Ref Watch: A little forward don't you think?
We probably all worked out fairly early in this World Cup that the question of head contact and everything that surrounds it would occupy plenty of column inches and create just as much social media angst.
What was less easy to anticipate was that the bunker system introduced on a trial basis over the summer then extended into our sport’s showpiece would quickly gain an array of such vocal critics.
And here’s the thing – as someone who has been involved in the sport for over 40 years as player, referee, touch judge and journalist I am completely unable to understand where they are coming from.
“Why doesn’t the referee just give a straight red card,” seems to be a regular response when a yellow card recipient for foul play has his case sent to the bunker for more careful examination.
Awarding a red card – the ultimate sanction – is not something that any team of match officials wants to get wrong.
As we have seen in top-level rugby across the globe since the TMO came into general use and the range of camera angles grew, the referee therefore considers every piece of available information and listens to any relevant opinion before going to his pocket.
Of course this takes time – perhaps three or four minutes on some occasions – which is why the bunker concept was introduced.
Where the officials are confident that the offence under consideration merits at least a yellow card they are in effect allowing the viewing public, either at the ground or via TV, to get on with watching the match while experts in the background assess whether yellow or red is an appropriate sanction.
Since there is an eight-minute deadline by which this call must be confirmed the on-pitch outcome is entirely unaffected.
It seems to me that critics of the bunker would either prefer a return to waiting while a decision is reached onfield or want the referee to make a hasty decision about which they would doubtless then comment on it being rushed and on occasions therefore wrong.
I can only assume that the critics’ beef is with the loss of dramatic effect as the referee brandishes a red card in the moment, but surely this is both irrelevant and a small price to pay for improved accuracy?
There is a real parallel here with cricket’s use of the third umpire when a batter reviews an onfield lbw or caught decision and the fielding side’s celebrations are halted until the outcome is confirmed. While the crowd are denied an instant hit of euphoria (or despair) ultimately the decision made with the support of technology is substantially more likely to be correct.
For those with short memories, a contest with perhaps three or four TMO reviews meant ‘the two-hour test match’ was a very real concern not that long ago. Following the introduction of the bunker that is a phrase of the past while the likelihood of a rushed, bungled red card has also been hugely reduced.
So in short it’s quicker and less prone to errors and surely therefore positive?
Managing Persistent Infringement
When Fiji narrowly failed to come from behind and ended up claiming two bonus points in a losing cause against Wales early in the competition, referee Matthew Carley received loads of criticism for his failure to issue a yellow card to the under-pressure victors for their concession of four consecutive penalties during the early stages of the fourth quarter.
As I explained at the time there were mitigating factors at work – although in fairness I suspect given his time again the English whistler would have reached for his pocket following the fourth penalty.
It has therefore been interesting to note that we have during the third week of games had two similar scenarios – neither of which drew cards.
Samoa conceded seven penalties in the third quarter of their defeat by Japan. Given that one of these was a ‘back ten’ for dissent and another ended as a red card via the bunker there was also no suggestion that these were blown for a range of trivial technical offences.
Instead, one scrum penalty apart, the remainder were typical of the sort of infringements committed by an under-pressure side struggling to keep a foothold in the game.
Experienced South African Jaco Peyper was the man in charge but he declined to up the ante to a card – and interestingly the fourth quarter subsequently brought a 3-2 penalty count against Japan, which suggests he had no need to use the sinbin in order to cut the infringements.
Similarly, Georgia were penalised six times by Karl Dickson in the opening 20 minutes of their defeat by Fiji. Four of these infringements came in the tackle area while the Lelos were also blown twice at scrums.
The English whistler also played a 21st minute penalty advantage against Georgia in their defensive ‘red zone’ before blowing a subsequent offence.
The penalty count over the final hour of this contest was six against Fiji and seven against Georgia – so again Dickson’s approach could be said to have worked.
There is nothing in law that ties the referee to giving a yellow card for repeated infringement – it is a management tool at his disposal when he/she feels penalties and warnings are not being heeded.
Like advantage it will therefore be used in slightly different ways at different times by different officials and while that sometimes leaves them open to criticism we should also recognise when their chosen approach works.
Forward pass ref?
Regular readers will possibly recall that I am less than impressed and more than a bit confused by the modern concept that allows nebulous factors like ‘momentum’ and ‘the direction of the hands’ to determine that passes which travel several metres forwards are deemed to have gone backwards.
The pass with which Anton Lienert-Brown released Mark Telea for New Zealand’s second opening night score against France and Cheslin Kolbe’s try for South Africa against Ireland are both firmly in this camp in my humble opinion as doubtless are many more.
With Dickson and touch judge Pierre Brousset impeccably positioned and level with play it was therefore perhaps surprising (or if you’re with me pleasing) to see Georgia no.8 Tornike Jalagonia’s marginally forward scoring pass to Akaki Tabutsadze blown up as it would have been 15 years ago.
A vote for sanity!
Barnes the Commentator?
Wayne Barnes may well join the freelance pundit community when his whistling days come to an end – on those occasions he has already been seen as a TV expert he has always impressed.
But based on the evidence of Scotland’s win over Romania might he also fancy a go at commentating?
The veteran English whistler provided a word-perfect summary of Ollie Smith’s second half try – which given that it featured a relatively unusual set of circumstances was extremely useful.
“Released the ball in the tackle, stood up, picked it up and scored,” Barnes prevented Miles Harrison from needing to tell us.
Precisely…
Comments on RugbyPass
Why cant I watch Rugby games please?
1 Go to commentsBeautiful shot from Finau, end of story. Gutted for Shaun Stevenson though.
4 Go to commentsThe Chiefs definitely didn’t win ugly. They had the superior scrum, a dominant lineout, and their defence was excellent once the Waratahs scored their two tries (thanks to some lucky refereeing calls mind you). They put pressure on the Waratahs lineout throughout the game, and the mind boggles as to why the referee did not award a yellow card or a penalty try against the Waratahs for repeated scrum infringements on their own try line before Narawa’s first try. And the Chiefs were slick with their passing and running angles on attack. It was a dominant performance all round, even with many questionable refereeing decisions.
1 Go to commentsWasnt late. Ref 2 assistants andTMO all saw it so who are you to say it was?
4 Go to commentsAre the Brumbies playing the Blues twice in a row?
4 Go to commentsBig difference from the Saders. Forwards really muscled up and laid a solid platform. Scooter brought some steel and I liked the loosie combination. Newell has been rather disappointing this season but stepped up big time - happy also to see Franks dot down. He should do that more often! Reihana had a good game and there seems to be more flair and invention with him in the saddle. McNicoll plays well from the back and is reliable plus inventive when he joins the line. Keep it up chaps!
3 Go to comments🤦♂️🤣 who cares who’s the best . All I know is the All Blacks have the star coach but have few star players now …
31 Go to commentsJe suis sûr que Farrell est impatient de jouer avec Lopez et Machenaud et d’être entraîné par Collazo… 🤭
1 Go to commentsAn on field red (aka a full red) in SRP must surely carry a bigger suspension than a red card given by the bunker as that carries a 20 minute team punishment. Had Damon Murphy abdicated his responsibility as a ref and issued both Drua players a yellow, which would have been upgraded to a 20 minute red by the bunker, that would have killed Australia and New Zealand’s push for the 20 minute red to be trialled globally from July this year.
11 Go to commentsEver so often you all post a Danny Care story that isn’t the announcement that he has finally re-signed for one more, victory tour season at Quins and I’m just like, “well you fooled me again!” My absolute favorite player ever, we need to make his final year at the Stoop (and Twickers) official already. I know he supposedly snubbed France but I won’t feel better until he signs.
1 Go to commentslate hit what late hit it wasn’t at all late and can clearly see he was committed before the tackle
4 Go to commentsChristian Lio -Willies 2 try perfomance was a standout. As was captain Scott Barrett. Up front was where the boys won it.They are a great team and players. Fantastic Crusaders , you can keep going.
3 Go to commentsI don't know how the locals feel about that? I guess if you call yourselves the Worcester Wasps that might be appease. But really we need more teams in the Premiership in my view so they are not padding it out as they are at the moment. It might curtail so many players going abroad as well
5 Go to commentsNZ 😭😭😭is certainly rivaling England for best whingers cup!😭😭😭 !!!
31 Go to commentsYup. New Zealand won 3 out of 10 world cups played. SA 4 out of 8 attempts 30 Vs 50 per cent.🤔🤔
31 Go to commentsShould've done this years ago. Change Saturday kick off times to around 11am. Up and off and back home before 3pm, limit travel time too. Allows players to actually do something else with their Saturday that's family oriented or being rugby fans they could ‘watch’ pro rugby. Increases crowds etc. How can anyone that enjoys grassroots and pro rugby have to choose between the two on Saturdays?
9 Go to commentsI bet he inspired those supporters just as much.
1 Go to commentsBen Smith Springboks living rent free in his head 😊😂
67 Go to commentsGood to hear he would like to play the game at the highest level, I hadn’t been to sure how much of a motivator that was before now. Sadly he’s probably chosen the rugby club to go to. Try not to worry about all the input about how you should play rugby Joey and just try to emulate what you do on the league field and have fun. You’ll limit your game too much (well not really because he’s a standard athlete like SBW and he’ll still have enough) if you’re trying to make sure you can recycle the ball back etc. On the other hard, you can totally just try and recycle by looking to offload any and everywhere if you’re going to ground 😋
1 Go to commentsThis just proves that theres always a stat and a metric to use to justify your abilities and your success. Ben did it last week by creating an imaginary competition and now you did the same to counter his argument and espouse a new yardstick for success. Why not just use the current one and lets say the Boks have won 4 world cups making them the most successful world cup team. Outside of the world cup the All Blacks are the most successful team winning countless rugby championships and dominating the rankings with high win percentages. Over the last 4 years statistically the Irish are the best having the highest win rate and also having positive records against every tier 1 side. The most successful Northern team in the game has been England with a world cup title and the most six nations titles in history. The AB’s are the most dominant team in history with the highest win rate and 3 world cups. Lets not try to reinvent the wheel. Just be honest about the actual stats and what each team has been good at doing and that will be enough to define their level of success.
31 Go to comments