Other Sports - Rugby - Of Referee Interest

Referee Talk: Rugby has been called a "ruffians' game played by gentlemen" (while soccer is a gentleman's' game played by ruffians). As such, the referee expects to have absolute respect and obedience from the players. One of the reasons for these clips is that the referees and touchjudges are mic'd, and the feed is included in the broadcast. You can hear the referee-touchjudge conversation, hear the referee talking to the players, warning them when they are getting close to an infringement, explaining the infringement, etc. Click on the image to the left to play clips of those conversations, starting with one of the best Rugby referees in the world, Nigel Owen (Welsh Rugby Union), who is known for his dry humour

10 Additional Meters for Dissent : In the face of disrespect/dissent to a call, the spot of the restart can be advanced 10 meters up the field (repeatedly, if necessary).

Yellow and Red Cards: Yellow and Red Cards are used. The Yellow Card results in a 10 minute "Sin-Bin" for the carded player - the team plays short. A Red Card is a dismissal, and the team plays short. Many physical interactions that would result in Yellow or Red Cards in soccer are considered minor in Rugby; however, affronts to the Spirit of the Game are treated seriously.

The Penalty Try: One of the more serious affronts to the spirit of the game is when the referee believes that one team is deliberately committing infractions to prevent the other team from scoring. In the face of this "Denies an Obvious Try Scoring Opportunity", the referee is empowered to award a Penalty Try, which is equivalent to scoring a try between the goalposts. Since the Try Conversion is taken from a spot directly out from where the ball is actually touched down to the field, this not only gives the infringed team 5 points for the Try, but also the easiest possible Conversion for another 2 points.

Blood Rule: Because of "loose rucks" (with players on the ground, the ball on the ground, and players coming in who can't use their hands to grab the ball, but who can use their feet), and because of the contact sport nature of Rugby, there are many occasions where a player emerges from a tackle or loose ruck with blood streaming out of one or more gashes. As in soccer, blood is considered dangerous, and is a reason for a player leaving the field or being treated on the field. There are a limited number of "Substitutions" made during a match. However, "Temporary Substitutions" frequently occur. The "Blood Rule" commonly results in a temporary substitution until the blood flow is staunched.

On Field Medical Care: In Rugby Union (as well as Rugby League, Rugby 7s, and Aussie Rules - see below), team personnel are often out on the pitch during active play. "Physio's" (trainers), "Medics" (Doctors), "Hydrators" (water/sports-drinks) and "Messengers" (messengers) are out there dealing with injuries and other issues. Since medical staff can come on the field during active play, even serious injuries don't frequently result in a stoppage of play. However, as in soccer, if an injured player is down and in the area of active play, the referee will stop play. Also, head/neck injuries now result in a quicker response from the referee.

Referee - Not Part of the Field: Interference of play from any of these team personnel, or from the referee, results in a stoppage of play. Unlike soccer, the referee is not considered a part of the field; perhaps this is why the referee is treated with more respect, and not, as in soccer, "treated like dirt". Still, it is a physical game, and the referee is wise to try to stay out of the way - doesn't always happen.

Advantage: Advantage is an important concept in Rugby but is based more on a gain in field position; an advantage call can last for several minutes while the referee waits to see if the infringed team will ultimately gain enough field position to drop the advantage call. The amount of gain in field position necessary to determine that advantage has been realized, however, depends on the nature of the infraction.

Penalty Reversal: If the infringed team commits an offence during a dead-ball situation, the referee may "reverse" the previous call and give a restart to the other team.

Dive - even in Rugby: I suppose it is not so surprising that, even in this game played by "Gentlemen", the temptation of simulation or enhancement (i.e. the Dive) can now be occasionally found. Unlike in soccer, however, this tends to be a little more self-correcting since the vast majority of players will not respect a player who they think has taken a dive. The game is physical enough that the other players can make their displeasure known in subtle ways (such as stomping on someone's head in a loose ruck). This is the only example of a rugby dive I have yet seen (French team - French or Italian player).

Offside: Offside seems to be as difficult to understand for rugby players as for soccer players. In many ways, offside is easier in Rugby. The Offside Line is the Ball. Simple. Plain. Like it was originally in soccer.