SANZAAR referees go to school

Lyndon Bray, SANZAAR's game manager, brought the referees from the five Super Rugby countries as well as TMOs, managers, assessors and coaches.

They ended with an enjoyable function at L'Avenir wine estate, just outside Stellenbosch on the Klapmuts Road. The attendees then headed home to Argentina, Australia, Japan, New Zealand and various parts of South Africa.

What follows is a basic summary of their discussions. At the end of the summary, Glen Jackson sums up the camp and its value.

i. TACKLE/RUCK PHILOSOPHY

Balance of Strength

Quality of contest

Quality of clean-out

ii. TACKLE/RUCK – PRIORITIES

1: TACKLER

Tacklers must roll to the side QUICKLY

Tacklers who get in the way will be penalised

Attacking players must not prevent tacklers from rolling away

iii. TACKLE/RUCK – PRIORITIES

2: ASSIST TACKLER

There must be a CLEAR release

The ball carrier must be able to move the ball

If we need a replay it is not a clear release

3: ARRIVING PLAYERS

Attack

No hands on the ground to prevent contest

Clearly sealing whilst under pressure

Defence

No hands on the ground to contest the ball

Players off feet cannot continue to play the ball

iv. TACKLE/RUCK – FOCUS AREAS

Supporting body weight

Players must not land directly on tackled players without removing a defender or prevent a contest

Side Entry

Players must not enter from the side of the tackle/ruck

Blocking Pillars

Players not part of the tackle/ruck must not bind onto each other and be clearly behind the hindmost foot

v. TACKLE/RUCK – FOCUS AREAS

Take-outs

Players must not tackle opponents in front, beyond or at the side of the tackle/ruck

Holding

Players must not hold or obstruct players who are not part of the tackle/ruck

vi. SCRUM

SCRUM – PRIORITIES

No pre-engagement

No rush calls from the referee – 3 calls – 3 actions

Stability after set – Good platforms

Legal binding

Support body weight

Pushing straight

vii. SCRUM – FOCUS AREAS

Pre-engagement 

Both packs must allow at least a gap on “bind” with no movement

Stability

Both packs must not push or pull before the feed

Scrum Feed & Hook

Feeds must be credible and hookers must clearly strike the ball

viii. LINE-OUT

LINE-OUT/MAUL – PRIORITIES

Defending Team

No interference on jumper

No sacking the lifters

No Leg lifting

No Swimming

Throwing Team

No Blockers – Illegal formation around the catcher

No Blockers – Obstruction on the blind side

Players must stay bound

Once a maul is formed players must not

join in front of the ball carrier

ix. Line-out – FOCUS AREAS

Throwers

Hookers must stand in the middle of the line-out

Gap

Players must not delay the setup and must not step or be lifted across the gap

Contact in the air

Jumpers must not be hold or tackle opponents in the air

x. MAUL – FOCUS AREAS

Defending Team

Sacking lifters

Lifters must not be sacked

Side entry. 

Players must not enter from the side of the maul

xi SPACE/OFFSIDE

SPACE – FOCUS AREAS

Offside Pillars

Players standing at pillar must show daylight behind the back foot of the ruck

Restarts

Players must not be ahead of the ball and kickers must be behind the line

Line-out/Scrum

Both teams must remain 10m/5m until they are over

xii. FOUL PLAY/VALUES

FOUL PLAY – FOCUS AREAS

Head contact

Match officials will continue to focus on any incidents of foul play that contact the head or neck of opponents

Reckless or dangerous actions which cause contact to the head or neck can be sanctioned with a red card

xiii. HIGH TACKLE GUIDELINES

1. Contact (initial & final)

2. Action (Accidental, Reckless or Deliberate)

3. Force & Follow through

xiv. VALUES – FOCUS AREAS

Deliberate actions

If an action is deliberate in order to gain a penalty, when possible play will continue

Trapping

Players must not prevent tacklers from rolling away

Appealing & Dissent

Players must not appeal or shout at the match officials or retaliate to acts of foul play

Too many warnings without sanctions

xv. SUMMARY

To be successful and consistent in applying these focus areas it has to be a team approach:

Higher work rate from the referees around Tackle/ Ruck

Daylight at ruck – Focus from referees and stronger support from assistant referees

Consistency at the breakdown – Off feet & Side entry

Proactive at scrum – no pre-engagement and credible feeds/hooks

Credible line-out gap and focus on both teams at maul

Respect the values of the game

To be successful and consistent in applying these focus areas it has to be a team approach:

Higher work rate from the referees around Tackle/ Ruck

Daylight at ruck – Focus from referees and stronger support from ARs

Consistency at the breakdown – Off feet & Side entry

Proactive at scrum – no pre-engagement and credible feeds/hooks

Credible lineout gap and focus on both teams at maul

Respect the values of the game

Photo: Lyndon Bray