The Chiefs and Hurricanes game on Friday night was a cracker, as was the Lions and Crusaders match its own way – but unfortunately both were marred by continuous backchat to the refs.
On Friday night TJ Perenara was the chief offender. He frequently disagreed with the referee and in petulant terms. Every time Perenara thought a decision had gone against his team, he argued with the referee. What’s worse, his body language was confrontational and disrespectful.
In the second half, he took a dive when he and an opponent were running for the ball. The opponent had not done anything to deserve a penalty, yet Perenara exaggerated his fall and rose with his arms outspread, yelling at the referee for a penalty.
In the Lions match, the referee went to the television match official to check suspected foul play by the Lions. A Lions player was heard clearly to say to the referee, “You only go to the TMO against us, not against them”. If that is not an allegation of cheating, I do not know what is.
Arguing with the referee, contradicting him, taking dives, calling for unwarranted penalties and alleging bias is against the spirit of the game. If you wish to do those sorts of things, there are other football codes which would seem to allow it. Rugby never did that, nor should it now.
[latest_videos_strip category=”rugby” name=”Rugby”]
The simple answer is to require the referees to enforce the law. I am an avid rugby watcher, and not once in the last two seasons have I seen a penalty for backchat, turning a free kick into a penalty kick or marching ten metres.
You will recall that four years ago Wayne Barnes sent Dylan Hartley off in a premiership final for calling Barnes a cheat. Rightly so.
I do not necessarily blame Perenara or the Lions player. If they can get away with it, why stop? It is appallingly dumb rugby to aggravate a ref, but if that’s their mentality, so be it.
I blame the referees and the referee coaches and assessors for allowing this state of affairs to exist in our game. If it were not tolerated, you could imagine what steps coaches would take to ensure that their players did not indulge in it.
A proper application of the laws would eradicate this problem within three weeks.
piru
Roar Rookie
Refs don't have time for bias, they simply call what they see. The perception of bias (imo) comes when there is a disconnect between what the fans and players see and what the ref sees.
Wally James
Roar Guru
It would not be OK regardless of which team I barrack for. The situation you have outlined should result in a penalty - plain and simple. The fact of the matter is that the opinion of the player is irrelevant on the paddock. I find one of the worst offenders is Stephen Moore. His captaincy is appalling in this respect. On numerous occasions Moore should have been marched ten, but wasn't. His attitude is hardly surprising when his coach is a serial offender when it comes to blaming refs for Wallaby losses. They are both tarred with the same brush. In recent times NZ has won because they are the better team. Carping at the ref when a decision goes against the Wallabies achieves nothing but acrimony between ref and the players. It takes their mind off what they are out there for. If you play the game and not the ref, the rest looks after itself, in my experience.
Jemain Okinga
Roar Rookie
Hi Hannes I agree talk back should be punished. But in rugby, every game of rugby played in the world, is probably being reffed differently, totally my opinion, based on no facts other than games played and games watched. From what Ive seen, my opinion is it seems every one interprets the rules so diffrently. And as the ref is the sole adjudicator, he/she is the most important person in the game. If you don't have someone communicating, how you intend to play the game. And from there building an understanding how the ref is calling the game, you are probably at a big disadvantage. The team whom addapts the fastest to the refs interpretations helps themselves immensely imo. Thats why I see building a conversation to try and gauge how a ref thinks is the most important part of the game of rugby. For example: If you are playing a team with good linespeed, if you have rapport just saying was that offside in hearing range of a ref may or may not get the ref to check for offsides, but if he/she chooses too, most times it would slow the linespeed of the opposition defence, and even if it gives you half a second that gives your playmakers an extra moment to make a better decision or thats how I look at rugby anyway. I just think the game is usually won in the top 2%. So I get people don't like incessant talk, but with so many diffrences in interpretation of rugbys laws it is necessary.I totally understand that could just be me who sees it like that.
Hannes
Guest
I hate the idea to given someone a warning. Give a penalty and card why should you get a "get out of jail" card for the first offense. The game should be played in line with the laws.
Hannes
Guest
Or the home team
Hannes
Guest
Yes I agree that it is subjective but would hate to see rugby become like soccer. Use the TMO if needed to get the call right but make it clear that it will be a yellow card if you are caught. The risk will not be worth it then, it is not in the spirit oft the game.
Hannes
Guest
Should not. You should be marched 10 metres and if you continue should be send for a 10 minute rest. I have no time for players that try to influence the ref - it is cheating in my books.
Cuw
Guest
well u will need to tell that to the Blues and Crusaders and few other teams , who were very good on the day but got screwed by biased reffing. (ok crusaders last year won despite the ref against Lions in SA)
piru
Roar Rookie
We were still allowed to ruck properly then, too
WEST
Roar Guru
Ahhh the 90s, bliss no TMO just a man and a whistle
piru
Roar Rookie
"If I don't see something, I can't give a penalty because you told me about it" Unnamed American bloke who reffed from Perth in the mid 90s
WEST
Roar Guru
So.... Im guessing WallyJames your Australian, if the All Blacks vs Wallabies and the ABs did something illegal and the ref missed it and the players were going off about it, bringing the issue to the refs attention would that Not be o.k with you? Lets be honest this happen's on all sides going to the Ref. The players are looking for every edge and advantage, and sometimes the Ref gets it wrong or the players see a situation from a different angle or point of view to the Ref. I bet you in a certain situation were the Ref missed something and your team complained about it until he had a look I guarantee you'll be all for backchat!!
Jemain Okinga
Roar Rookie
I think Haskill got a bit heated for a second.
piru
Roar Rookie
I don't personally think there's any actual bias, but if the ability exists to remove even the perception, why not take it?
Jemain Okinga
Roar Rookie
Wally I have to admit I enjoy shairing my point of views with a ref and pointing out things he might of missed, always finishing with sir of course. I guess their is a thin line but it is up to the ref to lay down their boundaries, and the1 half back is basically the unofficial ref in my books hehe.
Benny
Guest
I agree with the overall theme of the article but I don't think TJP dived. He was in mid air, having just kicked and was knocked to the ground. Yeah, he stuck his arms out, perhaps in exasperation but the impact was real
adastra32
Guest
I agree 100%. There are one or two Lions players on this tour who are infamous yackers back home and who would deserve all they get if penalised...
AndyS
Guest
I think you'd find the reffing is far more often in favour of the perceived "good" team than it is in favour of a team from the same country as the ref. Becomes self-perpetuating...
dontcallmeshirley
Guest
I hope so too Wally. I thought that AG stood up for himself quite well.
AndyS
Guest
(moved...wrong location)