SANZAR to crack down on foul play
Thu, 02 Feb 2012
The miscreants of Super Rugby will get away with even less, following the announcement of new disciplinary rules to be trialled during the 2012 competition.
Referees work to get it right
Mon, 30 Jan 2012
South Africa's top referees have just completed a four-day training camp prior to the start of the 2012 rugby season.
Referees to 5 February 2012
Mon, 30 Jan 2012
It's time for the Six Nations to break out. January slipped away quickly and now it's Six Nations and its many heads. And the Sevens Series starts up again with Round Four in Wellington, New Zealand.
Referees to get more power
Sat, 28 Jan 2012
Referees in this season's Super Rugby tournament and all-new Rugby Championship will have powers to put players 'on report' for suspected foul play under a system being trialed in rugby union for the first time.
Unchanged refereeing in Six Nations
Wed, 25 Jan 2012
Following the usual pre-Six Nations meeting of interested parties in London on Tuesday, the IRB's referee boss, Paddy O'Brien was able to confirm that there would be no change of emphasis in refereeing in the 2012 Six Nations.
Appointments to 29 January 2012
Wed, 25 Jan 2012
The hurly-burly of the Heineken Cup is suddenly over, quarterfinalists are decided and we are back to clubs as they fight for glory or to avoid ignominy.
Bryce-less South Africa
Tue, 24 Jan 2012
Kiwi referee Bryce Lawrence will reportedly not be refereeing Super Rugby matches in South Africa.
Referees to 22 January 2012
Tue, 17 Jan 2012
It's a big weekend in Europe this coming weekend as it is the final round of the pool matches in the Heineken Cup and the Amlin Challenge Cup. The next step after this is the quarterfinals.
Looking forward
Fri, 06 Jan 2012
A forward pass seems such a basic part of rugby football's laws. Missing a forward pass can bring great scorn onto the head of a referee. It is seen as simple law, easy to apply.
Referees to 15 January 2012
Mon, 09 Jan 2012
It's back to fun and games in Europe this weekend as northern referees zoom all over the place.
Referees to 8 January 2012
Tue, 03 Jan 2012
The players of Europe continue to drag sore and soggy bodies into battle, and referees continue to arrive bright-eyed and perky at matches along with the battery of support that they have in many cases.
Law Discussion: Strange but quiet
Tue, 03 Jan 2012
A referee often gets more flak when he is right than when he is wrong. Here are some incidents which passed without comment.
Law Discussion: Obstruction
Tue, 27 Dec 2011
Scarlets play Munster in a Heineken Cup match at Thomond Park. Scarlets win the ball from a tackle/ruck and go left to where prop Rhodri Jones and lock Lou Reed are close to each other. The ball goes to Jones but Reed gets ahead of them. Jones drives into Reed's back as Damien Varley, Wian du Preez and Donnacha O’Callaghan close in.
Law Discussion: The receiver lifts
Tue, 27 Dec 2011
London Wasps are to throw into a line-out. They have scrumhalf Joe Simpson as a receiver. Hooker Rob Webber throws in towards the back where the second last player in the line-out, Richard Birkett, jumps for the ball. As he goes up Simpson moves from receiver into the line-out and lifts Birkett who wins the ball.
Referees to New Year's Day, 2012
Mon, 26 Dec 2011
2011 is fading fast away and the New Year is upon us with all the hope we always have. Let's hope that it is a splendid year for all referees and those who work with them - no controversies, no complaints.
Refs for Europe, Rounds 5 & 6
Fri, 23 Dec 2011
The European Cup, organisers of the Heineken Cup and the Amlin Challenge Cup, have announced the referees appointed to Rounds 5 & 6 of the Heineken Cup and the Amlin Challenge Cup. They are vital rounds as the knock-out stages come closer.
Law Discussion: Red for replacement
Mon, 19 Dec 2011
There is always something new in rugby. You may have thought you have seen it all when something new crops up - this time a red card for a player that left his side playing with 15 men.
Referees for Christmastide
Mon, 19 Dec 2011
The world mostly takes a break at this time. Even rugby does and for the most part referees are allowed to celebrate the happy feast of Christmas. The day itself is free but there will be some club action around about.
Law discussion: The indications' fault?
Sat, 17 Dec 2011
There is some talk about changing laws, including those dealing with the scrummage. The nearest we have to a suggestion is a change to the referee's cadence at the setting of the scrum. But surely the messy problem goes well beyond the cadence.
Law discussion: Mark and kick
Tue, 13 Dec 2011
At the risk of being labelled nitpickers and spoilsports and killjoys, we shall look at the mark and getting the kick wrong. But it is not clear why the law should be applied...
