Ref Watch: Scottish reds, Welsh elbows, English cheap shots, Irish cynicism and why Jonny May's leap was legal
Ref watch: For a second consecutive weekend a sending off dominated Six Nations headlines as Scotland’s Zander Fagerson followed Ireland’s Peter O’Mahony in seeing red.
These incidents – plus a number of others over the opening two rounds of action – have also shone a spotlight on rugby’s recent crackdown on contact with the head.
From “the game’s gone soft – it’s a contact sport what do you expect?” at one extreme, to those who believe every possible step must be taken to avoid head injury at the other it’s fair to say this situation polarises opinion.
And against the horrific backdrop provided by the early-onset dementia being suffered by Mike Lipman, Steve Thompson and the 40-something former professionals, the debate is both heated and emotional.
English officials Wayne Barnes and Matthew Carley have been the two men required to brandish red cards – and while neither will have relished the experience both followed protocols to the letter.
This requires the officials to first establish whether contact is directly to the head, then assess how forceful it is and whether there mitigating circumstances exist perhaps due to a late change in body position or a player stumbling into contact.
It is this last consideration which is crucial in the Fagerson case – and had Carley and TMO Karl Dickson used the available evidence to reduce red to yellow I suspect there would have been few complaints.
The most significant change brought about by the current crackdown is that officials are no longer required to factor intent into their thinking. This means that O’Mahony’s deliberate elbow to the face and Fagerson’s reckless-but-unintentional shoulder-to-head contact are now treated as equal crimes. This is very different to the approach taken through the vast majority of rugby union’s history.
Assuming the two contacts were of equal force, the outcome for the recipients is likely to be similar – but is outcome a good yardstick on which to base such critical decisions on the biggest of rugby stages? It is hard not to agree with the view that this laudable attempt to improve safety is also fundamentally altering some of rugby’s basics.
Quarter 1 | Quarter 2 | Quarter 3 | Quarter 4 | |
Pens against Scotland | 3 | 3 | 5 | 0 |
Pens against Wales | 3 | 2 | 5 | 3 |
Unlike law changes introduced to stop dangerous contact with players in the air – which most notably saw England’s Elliot Daly red-carded a few minutes into an Autumn International against Argentina – these new interpretations are yet to have the desired effect. In time this may change, but if it doesn’t, given the sensitive nature of what they are trying to achieve, it will be a brave man who calls for a rethink.
In similar vein, Saturday’s games also saw a Liam Williams elbow lead into James Lang’s face and Owen Farrell’s late tackle on Italy’s Stephen Varney go unpunished. Both involved contact with an opponent’s head.
The Williams incident which happened at high speed was not picked up by the on-field officials. It was highlighted by the BBC coverage post-match as a possible yellow card offence, and under current interpretations it is hard to disagree with this assessment based on the evidence. But again…was there intent or was it a slightly mistimed fend off?
Farrell’s late challenge, which began at chest height and ended with head contact, was at best “a rugby collision” and at worst a cheap shot. This one was picked up by the officials who found in the England skipper’s favour – although it seems to me intent was present and his actions were more culpable than those of Williams.
Quarter 1 | Quarter 2 | Quarter 3 | Quarter 4 | |
Pens against England | 3 | 2 | 3 | 4 |
Pens against Italy | 3 | 3 | 2 | 3 |
Away from head-related incidents, social media has questioned the legality of England winger Jonny May’s spectacular finish – which Nigel Owens’ Mail on Sunday column also adjudged illegal.
For those who are yet to view the incident, in an incredible piece of athleticism, May launched himself over a last-gasp Italian tackle to ground the ball while in mid-air contact with the corner flag (which is now in play rather than in touch).
In years gone by, jumping into a tackle was expressly forbidden by the law book. Various rewrites have seen this disappear, with officials now required to assess all actions against law 9.11 “Players must not do anything that is reckless or dangerous to others.”
Decision making in rugby is often not black and white, and I am going to have to disagree with the great Mr Owens on this one. Had May’s leap taken him towards a defender it would be in the dangerous category, but since he launched himself into space slightly to the defender’s right in my judgement it was both brilliantly executed and legal. Applying consistent logic, in this situation a defender therefore has to be permitted to tackle the ball carrier in mid-air – provided he is brought safely to ground.
My time working at Wasps included the 2018 Premiership semi-final when Jack Willis ruptured an ACL, so I was doubly sorry to see him suffer another serious-looking knee injury on Saturday and relieved when it subsequently emerged he has not suffered a repeat.
Somewhat hopeful news coming out of Wasps' camp this evening – report The Coventry Telegraphhttps://t.co/2IsHZWVJW6
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) February 14, 2021
Post-match TV analysis concentrated on Sebastian Negri’s ‘crocodile roll’ and the potential for legislation being introduced to combat this clear-out manoeuvre. In fact, stricter use of existing law would suffice – since laws 15.3 and 16.7 explicitly require players involved in a maul/ruck to “have their heads and shoulders no lower than their hips.”
Quarter 1 | Quarter 2 | Quarter 3 | Quarter 4 | |
Pens against Ireland | 1 | 2 | 1 | 1 |
Pens against France | 4 | 2 | 1 | 2 |
The best refereeing performance of the weekend unquestionably was in Dublin where English official Luke Pearce oversaw France’s narrow win against Ireland.
Pearce’s management was outstanding throughout and there is no question that his ability to converse in basic French really helped.
Communication benefits are only one aspect of this. Equally significant is that his efforts maintain a level playing field for both sides immediately removes an psychological barrier between the official and the non-English speaking side.
Pearce’s undemonstrative approach was perfectly suited to this match. A good example came at the end of the opening quarter when he quietly warned Ireland’s Jamison Gibson-Park about “trying to milk a penalty” by pretending to trip over French bodies on the wrong side.
Another referee on another day would have fallen for these theatrics – and handed Ireland three dubious points. Equally, under a different whistler the game could have stopped while a long lecture was delivered on the spirit of the game. Instead Pearce’s quiet word stopped Gibson-Park’s gamesmanship in its tracks while simultaneously sending a clear message to all the other players.
My only (minor) criticism of the English official’s performance came as early as the second minute when he adjudged Gabin Villiere’s knock down of a pass destined for an in-space Keith Earls worthy of only a scrum.
A misconception has developed in recent times – perhaps due to some less-than-accurate TV punditry – that a deliberate knock on should usually (or even always) result in the award of a yellow card. In reality, each incident has to be judged on its merits, so in the same way killing the ball or being deliberately offside may earn the offender a card on some occasions, on others a penalty suffices and to my eyes this was one of those.
Comments on RugbyPass
Jake White is a brilliant coach and a master in the press. This is another masterclass in media relations and PR but its also a very narrow view with arguments that dont always hold water. White wants his team to win, he wants the best players in SA and wants his team competitive. You however have to face up to the reality of a poor exchange rate and big clubs with big budgets. SA Rugby cant compete and unless it can find more money SA players will keep leaving regardless of Springbok eligibility and this happened in 2015 - 2017. Also rugby is not cricket. Cricket has 3 formats and T20 cricket is where the money is at. When it comes to club vs country the IPL is king but that wont happen because the international calendar does not clash with the club calendar in rugby. So the argument about rugby going down the same path as cricket is really a non-starter
13 Go to commentsNZ rugby seem not to have learnt anything from professional rugby. Super rugby was dying and SA left before they died with the competition. SA rugby did a u turn on their approach to international players playing overseas and such players are now selected for Bok teams. As much as each country would love to retain their players playing in local competitions, this is the way the world is evolving my friends. Move with it or stay 20 years behind the times. One more thing. NZ rugby hierarchy think they are the big cheese. Take a more humble approach guys. You do not seem to have your players best interests at heart.
3 Go to commentsBeaches? In Cardiff? Where?
1 Go to commentsHe is right , the Crusaders will be a threat. Scott Barrett, ( particularly), Fergus Burke , Codie Taylor, ( from sabbatical) etc due back soon for the Crusaders. There are others like Zach Gallagher too. People can right the Crusaders off, Top 8 , here we come !!
1 Go to commentsWe will always struggle for money to match the other sides but the least the WRU can do is invest properly in Welsh rugby. Too much has been squandered on vanity projects like the hotel and roof walk amongst others which will never see a massive return. Hanging the 4 pro sides out to dry over the last decade is now coming back to bite the WRU financially as well as on the pitch. You reap what you sow.
1 Go to commentsWhat do you get if you cross a doctor with a fish? A plastic sturgeon
14 Go to commentsWhat happened to feleti Kaitu’u? Hasnt played in a while right?
1 Go to commentsGregor I just can’t agree with you. You are trying to find something that just isn’t there. Jordie Barrett has signed until 2028. By the end of that he would have spent probably 11-12 years on Super Rugby and you say he can’t possibly have one season playing somewhere else. It is absurd. What about this scenario, the NZR play hard ball and he decides to leave and play overseas. How would that affect the competition. There seems to be an agenda by certain journalists to push certain agendas and don’t like it when it’s not to their liking. I fully support the NZR on this. Gregor needs to get a life.
3 Go to commentsHope he stays as believe he can do a great job.
1 Go to commentsMake what step up? Manie has a World Cup winner’s medal around his neck and changed the way the Springboks can play. He doesn’t have anything to prove to anyone. The win record of the Boks with him in the team is tremendous. Sacha can be wonderful and I hope he has a very succesful Bok career, but comparing him to Manie in terms of the next Bok flyhalf is very strange. Manie is the incumbent (not the next) and doing pretty incredibly.
1 Go to comments00 😍 U
1 Go to commentsSabbaticals have helped keep NZ’s very best talent in the country on long term deals - this fact has been left out of this article. Much like the articles calling to allow overseas players to be selected, yet can only name one player currently not signed to NZR who would be selected for the ABs. And in the entire history of NZ players leaving to play overseas, literally only 4 or 5 have left in their prime as current ABs. (Piatau, Evans, Hayman, Mo’unga,?) Yes Carter got an injury while playing in France 16 years ago, but he also got a tournament ending injury at the 2011 World Cup while taking mid-week practice kicks at goal. Maybe Jordie gets a season-ending injury while playing in Ireland, maybe he gets one next week against the Brumbies. NZR have many shortcomings, but keeping the very best players in the country and/or available for ABs selection is not one of them. Likewise for workload management - players missing 2 games out of 14 is hardly a big deal in the grand scheme of things. Again let’s use some facts - did it stop the Crusaders winning SR so many times consecutively when during any given week they would be missing 2 of their best players? The whole idea of the sabbatical is to reward your best players who are willing to sign very long term deals with some time to do whatever they want. They are not handed out willy-nilly, and at nowhere near the levels that would somehow devalue Super Rugby. In this particular example JB is locked in with NZR for what will probably (hopefully) be the best years of his career, hard to imagine him not sticking around for a couple more after for a Lions tour and one more world cup. He has the potential to become the most capped AB of all time. A much better outcome than him leaving NZ for a minimum of 3 years at the age of 27, unlikely to ever play for the ABs again, which would be the likely alternative.
3 Go to commentsJake White talks more sense than anything I've read in the last 5 years. Hope someone's listening.
13 Go to commentsThe Springboks tried going down the road of only picking home-based players and it was an unmitigated disaster in 2016 and 2017. Picking overseas-based players has been one of the main reason the Boks have done so well since 2018, not only because of the quality Rassie could call on, but because of the knowledge and experience those players brought into camp from England, France and Japan. With some of the big names playing abroad it also gave younger players in SA the chance to break through at franchise level. Would we have seen the emergence of a Ruan Nortje if RG and Lood were still at the Bulls? Not so sure. I understand why Jake would want to block players leaving since his job depends on good results but it’s an approach that would take Bok rugby back to the bad old days and no South African wants to see that.
13 Go to commentsExeter were thumped by 38 points. And they only had to hop on a train.
39 Go to commentsI am De Groot.
1 Go to commentsHad hoped you might write an article on this game, Nick. It’s a good one. Things have not gone as smoothly for ROG since beating Leinster last year at the Aviva in the CC final. LAR had the Top 14 Final won till Raymond Rhule missed a simple tackle on the excellent Ntamack, and Toulouse reaped the rewards of just staying in the fight till the death. Then the disruption of the RWC this season. LAR have not handled that well, but they were not alone, and we saw Pau heading the Top 14 table at one stage early season. I would think one of the reasons for the poor showing would have to be that the younger players coming through, and the more mature amongst the group outside the top 25/30, are not as strong as would be hoped for. I note that Romain Sazy retired at the end of last season. He had been with LAR since 2010, and was thus one of their foundation players when they were promoted to Top 14. Records show he ended up with 336 games played with LAR. That is some experience, some rock in the team. He has been replaced for the most part by Ultan Dillane. At 30, Dillane is not young, but given the chances, he may be a fair enough replacement for Sazy. But that won’be for more than a few years. I honestly know little of the pathways into the LAR setup from within France. I did read somewhere a couple of years ago that on the way up to Top 14, the club very successfully picked up players from the academies of other French teams who were not offered places by those teams. These guys were often great signings…can’t find the article right now, so can’t name any….but the Tadgh Beirne type players. So all in all, it will be interesting to see where the replacements for all the older players come from. Only Lleyd’s and Rhule from SA currently, both backs. So maybe a few SA forwards ?? By contrast, Leinster have a pretty clear line of good players coming through in the majority of positions. Props maybe a weak spot ? And they are very fleet footed and shrewd in appointing very good coaches. Or maybe it is also true that very good coaches do very well in the Leinster setup. So, Nick, I would fully concurr that “On the evidence of Saturday’s semi-final between the two clubs, the rebuild in the Bay of Biscay is going to take longer than it is on the east coast of Ireland”
11 Go to commentsWhat was the excuse for the other knockout blowouts then? Does the result not prove the Saints were just so much better? Wise call to put your eggs in one basket when you’ve got 2 comps simultaneously finishing.
39 Go to commentsReally hope Kuruvoli and his partner rock the Canes.
1 Go to commentsI wonder what impact Samson has had on their attack, as the team seems less prone to trundle it up the middle, take the tackle and then trundle it up again. I lost faith in the coach last year as the Rebelss looked like a 2nd/3rd rate South African team. I also disliked Gordon standing back, often ignored as the forward battle went on and on. Maybe its our Aussie way of not getting off our A***’s until the enemy is at the gate.
86 Go to comments