IRB's tackle ruling
Wed, 17 Mar 2010
The tackle remains a nettle on the rugby field. The IRB has been returning to basics in the application of the law and now gives a ruling to help with the applications of the law, one which, it seems, will be a perennial problem.
Time: IRB Ruling
Tue, 16 Mar 2010
The Laws of rugby football are, in a sense, a compendium of failure. Somebody does something that looks wrong or not quite kosher or causing an unwanted effect and that becomes law. This has happened now with deciding the end of a match, after the incident which ended the Wales-France encounter.
Referees to 21 March
Tue, 16 Mar 2010
It's the last day of Six Nations and it ends with the big one, Le Crunch, at Stade de France. There are also vital matches in ancient Trabazon on the Black Sea - an interesting venue - and Lisbon, the loser of the latter may well be out of hope of qualifying for the World Cup. There is a lot to keep referees on their toes.
S14: Referees for Weeks 6-8
Thu, 11 Mar 2010
SANZAR has announced the match official for Weeks 6-8. They include the return of Stuart Dickinson and Nathan Pearce from injury and relatively new men in Jaco Peyper, Jonathon White and Garratt Williamson.
Two referees 'stood down'
Thu, 11 Mar 2010
Two of SANZAR's panel of referees will not be getting appointments to Super 14 matches until they have made improvements to their performances.
Mark Lawrence turns 50
Wed, 10 Mar 2010
No, not his age, but in Saturday he will referee his 50th Super Rugby match when the Chiefs play the Crusaders in Hamilton, a top match.
Referees to 15 March
Mon, 08 Mar 2010
Six Nations back with the others chasing France who are on the road to Rome. France continues to get closer to play-offs and the teams are falling regularly in the Super 14 with only the Bulls unbeaten. So the top referees are swanning about the world with their little whistles.
Watson on the Big Four
Tue, 02 Mar 2010
Before the Super 14 got going and at the request of the Super 14 coaches, certain existing laws were highlighted as in need of more careful attention and application with a view to making a faster and more creative game. André Watson, South Africa's refereeing boss, has taken stock.
Referees to 8 March
Mon, 01 Mar 2010
In Europe club and regional rugby is building towards the climax to come in April and May. In SANZAR countries the Super 14 is as eager as ever.
Some Six Nations statistics, Round 3
Mon, 01 Mar 2010
We give some statistics from the three closely contested matches this weekend and then some totals in which you can see which team is most penalised, which kicks most, which scores the most tries and d so on.
Craig on the right side of the law now
Fri, 26 Feb 2010
Craig Joubert's early rugby days were spent on the wrong side of the law; as a youngster he was a talented player - representing Natal in the flyhalf berth for the Primary Schools Craven Week. He chats to
rugby365.com about refereeing and technology in the game.
Laws: softening the tackle application?
Thu, 25 Feb 2010
The people who asked for a fuller application of the tackle law and the requirements of the tackler to comply were the Super 14 coaches. Now there has been some questioning of the application, at least by a coach in New Zealand.
Test referee from Cyprus via Durban
Wed, 24 Feb 2010
Johny Stavrinou will referee his third Test this Saturday when Greece play Finland in FIRA-AER's Division 3. It's a long way from Durban for this Cypriot.
Dickinson out; Pro's big chance
Wed, 24 Feb 2010
Stuart Dickinson is injured and has had to withdraw from the Super 14 match between the Cheetahs and the Highlanders in Bloemfontein. His place is taken by Pro Legoete of South Africa.
Referees to 1 March
Tue, 23 Feb 2010
It's another huge week with massive activity on the international front - Six Nations at various levels, FIRA-AER competitions, Super 14 and British & Irish Cup. Then the Vodacom Cup, an essentially South African competition starts this weekend with teams from Namibia and Argentina. The Namibian team is chosen from their national group who are playing in Namibia, calling themselves Welwitchias.
Statistics - Super 14, Week 2
Sun, 21 Feb 2010
Have you ever seen a Super 14 match like the one in Johannesburg? Mind you, have you ever seen any match like it? A team scored 65 and loses! It looks like a misprint. We give some statistics for the Week 2 matches.
Laws: Tackle Watch
Thu, 18 Feb 2010
The tackle is such a big issue at the moment - the burning issue in rugby. But then it has been a burning issue for many years and looks likely to remain so.
Referee removed
Thu, 18 Feb 2010
SANZAR's refereeing boss, Lyndon Bray of New Zealand, has removed Josh Noonan of New Zealand from his appointment as an assistant referee at Carisbrook on Friday night.
Laws: Scrum Watch
Thu, 18 Feb 2010
We have now had six matches in two rounds of Six Nations and seven matches in a round of Super 14. It is interesting to see how the scrums are going at a time when much effort has gone into eradicating the resetting of scrums.
Referees to 22 February
Tue, 16 Feb 2010
There is an hiatus on the Test match scene but there are many other hectic clashes in North and South - enough to keep referees sharp.