join free

Aotearoa Rugby Podcast | Episode 6

Sam Warburton | The Big Jim Show | Full Episode

Japan Rugby League One | Sungoliath v Eagles | Full Match Replay

Japan Rugby League One | Spears v Wild Knights | Full Match Replay

Boks Office | Episode 10 | Six Nations Final Round Review

Aotearoa Rugby Podcast | How can New Zealand rugby beat this Ireland team

Beyond 80 | Episode 5

Rugby Europe Men's Championship Final | Georgia v Portugal | Full Match Replay

Trending on RugbyPass

Comments

Join free and tell us what you really think!

Sign up for free
ADVERTISEMENT

Latest Features

Comments on RugbyPass

A
Adrian 1 hours ago
Will the Crusaders' decline spark a slow death for New Zealand rugby?

Thanks Nick The loss of players to OS, injury and retirement is certainly not helping the Crusaders. Ditto the coach. IMO Penny is there to hold the fort and cop the flak until new players and a new coach come through,…and that's understood and accepted by Penny and the Crusaders hierarchy. I think though that what is happening with the Crusaders is an indicator of what is happening with the other NZ SRP teams…..and the other SRP teams for that matter. Not enough money. The money has come via the SR competition and it’s not there anymore. It's in France, Japan and England. Unless or until something is done to make SR more SELLABLE to the NZ/Australia Rugby market AND the world rugby market the $s to keep both the very best players and the next rung down won't be there. They will play away from NZ more and more. I think though that NZ will continue to produce the players and the coaches of sufficient strength for NZ to have the capacity to stay at the top. Whether they do stay at the top as an international team will depend upon whether the money flowing to SRP is somehow restored, or NZ teams play in the Japan comp, or NZ opts to pick from anywhere. As a follower of many sports I’d have to say that the organisation and promotion of Super Rugby has been for the last 20 years closest to the worst I’ve ever seen. This hasn't necessarily been caused by NZ, but it’s happened. Perhaps it can be fixed, perhaps not. The Crusaders are I think a symptom of this, not the cause

11 Go to comments
T
Trevor 4 hours ago
Will forgotten Wallabies fit the Joe Schmidt model?

Thanks Brett.. At last a positive article on the potential of Wallaby candidates, great to read. Schmidt’s record as an international rugby coach speaks for itself, I’m somewhat confident he will turn the Wallaby’s fortunes around …. on the field. It will be up to others to steady the ship off the paddock. But is there a flaw in my optimism? We have known all along that Australia has the players to be very competitive with their international rivals. We know that because everyone keeps telling us. So why the poor results? A question that requires a definitive answer before the turn around can occur. Joe Schmidt signed on for 2 years, time to encompass the Lions tour of 2025. By all accounts he puts family first and that’s fair enough, but I would wager that his 2 year contract will be extended if the next 18 months or so shows the statement “Australia has the players” proves to be correct. The new coach does not have a lot of time to meld together an outfit that will be competitive in the Rugby Championship - it will be interesting to see what happens. It will be interesting to see what happens with Giteau law, the new Wallaby coach has already verbalised that he would to prefer to select from those who play their rugby in Australia. His first test in charge is in July just over 3 months away .. not a long time. I for one wish him well .. heaven knows Australia needs some positive vibes.

21 Go to comments
B
Bull Shark 8 hours ago
Jake White: Are modern rugby players actually better?

Of the rugby I’ve born witness to in my lifetime - 1990 to date - I recognize great players throughout those years. But I have no doubt the game and the players are on average better today. So I doubt going back further is going to prove me wrong. The technical components of the game, set pieces, scrums, kicks, kicks at goal. And in general tactics employed are far more efficient, accurate and polished. Professional athletes that have invested countless hours on being accurate. There is one nation though that may be fairly competitive in any era - and that for me is the all blacks. And New Zealand players in general. NZ produces startling athletes who have fantastic ball skills. And then the odd phenomenon like Brooke. Lomu. Mcaw. Carter. Better than comparing players and teams across eras - I’ve often had this thought - that it would be very interesting to have a version of the game that is closer to its original form. What would the game look like today if the rules were rolled back. Not rules that promote safety obviously - but rules like: - a try being worth 1 point and conversion 2 points. Hence the term “try”. Earning a try at goals. Would we see more attacking play? - no lifting in the lineouts. - rucks and break down laws in general. They looked like wrestling matches in bygone eras. I wonder what a game applying 1995 rules would look like with modern players. It may be a daft exercise, but it would make for an interesting spectacle celebrating “purer” forms of the game that roll back the rules dramatically by a few versions. Would we come to learn that some of the rules/combinations of the rules we see today have actually made the game less attractive? I’d love to see an exhibition match like that.

29 Go to comments
FEATURE
FEATURE Juan Ignacio Brex: 'Italy made history, but it's not enough' Juan Ignacio Brex: 'Italy made history, but it's not enough'
Search