It has been widely acknowledged that the standard of refereeing in the Rugby Championship this past weekend was less than stellar. All lovers of the game, from fans through to coaches and players, are justifiably exasperated by such result-affecting calls by refs.
Sadly, this is not the first time and, probably, won’t be the last time the rugby world is incensed by sub-standard refereeing performances – unless something proactive is done to address what is a very real problem.
What is missing in all the blustery huffing and puffing though, are solutions or suggestions that the IRB (or World Rugby) can use to address the problem.
So here are my suggestions. My solutions. As just a passionate lover of the sport. See if you agree or disagree. Pick them apart. Point out their weaknesses. Tell me why they won’t work. No hard feelings. All I ask is that for every criticism, you offer an alternative solution.
Hopefully with all the traffic Rugby Talk.com is attracting these days, someone of influence will read all our comments and maybe… just maybe… do something positive with them.
I believe a three-part solution will sort out most of the issues but, like anything, there has to be the political will to address and sort out the problem instead of worrying about offending egos or apportioning blame.
Part 1 – Yellow Cards:
Why, when rugby borrowed the card system from football, did they tinker with a system that has served soccer so well for so long? Why did they not simply use the soccer system as used by soccer?
Surely, the point of cards should be to sanction players without unnecessarily impacting on the fairness of the sporting spectacle the rugby loving public, and sponsors, have paid good money to see?
So my first proposal is that yellow cards are not accompanied by a 10-minute sin-binning. The player is ‘booked’, and should he receive another yellow, it will automatically become a red and the player will then be sent from the field, permanently.
This would allow the censure of players without having an overly negative impact on the outcome of the game. A player with a yellow card would have to pull his punches, as it were, to ensure he would not get another and have to leave the field permanently. This would ensure that players who had made a genuine mistake will remain on the field and play out the game. It would also allow a fair warning to an infringing player that he was on a final warning for his on-field attitude and in danger of dropping his team and forcing them to see out the game minus his services, if he continued to infringe.
It would also allow the coach to substitute a first choice player, to remove the threat of the red card, which would be an effective punishment for the player without ruining the contest for the team, and bring on a second choice replacement.
Should a yellow-carded player be carded a second time then the player and coach will only have themselves to blame.
Of course a straight red card for thuggery – punching, head-butting, biting or eye-gouging etc – would and should still be used by the referee.
I believe this ‘soccer style’ of carding would negate much of the ruining of matches by dubious and even justified yellow cards.
Part 2 – Rating the Refs:
Refereeing must be a very stressful job for which I would never volunteer or do professionally. All referees have my respect and admiration for having the balls to get out in front of a crowd and television audience and open themselves up what can be extremely vitriolic abuse. It’s a very tough job – but also very rewarding.
Where refereeing goes wrong, in my opinion, is that they have laagered themselves off from transparency and any criticism. I understand why, and have heard Andre Watson say on many occasions that they can’t hang the refs out to dry, as it would not be fair. The point Andre always ignores is that refs hang players out to dry all the time, rightly or wrongly, and those decisions impact on the match results which can, in turn, affect the outcomes of competitions and financial reward or penalty (in the case of relegation) for rugby unions and franchises. They can also affect a player’s career. So is it right that referees should be shielded and remain untouchable?
Yes, there have been cases of referees being ‘disciplined’ by losing future appointments or even apologizing (or being apologized for) but these have (often) been random reactions as opposed to ordered and transparent processes.
I’m not talking about having public hangings of referees from the goal posts but some sort of transparent accountability is warranted for the credibility and good of the game.
What I propose is that performance statistics are kept for referees in the same way as they are kept for players. These can be officially by the IRB, or unofficially by such entities as ABSA’s excellent Rugby Stats App.
Stats could be collected for how many knocks on, off sides, maul-ruck infringements etc the ref blows. Figures for how many times he penalises the attacking / defending team at a ruck, at a scrum etc could also be collected. Of course the number of yellow and red cards and for what reason a ref uses them should be tallied too.
In addition to those ‘normal’ stats, much like a player’s missed tackles and penalties conceded are counted, so should a referee’s mistakes be counted. Not only mistakes of commission but also of omission. How many times did a ref miss a side entry to a maul? How many times did he miss players off-sides? How many times did he penalise a player who did not warrant it? How many times did he let a forward pass go? Or how many times did he call a forward pass that wasn’t? You get the idea.
Over time, these stats would paint a very transparent picture (oxymoron intended) of referees, available to all teams, players and public alike. It would offer players and public aspects of a ref’s performance to look out for and give those refs feedback on what they could work on to improve their own performances.
Crucially though, this system would not hang refs out to dry in a knee-jerk reaction to a single incident but rather build a competency profile over time.
Of course, when a referee demonstrates a complete lack of understanding of the basic rules of rugby (such as calling a charge-down a knock-on) he should be cited, face a hearing and, if found ‘guilty’ be censured, transparently, just like players are.
I believe referees would benefit tremendously by such a system and so would rugby.
It would also give tangible, quantifiable information to fans and administrations alike as to who the best referees are and be used to appoint referees for prestigious matches and competitions.
Part 3 – Technology:
The problem with common sense is that it is just not the common, so Voltaire (and many others) are supposed to have said. And it seems common sense is particularly lacking in the IRB.
We have the technology. Use it. Simple. Use even more as soon as it becomes available. Use what is developed by other sports, if it is appropriate.
It would not impact upon the match, anywhere near as badly as some of the horrendous calls made, to pause the game for a few minutes to make sure the correct and just call has been made. Rather take a few minutes out of a game, than take a team out of a match, competition or even a world cup.
It would not detract from the game as much as bad calls do.
The TMO should be empowered to communicate with the ref, in mid-play if necessary, to point out any incident, mistake or foul play, which can then be examined at the next breakdown of play. The referee assistants are allowed to point out such things, so why not the person with the best view, the TMO?
This would effectively eliminate the vast majority of reffing errors.
Of course we all know that, even with all that technology, TMOs have made some shocking calls recently. To counter this I would also propose that two TMOs are appointed for each match. Just as referees are under a lot of pressure, so too are TMOs. Having two people reviewing each incident it would be very unlikely both would miss the obvious. If they disagree, they can whip out the IRB rules online in a few seconds and make sure the right call is made. This would ensure the vast majority of those shocking calls are eradicated.
So, there you have my proposed solutions to the problems of refereeing in rugby. What do you think? What solutions can you offer the game we’re all so passionate about? Let us know…
Well said.
The yellow card solution is viable, it will also rule out a player who cops a yellow for some of his team mate’s earlier transgressions. Remember the game where a substitute prop got a yellow in his very first scrum simply because the player he subbed transgressed earlier, and least not forget the scrumhalf who was sent off because his first feed wasn’t straight.
One question about the TMO’s. am I correct in thinking that TMO’s are actually refs who made so many blunders that they can’t be trusted with the whistle anymore?
I think it was Veldsman who gave a shocker of a try once for or against the Bulls (can’t remember which) and since then has only been a TMO.
If that is the case, then there are some serious questions that needs to be asked about the level of skill for those appointed TMO.
ufo,
Thank you for this article… a great piece, brother!
Regarding the Yellow Cards:
I believe that when a Yellow Card is issued, in stead of not sending that player off (like in soccer), to send that player off for 10 minutes, BUT to also allow an immediate replacement on for that player for the 10 minutes… thus not disadvantaging the offending team and changing the whole course of the game.
After 10 minutes the offending player comes back on… and if the coach is clever / astute, he will sub that player permanently for the rest of the game, so that if another Yellow Card Offence is committed by that player, it is not turned into a Red Card… and off for the rest of the game.
I believe the Red Card, whether for the more serious offence or for the double Yellow, should be off the field for the rest of the game, without allowing a replacement on for the Red Carded player.
In addition I would like to see a CHALLENGE SYSTEM (like was trialled in the Varsity Cup a few years ago), where the Captain of a side has 2 challenges in a game, for either a Red Card or Yellow Card offence. If the Captain’s challenge is successful, the 2 challenges remain, if not one challenge falls away.
Regarding Rating the Referee / Match Official / TMO:
It is bulldust, as you rightly point out, that there is not more transparency in Rating Referees / Match Officials / TMO’s, whereas player careers are equally important and affected as negatively.
Referees / Match Officials / TMO’s are a protected species, and that is plain wrong!
Regarding Technology:
Thechnology is there and I agree that it has to be used!
TMO calls must be concise and instructive though and all measures MUST be taken to improve communication with the TMO.
It happens all too often that there are severe communication issues, and in today’s time that is unacceptable.
It is even more unacceptable that a poorly communicating TMO, like Shaun Veldsman, is unable to communicate his instructive decision to the Referee, simple as that!
Firstly, great article UFO.
Secondly, the players don’t even know the rules any more.
They have become so complex and open to interpretation.
Thirdly, Rugby ain’t Soccer, and so tinkering with the Card Rule was/is necessary.
Now my pennies worth:
Greater use of the Citing Officer should be used.
Should a Referee deem an offence Serious enough to warrant a card,
but NOT serious enough to RUIN a game of Rugby that 45,000 people have just paid $70.00 to sit and watch.
Then (just as in Rugby League) he should refer the incident to The Citing Officer.
Who in the fullness of time can adjudicate on the incident.
Handing down whatever judgement on the Player (or The Team.)
Harsh Judgement that is……………………. Financial for The Team, and Suspension for The Player.
If we haveva team ranking system why can’t we have one for refs?
😆
gunther wrote:
Because the ref who is rated 12 should actually have been 7th if he got easier games to ref, showing that the rating system is flawed and not a true reflection of the worth of the ref?
My problems I have with the refs is, firstly, there is still a too big a difference between how Northern and Southern Hemiphere refs blow, allow flow and interpret the game.
So every time we get a NH ref in a SH tournament, there are questions and finger pointing and unhappiness etc.
Secondly, if it works on a rating, which I’m sure it does, and for argument sake the top 4 refs are SA and NZ refs, that means that if those two countries play, they will be officiated by a ref rated 5th or lower
@ nortierd:
Dickhead.
@ nortierd:
The kiwi refs will be in the bottom four.
An interesting read and some good points. Well done on the article UFO.
My take on it is that SURELY if a player transgresses to an extent that he deserves a yellow card, then surely dsending him off but allowing a replacement defeats the object.
Make sure the PROFESSIONAL players know the rules. If they don’t know they’re breaking the rules (technical infringements, not thuggery) then they shouldn’t be playing at a level that is televised.
Make sure the ref’s know the rules and that they ALL INTERPRET THEM THE SAME. (I’ve made this point at least 10 times in the last 5 years, but the ref’s / IRB just can’t seem to recognise the smell enemating from their shit filled underwear, and fail to “transform” themselves into a credible bunch of professionals.
Make sure tha the TMO’s can all communicate with the ref’s clearly and UNDERSTAND what the question is.
Make sure the TMO’s are able to accurately CONVEY their thoughts / decisions to the onfield ref’.
FFS, how many times in recent months do we hear a TMO start uttering something to the ref’ after a referal. The ref’ either takes it in a different direction and asks a supplementary question and the TMO changes tack accordingly, or the onfield ref’ just makes his own mind up anyway, often in total contradiction to the video evidence OR the TMO?
The level of consistency of the ref’s in top class Rugby Union is p1ss poor.
Enough sh1t. Fukc the ref’s.
It’s a fooking horses ass
@ nortierd:
When Steve Walsh got the Boks over the Argies (and Wales) no one here raised a voice of protest?
Same when Peyper swindled the ABs vs the Wallabies (or when Joubert swindled the Crusaders) , no one here asked for referees’ rating system?
But, when Poite and Clancy issued Yellow cards, suddenly there is a need for a wholesale change?
‘what goes around comes around’ said PdV 😆
nice article ufo
think you’ve got it spot-on with the yellow card issue.
don’t agree with the tmo “chatting” with the ref during open play though! think a kiwi or Australian accent in a south African ear may cause nausea while running!!
@ Hondo:
Well if the Aussie and Kiwi media reckon they were hard done by then maybe you are talking out of your bum as usual.
😆
Excellent article!
@ Hondo:
Hondo you Shen Jing bing after Peyper had his monumental fuck up in Sydney we were all protesting.
UFO, good article mate, how long would Bakkies have lasted under your strict regime?
@ gunther:
Great article UFO.Does not address issue of cynical play,which,it is mooted,
is now being coached.
I contend that this is worse than outright thuggery,and that all players involved
should be yellow carded,binned and cited even if several players involved
in a single passage of play.
Would ruin game as a spectacle but in time would eliminate the problem.
Regards Rye
thanks for all the feedback gents…
1 @ nortierd:
Shot Norts…
Yeah… the TMOs do seem to be refs who’ve stuffed up… They obviously need more schooling… but hopefully having two will mean less stuff ups… I did say ‘hopefully’…! 😉
And from your other comment… yeah… the refs need to have a uniform standard of blowing a game… and leave “interpretations” the to the art critics…
2 @ grootblousmile:
Thanks Rudi… for your comments… and for posting the article for me…
I (obviously) agree about the cards… thing is… in rugby playing a man down normally is a huge disadvantage and has repercussions way beyond penalizing the individual player…
Yeah… a challenge system could add great value… and checks and balances too…
Great point…!
Agree on the comms side too… why put refs in a straight jacket of only asking a pre-formulated question? Let them ask whatever they need to, to get the correct answer…
3 @ cane:
Cheers Cane… You’re right about the players not knowing the rules…
I heard a Cheetahs player on TV talking about the squad doing “tests” on the rules and the average score was 13%… I reckon that will be a similar average in all the unions…
Yeah… the citing officers should be made more use of for sure… and should be more transparent and consistent, no doubt… with more consistent penalties too…
9 @ Scrumdown:
Thanks Scrummie… It may be defeating the purpose of punishing that player… but surely the primary purpose is to have… and keep… a fair contest between the two teams…?
If the player gets a second card he’s off for the rest of the game… I reckon most coaches would sub the offending player to avoid the red… and then the second choice ‘utility’ player takes over… so the team would not be as efficient… but not taken out of the contest…
10 @ Hondo:
Hondo…
offering solutions is better than chirping from the peanut gallery all your life…
another peanut…? 😆
11 @ Ashley:
Thanks Ashley… Great point…!!
I never took the accents into account..!!
13 @ GoBokkeAndIreland:
Thanks GB&I…!!
15 @ NZINCHINA:
Hey China…! cool bud… hopefully no serial offenders… players or refs… would last too long before having to change their ways…
16 @ ryecatcher:
Hey Mr Wry… 😉
Yeah… I’m with you on the cynical play… Hopefully TMOs and touchies could offer their views over the comms…
@ NZINCHINA:
14
You protested AFTER the test
I pointed out at the swindle BEFORE the Test, same as with the SR final
Big difference I believe?
😆
@ ufo:
22
I offered a solution time and again BEFORE these tests
it’s called a ‘Polygraph’, ever heard of it?
@ Hondo:
One of the refs you mention on here regularly is a good friend of mine, I haven’t seen much of him in recent years for various reasons but you are so far wide of the mark with your comments, you are just plain wrong about him, as for the other refs I wouldn’t know 😛
27 @ Hondo:
yes, you should take a polygraph… i can set you up with a mate who does it for big business…
it’s interesting that you never played superbru… with all your “knowledge”… you would have been the global champion since its inception… and won yourself a lot of prizes… and you could have shown us all how good you really are…
then again.. no bullshitter is ever going to put his cockonablock… and prove he’s one…
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