Ref Watch: 'If he has the ball in both hands that is not foul play'
The hugely experienced Wayne Barnes was an appropriate choice to take charge of a final round encounter which had plenty of relevance to the destination of this year’s Six Nations title.
And once again the man who is probably the world’s leading whistler looked and sounded totally in control of an entertaining contest.
A Great Communicator
You sense that the players trust Barnes and a lot of this comes from his ability to communicate with them. They may not always like what is says, but he is totally clear, and no-one is left in any doubt about why he has made each decision.
Plenty of social media critics dislike referees (including Barnes) who use players’ Christian names, but providing the referee is able to identify and speak to all 46 players on first-name terms I see no issues with it.
In addition to creating an environment in which everyone feels they are being dealt with “on a level” rather than being rebuked by a haughty head master, by far the best way to get someone’s attention is to preface your comment with their name.
“Ali, use it,” is an example of Barnes using this technique when speaking to Scotland’s scrum half Ali Price – “Blue nine, use it” works equally well, and for me neither are overly familiar.
Small Margins
TMO Stuart Terheege intervened to ask Barnes to look at possible foul play by Scotland’s loose head Pierre Schoeman who made forceful contact with Iain Henderson’s chin with his front arm while carrying hard into contact.
Had the prop’s arm not been in contact with the ball – especially if it had been braced – when it struck the Ireland lock in the face Barnes would have been required to adjudicate on foul play. Given the force evident a red card may well have resulted.
However, since Schoeman appeared to have both arms wrapped around the ball the incident became a legitimate collision. “If he has the ball in both hands he is pushing away,” Barnes told the TMO and the viewing public. “Iain Henderson is upright and that is not foul play.”
Once a Barrister…
New referees are quickly advised to develop an encyclopaedic knowledge of law as not having to pause for thought is critical in a pressurised environment.
As two or three of the fast-tracked ex-players who now officiate at the top level have shown, when your every word is heard on TV via the ref mike, requiring even a split second of ‘thinking time’ does little to inspire wider confidence in your decision-making ability.
Practicing barrister Barnes showed twice in the first half just how on top of the minutiae of the lawbook he remains. As Darcy Graham juggled then held a high ball Barnes advised: “Not a clean catch, you need a clean catch to call a mark.”
Then, as Scotland failed to retire ten metres from a quickly-tapped free kick he stopped the game and told the players: “He wasn’t ten metres so it’s another free kick,” before informing Johnny Sexton: “Remember they are allowed to charge it.”
Similarly in the second half as Scotland looked to him for a breakdown penalty he told the jackalling Rory Darge: “You have to lift the ball not just put your hands on it.”
It felt inevitable towards the end, but delighted that it's Van der Flier who gets the try.
Even aside from the 2 tries in the Six Nations so far, he's had a brilliant tournament and really developed into a top class flanker.#IREvSCO #SixNations pic.twitter.com/IjYK31imUa
— EK Rugby Analysis (@ek_rugby) March 19, 2022
TMO Usage
This is an area that really sets Barnes apart since his relaxed style and ability to process large amounts of information in real time allows him to involve the TMO while play continues.
“That’s not a knock-on is it,” he asked Terheege after the ball bobbled loose in the early stages, “They just ran into each other didn’t they?”
His approach also allowed the TMO to intervene and ask for a review of Pierre Schoeman’s try when once again his clarity and superb communication skills were evident. His blow-by-blow explanation was also particularly useful for the watching TV audience – a situation about which Barnes is doubtless fully aware.
“Once the knee lands he needs to place the ball. He’s allowed to extend out is arm and the ball is on the line so that’s a try for me,” he advised.
Similarly when showing Ben White a yellow card for his late deliberate knock-on, Barnes advised the players and viewing public that the Scotland replacement’s intervention had “denied an overlap” which succinctly explained why the offence was upgraded from a penalty.
Scrum Clarity
Plenty of noise surrounded the six scrum penalties which Mathieu Raynal awarded against Ireland during last week’s win over England.
And the situation has since been further complicated by Ireland’s suggestion that the French official’s post-match review told them a few of his calls should actually have gone in their favour.
Perhaps with this in mind, Barnes left no-one in any doubt when penalising Ireland. “No.1’s hips are out and no.3 has gone straight through him,” he said.
The match finished with Ireland conceding 10 penalties of which four were in the scrum while the visitors gave up two scrum penalties plus a further 14 elsewhere on the field. Four of the 10 scrums produced clean possession.
Ireland strike first in Dublin thanks to Dan Sheehan ? #GuinnessSixNations #IREvSCO pic.twitter.com/p91KZ2cP6m
— Guinness Six Nations (@SixNationsRugby) March 19, 2022
Wales v Italy
A dead rubber played in a flat atmosphere in Cardiff with Andy Brace in charge, the match had few talking points until the visitors pulled off a shock first Six Nations win in 36 attempts with a last-gasp converted try.
The Irish official – one of a group of referees who retain an outside chance of joining the big guns at France 2023 – had a good afternoon during which his simple-yet-clear communication stood out.
His consistent control of the offside line and the scrum, where eight set-pieces brought no resets and only two penalties, also impressed while it was good to see his consistent attempts to speed up play and prevent forwards buying themselves extra rest.
The Key Moment
It seemed unimportant at the time, but with hindsight the match hinged on Brace’s decision not to award Wales a try when replacement Wyn Jones was adjudged held up by tackler Braam Steyn.
Brace found himself on the ‘wrong’ side as Jones landed in goal, and having quickly moved to the open side advised TMO Joy Neville that his on-field decision was no try.
Given that the Welsh prop went to ground with the ball firmly tucked in his midriff, it is fair to say that most referees would have ruled in Jones’ favour, since a single arm or hand is rarely able to prevent any part of the ball touching the ground when it has the whole of the ball-carrier’s body weight is behind it.
Had Brace gone this way, the TMO would have needed to find clear evidence with which to overturn the call, and since none was present the hosts would have extended their lead to a match-clinching 11 (or 13) points.
An interesting comparison in both referee positioning and interpretation of a similar grounding scenario was seen in Barnes’ award of Cian Healy’s try late in the first half for Ireland against Scotland.
Sportsmanship at it's finest ?
Josh Adams gives his POTM medal to Ange Capuozzo after his sensational display helped Italy to their first ever win in Wales ?#GuinnessSixNations #WALvITA pic.twitter.com/CTj9q8JJvg
— Guinness Six Nations (@SixNationsRugby) March 19, 2022
Advantage?
Neville’s only other involvement came on the stroke of half-time when she was asked to look at a possible Italy try when players twice contested a loose ball following Paolo Garbisi’s hopeful cross kick.
Brace, who was playing advantage to Italy for a scrum penalty, waited to see if the in-goal pin-ball gave Italy a try-scoring opportunity before consulting Neville.
Before confirming that Owen Watkin had won the touchdown race, the TMO clearly had some concerns about Monty Ioane’s earlier aerial challenge on Johnny McNicholl which were not shared by the man in charge.
“It’s a good contest in the air then he (McNicholl) falls down,” was Brace’s verdict, but on another day Ioane’s aerial contact with Wales no.15’s shoulder would definitely have been penalised.
Had this been the case the penalty Italy conceded – which in law would have fallen in the foul play category – would have trumped the earlier scrum award and Wales would have been given the chance to clear their lines.
INCREDIBLE!!
Italy score a sensational try in the final moments to secure their first win since 2015 ?#GuinnessSixNations #WALvITA pic.twitter.com/lQizHDAypQ
— Guinness Six Nations (@SixNationsRugby) March 19, 2022
Pedantic or accurate?
After Italy conceded four penalties in their own 22 between the 15th and 21st minutes, Wales were doubtless slightly aggrieved that Brace had not issued the Azzurri with a warning.
And their frustration grew as the referee (almost apologetically) recalled Dewi Lake’s quick tap because the Wales hooker had failed to kick the ball before charging towards the visitors’ posts.
This actually happens a lot more regularly than you might imagine, usually when the player taking the quick tap is looking at the defence rather than the ball in an attempt to spot a gap.
In law a penalty kick is just that – and must therefore touch the boot – so failing to tap the ball is something of a schoolboy error. However, it really makes no difference to what follows, since neither side is disadvantaged by it, and is therefore one of those situations where referees often turn a blind eye.
Comments on RugbyPass
Sorry Morgan you must have been the “go to for a quote” ex player this week. Its rnd 6 and there is plenty of time to cement a starting 15 and finishing 8 so I have no such concerns.
1 Go to commentsGreat read. I wish you had done this article on the ROAR.
2 Go to commentsThe current AB coaching team is basically the Crusaders so it smacks of wanting their familiar leaders around. This is not a good look for the future of the ABs or the younger players in Super working their way up the player ladder. Razor is touted as innovative, forward looking but his early moves look like insecurity and insular, provincial thinking. He is the AB's coach not the Golden Oldies.
10 Go to commentsSimple reason for wanting him back. Robertson wants him as captain. Otherwise he wouldn’t be bothering chasing him. Not enough reason to come back just to mentor.
10 Go to commentsI had not considered this topic like this at all, brilliant read. I had been looking at his record at the Waratahs and thought it odd the Crusaders appointed him, then couple that with all that experience and talent departing and boom. They’ve got some great talent developing though, and in all honesty I don’t think anyone would be over confident taking them on in a playoff match, no matter how poor the first half of their season was. I think they can pull a game out of their ass when it counts.
2 Go to commentsNot a bad list but not Porecki and not Donaldson. Not because they are Tahs, or Ex Tahs, they are just not good enough. Edmed should be ahead. Far more potential. Wilson should be 8 and Valentini 6. Wilson needs to be told by his father and his coach, stop bloody running in to brick wall defence. You’re not playing under the genius Thorn any more. He’s a fantastic angle runner. The young new 8 from the Brumbies looks really good too. The Lonegrans are just too small for international rugby as is Paisami, as is Hamish Stewart at 12. Both great at Super Rugby level. Stewart could have been a great 10 if not for Brad Thorn. Uru should be there and so should Tupou. Tupou just needs good Australian coaching which he hasn’t been getting. I don’t think Schmidt will excite him.
2 Go to commentsIf he wants to come back then he should. He will be a major asset to the younger locks and could easily be played as an impact player off the bench coming on in the last 30. He is fit, strong and capable and has all the experience to make up for any loss in physical prowess. He could also be brought back with a view to coaching within the structures one day. Duane Vermeulen played until he was 37 or 38. He is now a roaming coach within the South African coaching structures. He was valuable in the last world cup and has been a major influence on Jasper Wiese and other young players which has helped and accelerated their development and growth. Whitelock could do the exact same thing for NZ
10 Go to commentsBrett Excellent words… finally someone (other than DC) has noted that Hanigan is very hard and very good at doing what Backrow should do… his performance via the Drua sauna was quite daunting for those on the other side… very high tackle count… carries with good end result… constant threat to make a good 20-25 meters with those long legs… providing his mass effectively to crunching the Drua pack… Finally he is returning to quality form… way to much injury time over the last 2 years… smart-strong-competent in his skills… caught every lineout throw aimed at him and delivered clean pass to whoever was down below… and he worked hard for the whole 80 minutes… Ned has to be in the top 5 for backrow honors… He knows what is required as he has been there before…
20 Go to commentsI think Sam Whitelock should not touch a return with a bargepole. He went out on a high, playing in the RWC Final. He would be coming back into a team that will be weaker than last years, and might even be struggling to win games, especially against the Boks. Stay in France, enjoy another year with Pau, playing alongside his brother.
10 Go to commentsRyan Coxon has been very impressive considering he was signed by WF as injury cover whilst Uru has been a standout for QR, surprised neither of those mentioned
2 Go to commentsIt’s the massive value he brings with regard team culture/values, preparation, etc. Can’t buy that. I’m hoping to see the young locks get their chance in the big games though.
10 Go to commentsAll good, Gregor, except that you neglected to mention Sam Darry amongst that talented pool of locks. In fact, given Hannah’s inexperience and the fact that Holland won’t be eligible until next year, Lord and Darry might be the frontrunners this year, to join Barrett, Tuipoluto, Va’ii and possibly Whitelock. In fact there might be room for all of them if Barrett played 6 (like Ollie Chessum).
10 Go to commentsHis value is stabilizing the ship 20 - 40 minutes out from the final whistle plus his valuable experience to the underlings coming through.
10 Go to commentsWhat is criminal is she acts like it's no problem her actions have have cause the Italian player to lose her playing career, lose salary, if she did this in day to day life she would be in jail, she is a complete thug!!!
3 Go to commentsCorrect me if i’m wrong but the sadas have to win all games running into the finals yeh nah?
1 Go to commentsDon’t like Diamond but the maul is a joke, the sight of a choke tackle creating a maul then players in offside positions flopping on it killing the ball but then getting the put in? Banal.
3 Go to commentsHopefully Tabai Matson returns to Crusaders as head coach next season.
1 Go to commentsstorm in a teacup really. Penalty only so play on as the try was scored. Now the real question is: why was Maitland allowed to pass the ball off the floor? That is illegal but refs never pick it up.
1 Go to commentsWhen Beauden Barrett signed his contract before the 2023 RWC to play in Japan in 2024, it was NOT part of a sabbatical agreed to with NZRU prior to his signing, as was Ardie Savea and Sam Cane. Barrett changed his mind after the fact and negotiated his return to NZ Rugby and he was given permission to be eligible for All Black selection straight away once he signed a new contract to return to the Blues in 2025. Therefore, why would anyone argue against Whitelock returning to the All Blacks straight away after his season is France is finished if he signs a new contract with NZRU which includes a Super Rugby contract in 2025? If Barrett can, Whitelock should be allowed too.
10 Go to commentsThe All Blacks will select 5 locks this season. Scott Robertson will most likely want to select 2 veteran locks who can start right away in 2024 and 3 young promising locks who he would like to be pushing hard for selection in the starting XV in two years time- 2026. Scott Barrett is a world class lock. Who would you rather start beside him this season against England, South Africa, Ireland, and France- Sam Whitelock or Patrick Tuipulotu? I would choose Whitelock over Tuipulotu all day, every day.
10 Go to comments