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Picture the scene – you’re intently following your team on attack in the final minutes of a crucial match, there’s a ruck and tired bodies fling themselves into the fray.
But alas! The whistle blows and the opposition have a huge pressure-relieving penalty.
‘What was that for?!’ you scream but you are left with no idea why your team was penalised.
If you’re unlucky enough to not be at the game and therefore watching it on TV you might receive an explanation from the commentators.
However, the usual comment is along the lines of, ‘not sure what the penalty was for. Kafe, you’re on the sideline, any idea?’
Scrums, lineouts, rucks and mauls seem to regularly result in puzzling penalties.
Often the best guide to the culprit’s identity is a close up of a particular player walking back to his mark, either on TV or the big screen.
An ongoing frustration about rugby union for me and my mates is the current trend of painfully pedantic officiating by the referees. As a Reds supporter it’s been particularly acute this year. The referees seem to have a mindset where they have to enforce every rule rather than use the rules as a framework so that a game of rugby can take place.
I remember the wonderful Welsh referee Clive Norling being dismissive of minor misdemeanours as long as they didn’t interrupt the flow of the match. But if they are going to call a penalty why not clearly tell us what the penalty is for?
I’m a big fan of NFL and I would like to see rugby union introduce the practice of the head referee switching on his mic and announcing to all and sundry what the penalty is for and who committed it. Something like: ‘offside, No. 7 black’.
I can see two major problems that NFL doesn’t have to worry about:
• It takes time – but I don’t think it would add much more, and the ref could make the announcement while the kicker is mucking about with his kicking tee, or lining up to kick for the sideline. Therefore there is no additional time.
• Quick tap – these are quite rare for penalties but if one occurs the ref can simply abort his announcement and focus on the game. But it doesn’t take long to at least say what the penalty is for, e.g. ‘not releasing’.
There is a requirement for hardware. This system relies on the ref having a mic, which costs money. But professional refs always seem to have mics these days, and certainly at the Super Rugby level and above.
This idea will be particularly satisfying for spectators when the opposition is penalised. All good drama needs a villain, and this is a great way to reinforce our preconceived notions of the villainy of the opposition.
On the other hand, it might be your team penalised. And although it may not reduce your disappointment, at least you’ll know who did what, and you can focus your frustration with a classic Colonel Klink ‘Hogan!’ Or ‘Simmons!’ if you’re a Reds fan – we love the big guy but, oh man, he attracts the ire of the refs.
The big winners will be the potential fans of the game. I have no doubt in my mind that rugby union is the superior sporting code. But mates of mine who follow other sports are often turned off by the confusing penalties awarded. I really admire the elegant simplicity of league and the way the laws are enforced. Why not have the same clarity in union?
Join The Roar rugby editor Christy Doran, former Wallaby Matt Toomua and a cast of regular and special guests as they look at the biggest issues in the game on The Roar Rugby Podcast. If you’re looking for great odds on the next game check out Aussie bookmaker PlayUp. Chances are you’re about to lose. Set a deposit limit.