Rugby refs' personal quirks slowing play

Roar Rookie

1st August, 2013

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Craig Joubert was not to blame, it was a lack of the basics. (AAP Image/Lukas Coch)

Ciboulette new author

Roar Rookie

1st August, 2013

1135 Reads

For some time now, many rugby fans have been concerned at the way referees have been are able to shape high-level rugby according to their own personal quirks.

Several respected rugby scribes have written about one ref in particular, Raymond Poite, claiming he’s infamous for continually caning the team that first offends against the laws, and for the same perceived offence.

If this is so, Mr Poite is not only being grossly unfair but also narcissitic. By dictating a style of play, he, and many refs like him – the list is a long one – favour personal influence over impersonal adjudication.

Something similar has recently arisen in American football.

Chip Kelly, the new head coach of the Philadelphia Eagles, has had great success at the University of Oregon running a no-huddle offence – legally getting off plays quickly to eventually tire out the defence.

But the folks who run the NFL say he can’t do this with anywhere near the repetition in the pro game because it’s up to the refs to dictate the rate of play.

The refs are, unofficially, under orders to slow things down in order to allow greater air time for commercials.

But rugby’s not a slave to the commercial imperium; rugby refs slow things down to suit themselves.

For one thing, a less dynamic, whistle-heavy game keeps them in the good books of the IRB, which worships strict discipline. But for players and spectators, the eccentricities of refs are frustrating.

When team A goes up against team B, we of course want a level playing field. But if referees continue to exercise their pet peeves, we’re not going to get one.

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