Ref Watch: Wales v Fiji - TMO saves referee Nic Berry's blushes
Prior to this weekend only English rugby anoraks would have known the name Stuart Terheege, but he deserves plenty of plaudits for his role in Wales’ scrappy win over Fiji.
The long-time Premiership touch judge spent his Sunday afternoon in a TV van outside the Principality Stadium in Cardiff from where he provided TMO assistance to Australian whistler Nic Berry.
And World Rugby must be extremely thankful that the experienced Brummie was on hand to stop a couple of real howlers, both of which could have materially changed the outcome of the match.
In case anyone has forgotten, former top-level scrum half Berry was the target of Rassie Erasmus’ ire following the opening Lions test against South Africa.
Three months and more have passed since that fateful day, but we are still yet to discover the outcome of the hearing into Rassie’s infamous 62-minute video critique of Berry’s display which was leaked via Twitter.
Re-reading my Ref Watch column, which was written prior to the appearance of the video, my eye is drawn to “Berry is not an official who exudes confidence and authority and he appeared happy to simply go with the flow for much of the match.”
It seems not much has changed in the intervening period, since Berry still seems short of gravitas and onfield presence. Compare his manner and management style with Nigel Owens, Wayne Barnes, Ben O’Keefe, Luke Pearce or Matthew Carley and you see chalk and cheese.
While every referee must be true to their own personality and style they also must exude confidence and presence rather than giving off the overly laid-back air which typified Berry’s approach to this match.
Eroni Sau Red Card
Of course, being accurate also helps and had Terheege not intervened, Eroni Sau’s 24th minute red card which tipped this match in Wales’ favour, would not have been awarded.
The Fijian left winger had completed a tackle on Johnny Williams but then went back in for a second time with a swinging arm to the Welsh centre’s head.
What was the point of doing this? Idiotic from Eroni Sau. Fiji were going great.#WalvFij pic.twitter.com/S8y958VbWI
— James Stafford (@jpstafford) November 14, 2021
Terheege drew Berry’s attention to the offence, and one replay was enough for watching TV pundit Ben Kay to comment: “I can’t see any other option (than a red card).”
However, in a rabbit-in-headlights moment, Berry appeared to lose clarity on the sequence of events and become overly focused on Williams’ position on the ground providing enough mitigation for him to only award a yellow card.
At this point Terheege intervened with a major dose of clarity.
“Consider one thing – the initial tackle was already made by Fiji no.11. This is a secondary action,” he said.
A brief pause followed while Berry digested this input before he regained his composure and found the correct answer.
“It’s a secondary effort which he didn’t need. He’s made direct contact with the head with force. I guess we’re on red for that.”
Cue a huge sigh of relief from World Rugby’s Dublin HQ…
In touch or in play?
There were two tight calls to make regarding players jumping to keep the ball in play and the officials eventually got both correct.
The first of these saw Fiji’s scrum-half Frank Lomani start off the field before jumping to catch a Welsh kick which had crossed the plane of touch then landing back on the pitch. Sam Warburton hesitated in the summariser’s chair, before admitting he needed to check the law. On field play correctly continued.
Around 15 minutes later Louis Rees-Zammit was at the centre of a more controversial moment as he started off the field, jumped and tapped the ball down to Taine Basham before landing still in touch. Play continued and the Gloucester flier eventually got on the end of a flowing move to claim a try until Terheege again intervened.
As an ex-touch judge, no-one in the ground would have better knowledge of this law than Sunday’s TMO. Having gone through the RFU training some years ago, I remember everything related to touch being drilled into those present. Interestingly, the use of referees on the touch line in internationals therefore lessens the available pool of knowledge and experience among the onfield team in this area.
Law 18 relating to touch has been amended in recent times in an attempt to simplify matters. Whether this has been achieved is debatable, but the changes have certainly widened the playing area – with the corner post, for example, now being in play rather than in touch.
In this scenario, the officials have to consider whether the ball has crossed the plane of touch and where the player who touches or catches it takes off and lands.
In this instance, had Rees-Zammit landed in play, as Lomani did, play would have continued and his try would have stood.
Equally, had the ball not crossed the plane of touch, regardless of where the winger landed play would have continued because he tapped rather than caught the ball.
Replays were not 100 per cent conclusive, but on balance of probability Rees-Zammit was so far in touch that the ball was in all likelihood also on the ‘wrong’ side of the whitewash from a Welsh perspective and following the TMO intervention the correct call was made.
Rees-Zammit’s match-clincher
The TMO was also called into action to determine whether Wales’ left-winger had scored the 73rd minute try which effectively sealed the win.
Berry again did his reputation no favours by asking Terheege to check whether the scorer was onside. He quickly received a response confirming a player cannot be offside chasing his own kick!
LOUIS REES-ZAMMIT IS TOO QUICK ?
Outrageous pace from the @WelshRugbyUnion winger to dot down from his own kick.
Viewers in the UK can watch the #AutumnNationsSeries live on @primevideosport#WALvFIJ pic.twitter.com/1p3cn62WAi
— Autumn Nations Series (@autumnnations) November 14, 2021
Grounding was a tougher question to resolve – and to his credit the Aussie referee was very clear on this and correct in his understanding of law and the supporting definitions.
Contrary to what many on social media believe, it is not necessary for a player grounding a loose ball to have control of it. He must, however, have downward pressure with his torso, hands or arms.
In addition, a recent clarification has been introduced to deal with exactly this situation – the grounding of a loose ball which is also bouncing above the turf. It was in this context that Terheege and Berry both referenced there being no visible ‘separation.’
Put another way, the grounding player’s hand must be in continuous contact with the ball from the instant he first touches it to the moment downward pressure is first applied and if any gap appears a knock-on is called.
Since there was no such separation and downward pressure followed the try was correctly awarded.
Breakdown Offsides
Twice in the match Berry allowed players who were seemingly way offside to come round and steal the ball at the base of the breakdown.
When questioned, on both occasions he said the ball was out of the breakdown and therefore the offside line was no longer present.
Having looked at these calls in slo-mo I believe he got both correct since the players came from onside positions at a point when players were no longer bound over the ball.
As a ref it is easy to get fixated on the scrum-half here, and focus entirely on the point when he lifts the ball from the ground. However, this only applies when he is entering a breakdown to dig possession out – in this instance the breakdown is over and providing everyone is onside and the scrum-half is not played without the ball play should continue.
Comments on RugbyPass
1. The Chiefs are rudderless without DMac, which enhances his AB chances 2. Chiefs pack are powderpuffs. The hard men arent there anymore 3. They had their golden title chance last yr and wont threaten this yr. Gone in second round of playoffs.
1 Go to commentsHonestly, why did you have to publish such a foolish article the day they play us? 😂
30 Go to comments> They are not standalone entities. They are linked to an amateur association which holds the FFR licence that allows the professional side to compete in the league. That’s a great rule. This looks like the chicken or egg professional scenario. How long is it going to be before the club can break even (if that is even a thing in French rugby)? If the locals aren’t into well it would be good to se them drop to amateur level (is it that far?). Hope they can reset from this level and be more practical, there will be a time when they can rebuild (if France has there setup right).
1 Go to commentsWhat about changing the ball? To something heavier and more pointed that bounces unpredictably. Not this almost round football used these days.
35 Go to commentsThis is the problem with conservative mindsets and phycology, and homogenous sports, everybody wants to be the same, use the i-win template. Athlete wise everyone has to have muscles and work at the gym to make themselves more likely to hold on that one tackle. Do those players even wonder if they are now more likely to be tackled by that player as a result of there “work”? Really though, too many questions, Jake. Is it better Jake? Yes, because you still have that rugby of ole that you talk about. Is it at the highest International level anymore? No, but you go to your club or checkout your representative side and still engage with that ‘beautiful game’. Could you also have a bit of that at the top if coaches encouraged there team to play and incentivized players like Damian McKenzie and Ange Capuozzo? Of course we could. Sadly Rugby doesn’t, or didn’t, really know what direction to go when professionalism came. Things like the state of northern pitches didn’t help. Over the last two or three decades I feel like I’ve been fortunate to have all that Jake wants. There was International quality Super Rugby to adore, then the next level below I could watch club mates, pulling 9 to 5s, take on the countries best in representative rugby. Rugby played with flair and not too much riding on the consequences. It was beautiful. That largely still exists today, but with the world of rugby not quite getting things right, the picture is now being painted in NZ that that level of rugby is not required in the “pathway” to Super Rugby or All Black rugby. You might wonder if NZR is right and the pathway shouldn’t include the ‘amateur’, but let me tell you, even though the NPC might be made up of people still having to pull 9-5s, we know these people still have dreams to get out of that, and aren’t likely to give them. They will be lost. That will put a real strain on the concept of whether “visceral thrill, derring-do and joyful abandon” type rugby will remain under the professional level here in NZ. I think at some point that can be eroded as well. If only wanting the best athlete’s at the top level wasn’t enough to lose that, shutting off the next group, or level, or rugby players from easy access to express and showcase themselves certainly will. That all comes back around to the same question of professionalism in rugby and whether it got things right, and rugby is better now. Maybe the answer is turning into a “no”?
35 Go to commentsWow, didn’t realise there was such apathy to URC in SA, or by Champions Cup teams. Just read Nick’s article on Crusaders, are Sharks a similar circumstance? I think SA rugby has been far more balanced than NZs, no?
2 Go to commentsBut here in Australia we were told Penney was another gun kiwi coach, for the Tahs…….and yet again it turned out the kiwi coach was completely useless. Another con job on Australian rugby. As was Robbie Deans, as was Dave Rennie. Both coaches dumped from NZ and promoted to Australia as our saviour. And the Tahs lap them up knowing they are second rate and knowing that under pressure when their short comings are exposed in Australia as well, that they will fall in below the largest most powerful province and choose second rate Tah players to save their jobs. As they do and exactly as Joe Schmidt will do. Gauranteed. Schmidt was dumped by NZ too. That’s why he went overseas. That why kiwi coaches take jobs in Australia, to try and prove they are not as bad as NZ thought they were. Then when they get found out they try and ingratiate themselves to NZ again by dragging Australian teams down with ridiculous selections and game plans. NZ rugby’s biggest problem is that it can’t yet transition from MCaw Cheatism. They just don’t know how to try and win on your merits. It is still always a contest to see how much cheating you can get away with. Without a cheating genius like McCaw, they are struggling. This I think is why my wise old mate in NZ thinks Robertson will struggle. The Crusaders are the nursery of McCaw Cheatism. Sean Fitzpatrick was probably the father of it. Robertson doesn’t know anything else but other countries have worked it out.
30 Go to commentsIt could be coincidental or prescient that the All Blacks most dominant period under Steve Hansen was when the Crusaders had their least successful period under Todd Blackadder and then the positions reversed when Razor took over the Crusaders.
30 Go to commentsDefinitely sound read everybodyexpects immediate results these days, I don't think any team would travel well at all having lost three of the most important game changers in the game,compiled with the massive injury list they are now carrying, good to see a different more in depth perspective of a coaches history.
3 Go to commentsSinckler is a really big loss for English rugby.
2 Go to commentsThanks 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
30 Go to commentsNo way. If you are trying to picture New Zealand rugby with an All Blacks mindset, there have been two factors instrumental to the decline of NZ rugby to date. Those are the horror that the Blues have become and, probably more so, the fixture that the Crusaders became. I don’t think it was healthy to have one team so dominant for so long, both for lack of proper representation of players from outside that environment and on the over reliance on players from within it. If you are another international side, like Ireland for example, sure. You can copy paste something succinct from one level to the next and experience a huge increase in standards, but ultimately you will not be maximizing it, which is what you need to perform to the level the ABs do. Added to that is the apathy that develops in the whole game as a result of one sides dominance. NZ, Super, and Championship rugby should all experience a boom as a result of things balancing out. That said, there is a lot of bad news happening in NZ rugby recently, and I’m not sure the game can be handled well enough here to postpone the always-there feeling of inevitable decline of rugby.
30 Go to commentsNo SA supporter miss Super Rugby - a product that is experiencing significant head wind in ANZ - the competition from rival codes are intense, match attendance figures are at a historical low and the negativity of commentators such as Kirwan and Wilson have accelerated the downward spiral in NZ. After the next RWC in 2027 sponsors will follow Qantas and start leaving in droves.
2 Go to commentsLike others, I am not seeing the connection between this edition of the Crusaders and the All Blacks future prospects under Razor. I think the analysis of the Crusaders attack recently is helpful because Razor and his coaching team used to be able to slot new guys in to their systems and see them succeed. Several of Razor’s coaches are still there so it would be surprising if the current attack and set piece has been overhauled to a great extent - but based on that analysis, it may have been. Whether it is too many new guys due to injuries or retirement or a failure of current Crusaders systems is the main question to be answered imo. It doesn’t seem relevant for the ABs.
30 Go to commentsharry potter is set in stone. he creates stability and finishes well. exactly what schmidt likes. he’s the ben smith of australian rugby. i think it could quite easily be potter toole and kellaway for the foreseeable future.
5 Go to commentsThis is short sighted from Clayton if you ask me, smacks of too much preseason planning and no adaptability. What if DMac is out for a must win match, are they still only going to bring their best first five and playmaker on late in the game? Trusting the game to someone who wasn’t even part of planning (they would have had Trask pinned in as Jacomb preseason). Perhaps if the Crusaders were better they would not have done this, but either way imo you take this opportunity to play a guy you might need starting in a final rather than having their 12th game getting comfortable coming off the bench.
1 Go to commentsThanks 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 commentsWhat a load of bollocks. The author has forgotten to mention the fact that the Crusaders have a huge injury toll with top world class players out. Not to mention the fact that they are obviously in a transition period. No this will not spark a slow death for NZ rugby, but it does mean there will be a new Super Rugby champion. Anyone who knows anything about NZ rugby knows that there is some serious talent here, it just isn’t all at the Crusaders.
30 Go to commentsI wouldn’t spend the time on Nawaqanitawase! No point in having him filling in a jersey when he’s committed to leave Union. Give the jersey to a young prospect who will be here in the future.
5 Go to commentsIt was a pleasure to watch those guys playing with such confidence. That trio can all be infuriating for different reasons and I can see why Jones might have decided against them. No way to justify leaving Ikitau out though. Jorgensen and him were both scheduled to return at the same time. Only one of them plays for Randwick and has a dad who is great mates with the national coach though.
55 Go to comments