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Opinion
With all the complaints about inconsistency and even bias from some supporters and commentators, I thought I’d just go through the process a referee goes through during contact in a game to show how they, or I, have to think.
Now, as before when I’ve posted referee things, these are my thoughts only and in no way is this an official, referee-endorsed post. Plus it’s after dinner, I’m a couple of red wines down and let’s just see where this goes.
I’ll start with a ball carrier running in the game and making contact with an opposition. Here are some of the thoughts and processes I follow during the game so that I can rule on the collision and post-collision work while the ball is being contested.
Remember, this happens very fast and most decisions are made in split seconds and based on the overall picture rather than point by point.
However, here we go.
Was the tackle legal? How high was the contact? Did it move up during the hit? Did the tackler use his arms and attempt to grab the ball carrier?
Does the ball carrier go to ground (one knee on the ground is all it takes)? When he does do the tacklers release him straight away?
Does the person hitting him go to ground? If he does, he’s officially a tackler, if not then he isn’t considered a tackler.
(Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)
If the defending player doesn’t go to ground, does he clearly release the tackled player before going for the ball and is he approaching it from an onside position?
Does the defender trying to jackal support himself on his feet and not his arms? He can place hands on the ground and then go for the ball but not elbows and not stay on the ground.
If the tackler does go to ground, does he land in a position that enables him to roll clear? This is the tackler’s responsibility. If he gets caught up and pinned blocking the ball, he needs to change his technique or he gets penalised. Players hate this, but meh!
Does the tackler immediately roll clear and does he do it sideways? Unlike the Brumbies rolling into the nine’s space.
Does the tackled player immediately place the ball and then release it? Does he try to clear out of the way? Again, moving sideways.
Does the first defender arrive before the ruck is formed, one person from each side in contact over the ball?
If the defender does arrive first, does he arrive from an onside position? Does he get hands on the ball and attempt to lift it? They can’t just hold the ball in, they must show intent to lift it out.
Once a defender arrives, the ruck is formed. But if the jackal has his hands on the ball, he can continue to try and gain possession even if he is driven off his feet by the arriving defenders.
(Photo by Matt King/Getty Images)
Is the defending player binding properly on the tackle or opposition? Not around the neck or head.
Do the arriving players stay on their feet or are they diving onto the ruck to slow the ball?
As players arrive, do they bind from the last man and not move forward?
Are the other players around the ruck onside and do they stay onside? Is the back line defending onside all the way to the wing or are they creeping up as the ruck develops?
Are the blockers onside at the level of the last person and not moving into the way of a player coming through?
Once the ball comes out, the next player takes it into contact and we start again.
So that’s a small – a very small – part of the job. It’s probably not a wonder we get it wrong sometimes and remember, depending on where I’m standing, that will depend on what I see and rule on.
Plus I always have to consider the materiel effect of anything I see and does it warrant stopping the game?
It is all good fun and I love it.
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.