Ref Watch: Six Nations officiating report card
Almost half of the red cards shown in the Six Nations’ 21-year history have come in the 2021 competition.
This tells us plenty about rugby union’s drive to reduce head contacts in the light of the early onset dementia suffered by a number of early twenty-first century professionals including Steve Thompson, Dan Scarbrough and Alix Popham.
In turn, the law-makers’ actions also threaten to totally change the face of the sport if players are unable to adapt their tackle and ruck clear-out techniques.
This spate of red cards has thrust match officials further into the spotlight than is normally the case with three of 2021 champions Wales’ opponents spending significant spells with 14 men.
There is a very clearly defined protocol which the referee and TMO follow when assessing head contacts and few would dispute it was applied to the letter when dealing with Peter O’Mahony, Bundee Aki, Zander Fagerson, Paul Willemse and Finn Russell.
As a result the TMO’s role has sky-rocketed in significance since it is often the ‘man-in-the-van’ that spots dangerous clear-outs like those that sent Fagerson and O’Mahony for an early bath. In making appointments to big games it is now apparent that the TMO rather than the two touch judges has become World Rugby’s second priority – for instance the hugely experienced Wayne Barnes was Luke Pearce’s wing man for Wales’ crucial trip to Paris.
The total change in ethos which this crackdown has created also brings something of an identity crisis for the sport. To be red carded in years gone by a deliberate, knowing act of foul play usually had to be present. The officials are no longer required to find and consider this kind of intent – instead they ask whether the perpetrator’s actions are likely to result in contact with the head and should therefore be deemed ‘reckless.’
This means Russell’s mis-timed fend-off sent him to the sidelines. It is no exaggeration to say that anyone refereeing that incident even five years ago would have probably played on or at worst given a penalty for leading with an arm rather than a hand-off.
My timeline – and I’m sure those of others with an officiating background – is crammed with current amateur players and ex-players who simply cannot believe their eyes. In fairness most blame the law-makers rather than the officials, but nonetheless they feel the sport they love is in danger of losing much of its appeal. The loved ones of Messrs Thompson, Scarbrough and Popham would probably not agree.
Covid-19 meant not only stadiums without fans but also an entirely Northern Hemisphere officiating cast. Allied with recent retirements of experienced officials including Nigel Owens, Jerome Garces and George Clancy this threw a host of lesser-known names into the spotlight with mixed results.
England’s Pearce, who was part of the supporting cast at the 2019 World Cup, was the whistler whose star gained the most ascendancy. His near-flawless performance in the France v Wales encounter was delivered in the most pressurised of environments, while his ability to converse in French and to deliver fast-tempo matches without compromising control currently sets him apart from the rest.
Ireland’s Andrew Brace also did his future prospects no harm through a good performance during England’s win over France, while former sevens international Mike Adamson’s steady first Six Nations appearance was very welcome since Scotland’s top-table officiating cupboard has been pretty bare in recent times.
England’s Matthew Carley is also now firmly established and very at home on the international stage, while Joy Neville’s cool head really impressed when supporting Brace from the TMO chair. Her onfield performances in the Pro-14 and Europe will doubtless be carefully scrutinised in the run-up to France 2023.
At the other end of the spectrum, France’s Pascal Gauzere had a nightmare day when taking charge of Wales’ defeat of England. His complete loss of concentration handed a try to an enterprising Dan Biggar-Josh Adams combination, while the call – in which TMO Alex Ruiz was equally culpable – to disregard a clear knock-on in the build-up to Liam Williams’ score was simply baffling.
Many sports fans only see live rugby once per year and our sport’s complicated laws present quite a challenge. But figuring out what constitutes a knock-on or a forward pass should not be not one of these, and the confusion brought about by some absurdly obtuse recent innovations in how these rugby fundamentals are officiated needs ending. This kind of simple stuff must be correct 100 per cent of the time.
With France’s Romain Poite nearing the end of his career, Gauzere’s need to rebuild his reputation following his nightmare day makes the identity of the referees for the three summer tests between South Africa and the Lions a tricky question. If World Rugby seek the usual mixed group of Southern and Northern Hemisphere representatives, a French official is required to join whistlers from New Zealand or Australia. Based on the evidence of the last two months Mathieu Raynal is on a short-list of one.
Doubtless the TMO will continue to play a key role in the summer series, but following Barnes’ nine involvements in the 125-minute duration France v Wales match is it time to review how the ‘man-in the-van’ is used?
REF WATCH: 'Like players referees have good and less-good days, and when Barnes reviews his performance I suspect he will give himself six or seven out of ten.'
Paul Smith ???on the reffing of the thrilling #SixNations conclusion https://t.co/im2pEu21KK
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) March 28, 2021
Getting everything forensically correct is simply not possible in a sport like rugby which at times has bodies everywhere in addition to plenty of grey areas in its laws. Should it therefore sacrifice some of this quest for perfection for a speedier game where the referee’s authority as the sole judge of fact is more fully restored?
Until the TMO’s scope grew, assisting the ref with grounding calls, confirming if dubious kicks have split the posts and advising on foul play were the domain of the touch judge. It is now hard to see what the flag wavers contribute beyond bringing the jelly babies the officiating team share at half-time. Some rebalancing of responsibilities is required.
Finally, much has been made of Owen Farrell’s abrupt manner when dealing with Gauzere and how this contrasted with Alun Wyn Jones’ more considered approach. Scotland skipper Stuart Hogg is another who appears to have a great rapport with the officials, and a really good manner when speaking to them.
This led former international captain Lawrence Dallaglio to call for a change at England’s onfield helm. The 2003 World Cup winner also stated how much easier it is for a forward to captain based on proximity to the referee and the resulting ability to hold informal dialogue.
Accepting this seems to me to also condone a running conversation between the captain and the ref, which in all honesty is far from helpful for either of them. A couple of clarifications per game plus a brief conversation at half-time should be ample for any skipper, while less requirement to manage ongoing interaction leaves the official with more time to concentrate on making a high percentage of correct calls.
Comments on RugbyPass
This looks like a damage limitation exercise for Wales, keeping back some of their more effective players for the last 20/25 minutes to try and counter England’s fresh legs so the Red Roses don’t rack up a big score.
1 Go to commentsVery unlikely the Bulls will beat Leinster in Dublin. It would be different in Pretoria.
1 Go to commentsI think it is a dangerous path to go down to ban a player for the same period that a player they injured takes to recover. Players would be afraid to tackle anyone. I once tackled my best friend at school in a practice match and sprained his ankle. I paid for it by having to play fly-half instead of full-back for the rest of that season’s fixtures.
5 Go to commentsJust such a genuine good bloke…and probably the best all round player in his generation. Good guys do come first sometimes and he handled the W.Cup loss with great attitude.
2 Go to commentsWord in France is that he’s on the radar of a few Top14 clubs.
2 Go to commentsGet blocking Travis, this guy has styles and he’s gonna make a swift impact…!
1 Go to commentsWhat remorse? She claimed that her dangerous tackle wasn’t worthy of a red! She should be compensating the injured player for loss of earnings at the minimum. Her ban should include the recovery time of the injured player as well as the paltry 3 match ban.
5 Go to commentsArdie is a legend. Finished and klaar. Two things: “Yeah, yeah, I have had a few conversations with Razor just around feedback on my game and what I am doing well, what I need to improve on or work-ons. It’s kind of been minimal, mate, but it’s all that I need over here in terms of how to be better, how to get better and what I am doing well.” I hope he’s downplaying it - and that it’s not that “minimal”. The amount of communication and behind the scenes preparation the Bok coaches put into players - Rassie and co would be all over Ardie and being clear on what is expected of him. This stands out for me as something teams should really be looking at in terms of the boks success from a coaching point of view. And was surprised by the comment - “minimal”. In terms of the “debate” around Ireland and South Africa. Nice one Ardie. Indeed. There’s no debate.
2 Go to commentsThere’s a bit of depth there but realistically Australian players have a long way to go to now catch up. The game is moving on fast and Australia are falling behind. Australian sides still don’t priories the breakdown like they should, it’s a non-negotiable if you want to compete on the international stage. That goes for forwards and backs. The Australian team could have a back row that could make a difference but the problem is they don’t have a tight five that can do the business. Tupou is limited in defence, overweight and unfit and the locks are a long way from international standard. Frost is soft and Salakai-Loto is too small so that means they need a Valentini at 8 who has to do the hard graft so limits the effectiveness of the backrow. Schmidt really needs to get a hard working, tough tight 5 if he wants to get this team firing.
3 Go to commentsSorry 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.
2 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.
3 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
3 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 comments