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.
Objective
Guest
1. "Rugby referees shape high level games according to personal quirks ". Evidence ? 2. "Several respected rugby scribes........." Who? And just because a journalist gives an opinion, is it gospel? 3. Implying Poite is "grossly unfair and narcissistic". Ever met him? 4. Some palaver about NFL. Relevance? 5. "Refs slow things down to suit themselves". Just utterly wrong. 6. " A less dynamic whistle heavy game keeps them in the good books of the IRB" Ditto. Joel jutge, current IRB referee manager was renowned for his open, flowing style. 7. Last paragraph. Not even worth commenting. Yeah, thanks for the advice, niwdeyaj. Give them a break?? How about doing some research and getting some facts rather than an uneducated lazy cheap shot. Can't wait for your next article.
PB
Guest
Actually, the reality is that most refs now are either career referees or go on to refereeing after a playing career-ending injury. I can't speak for all of them, but the reason I took it up was to give back to the game I love, not to be a 'mincing poodle' as you so eloquently put it. And no, you're quite wrong - the only people at a game who don't know the laws are...the specatators.
Geronimo
Guest
Spectators complain about stoppages in Rugby and fans in RL complain because the refs let it go and miss penalties to their team.. Bring Shane hayne to referee big Rugby games and then we will have closer games than Joubert.
SandBox
Guest
Well yes indeed, but I've seen some figures on the roar of ball in play as low as 22 minutes in a game. This is smashing a good bottle of wine against a wall to me. Refs like Joubert are responsible for this. Quickies remove the possibility of blue balls at least
The Cheat
Guest
Glen Jackson was actually good enough to make it as a player, didn't set the world on fire but I remember him playing a few games with the Chiefs
Blinky Bill of Bellingen
Guest
My attempted point was that 'beauty is in the eye of the beholder'. So many sports bowls, golf..........er Rugby have subtleties that need to be appreciated. Sniff the wine and twirl it about in the glass before finally skulling it. :) Not everything in life is a 'quicky'. Although..........even quickies are good when on offer. ;)
SandBox
Guest
Wal agree, but we were talking about kicking goals in rugby union versus a golf coverage, not RL
The thing about the video ref has all to do with camera angles, hence the TMO calling on forward passes is dangerous, unless he has a camera angle perpendicular to the field he should not call on a pass. He should then only call on totally clear evidence, like a ball being grounded or a player in touch etc.
Wal
Roar Guru
I am in 2 minds about video refs. I would love to see if they are any more accurate than the bloke out on the field. Seems to me they both get it wrong at times. Cricket has gone to far with the whole DRS to the detriment of the game, I grew up with the refs call is final and you win some and lose some. Almost an education in life, sometimes things don't go your way and you just have to get on with it.
I think the reality is teams make sure they are competitive, there after if it is a close game it is often down to the luck of the decision that determines the winner.
Wal
Roar Guru
Everyone has their own preferences I can appreciate the skill involved in kicking a goal far more than some square shaped bloke running at another square shaped bloke putting the ball between his legs and doing all over again 6 times.
Wal
Roar Guru
Agreed I thought both ref's did a good job on the weekend, I didn't agree with all the calls but has any seen what is going on in England at moment. Rugby has this bizarre obsession with Refs, all sports have controversial decisions. The fact that rugby can be played with so many different styles also means Refs must adapt to the players and they way they are playing as much as the players must adapt to the Ref. This in my opinion the beauty of Rugby 15 people of very differents sizes and shapes can come together in a vast variety of ways to try and outsmart and out play their opponents.
GWS
Guest
Criticism is easy. Creativity. ..
niwdeyaj
Guest
Objective, I've never seen Ciboulette write an article - he's having a go - give him/her a break... if you think this article is rubbish, then your comments are equally poor if not worse.
SandBox
Guest
agreed, but even after the cut there is 65+ remaining in the field and you can watch fairly continuous play with the enormous number of cameras. Watching 20-30 mins of a rugby goal kicker doing combinations of: place tee, spit, take a few steps, scratch balls, look at posts, etc is less entertaining to me than golf
Kuruki
Roar Guru
The biggest annoyance for me is the video ref taking waaaay too many looks at the same thing. It very rarely takes me a second look to get it right imo and after the second look if i can't award a try it would be a no try. Looking at something 6 or 7 times does not change the outcome. Make a decision the evidence is right there.
Johnson
Guest
conclusive? what evidence? please enlighten us all??
Blinky Bill of Bellingen
Guest
If you're only interested in the time that the ball is in action, then you'd better stay well clear of golf. :(
Sheikh
Guest
Yes, refs have quirks; some will concentrate on offside at the breakdown, some on the breakdown itself, some are picky on scrums, some will give longer for advantage to materialise, etc. But refs are announced at least a week in advance in Super Rugby. Maybe when the coaches are preparing the players for the next opposition they can also prepare for the ref's foibles.
WQ
Guest
Have you ever Reffed a game of Rugby Ajax?