Rugby union match officials are responsible for enforcing the rugby union laws of the game during a match and imposing sanctions on individuals who do not follow the rules. "Every match is under the control of match officials who consist of the referee and two touch judges or assistant referees." Further officials can be authorised depending on the level and form of the game.
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History
When the game of rugby union was developed at Rugby school, there were no official rugby referees. It was not until many years later when the game began to spread internationally that an official was included.
Before the creation of rugby referees, the captains from both teams would set the rules down before the game began. The two captains would arbitrate the game together as it went on. Interestingly, this is where the 'advantage' law comes from in rugby union. This was because a team's captain was not likely to complain or stop play if his side actually benefited from the other team's infringement.
In 1892, the International Rugby Board was created as a result of a disputed try that the captains could not agree on whether it had been scored. The rugby laws were changed to require one referee and two touch judges at each game to make the arbitration easier and more consistent.
Since then the match official's job has remained constant. The main change has been in the uniform and since 2000 the use of communication equipment and the television match official has greatly increased.
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Equipment
Compulsory equipment
Rugby Union match officials must use the following equipment:
Other common equipment
Rugby union match officials may use the following equipment:
Positions and responsibilities
Referee
Pre-match
Before the game, a referee must:
- Check the field to ensure it is safe to play on and meets all regulations. This includes checking the flags, posts, lines and pads.
- Check the player's clothing and studs on their boots to ensure they comply with the regulations. A referee may delegate this responsibility to an assistant referee. In some unions, this includes checking mouth guards. The introduction of the law which made mouth guards compulsory for rugby union players has led to a 43 percent drop in dental injuries in New Zealand club rugby.
- Have a discussion with the front row players of both teams to ensure they are aware of how to perform the scrum safely and to outline the referee's calls in this area. Since the inception of this requirement coupled with the Rugby Smart program there has been a dramatic decline in spinal related injuries caused by rugby. In New Zealand alone (the first to try this scheme) there has been a reduction from around four serious spinal injuries per 100 000 players to 0.7 per 100 000 in 2005.
- Organise a toss with the two captains. A coin must be used. The team who wins the toss can choose to kick or choose a direction to play for the first half. If they choose a direction, the other team kicks off.
- Inform touch judges or assistant referees what their duties are.
During the match
The duties of the referee during the game are:
- To be the sole judge of fact and law. The referee must apply fairly all the laws of the game in every match.
- To keep the time.
- To keep the score.
- Give permission for players to leave the playing area.
- Give permission for replacements or substitutes to enter the playing area.
- Give permission for doctors, medically trained persons or their assistants to enter the playing area, as and when permitted by the law.
- Give permission for coaches to enter the field at half time.
- Respond to touch judges or assistant referees signalling with the flag.
- Ensure safety of players by monitoring blood and injuries as well as ensuring mouth guards are worn and clothing maintains compliant with the regulations.
After the match
After the game a referee is required to:
- Communicate score to both teams and to the match organiser. This often includes signing a form with the score on it that is sent to the rugby union in charge of that fixture
- If a player has been sent off or temporarily suspended the referee must give a report to the union in charge of the fixture. (Temporary suspension is commonly not reportable at lower level games.)
Referee's signals
The referee having made a decision is required to indicate the decision by blowing the whistle and signalling. Primary signals relate to what decision is being awarded. For example, whether a scrum or penalty is awarded. Secondary signals relate to why the decision is being awarded. For example, a knock-on (scrum) or a high tackle (penalty). There are also signals for stoppages in time, replacement and scoring to ensure everyone knows what is happening.
Touch judge and assistant referee
Assistant referees are appointed by the union in charge of the fixture. They are either themselves qualified referees or qualified assistant referees. Assistant referees may be asked to help with duties that touch judges cannot. Touch judges are normally supplied by the teams playing, one from each team.
Pre-match
- Before the match an assistant referee may be asked to check the studs and clothing of the players. A touch judge is not permitted to do this.
During the match
During the game touch judges and assistant referees must:
- Stand one on each side of the field except for kicks at goal.
- Indicate when the ball or player carrying the ball is out and what team can throw it in.
- Indicate if the ball has re-entered the playing field illegally.
- Indicate if a kick at goal has been successful. Unsuccessful kicks at goal should not be signalled as they are in Rugby league by waving the flag low towards the ground.
Additional responsibilities of assistant referees:
- Must report foul play to the referee and give an opinion on the sanction for the incident.
- Rule on the scoring of a try if asked.
- Give referee information on any other aspect of the game if asked and using communication gear.
- May be asked to keep score and time. Although responsibility is still with the referee to do this.
- May be asked to control substitutions.
After the match
A touch judge has no responsibilities after a match. The only responsibility an assistant referee has is to complete a written report to send to the referee that is then sent to the union in charge of the game. The report is only required if a player has been sent off or temporarily suspended because of their report on foul play.
Touch judge and assistant referees signals
The touch judges and assistant referees cannot stop play, but can signal the referee to enable them to assist him.
Television match official (TMO)
Often referred to as TMO or video referee, a television match official may be appointed to assist the referee in determining whether points have been scored. A television match official can only rule on exactly what the referee asks them (and in most unions they can only be asked about events in-goal or immediately before entering in-goal). Television match officials are commonly used in first class and international televised games.
In lower level games, where no TMO has been appointed, the referee cannot use video equipment in supporting any decision. (Local or junior matches are often recorded by coaches or parents, these videos cannot be used by the referee in supporting a decision due to the possibility of bias. Such videos may though be acceptable as evidence in any post-match discipline hearing.)
Substitution controller
At higher levels of rugby, some games have appointed substitution controllers (sometimes called the fourth official). These officials liaise with the teams and ensure they only use their permitted number of substitutions. They also indicate to the referee when a substitute is ready to come on. They often use signs with the number of the player coming off and the player going on the field. This means it is one less thing for the referee to worry about. The substitution controller is also usually the reserve assistant referee. This means that if a referee is injured, one of the assistant referees will take over and the substitution controller will become an assistant referee. If an assistant referee is injured the substitution controller will take the place of the assistant referee.
Timekeeper
A timekeeper may also be appointed to indicate to the referee when they believe a half should end. Ultimately, it is up to the referee to decide.
In-goal judge
In-goal judges are used in the seven-a-side variation of rugby union to assist the referee in awarding a try and signalling kicks at goal instead of the assistant referees.
Referee assaults
Assaults on rugby referees are being reported more and more in the media. One study found that around six percent of United Kingdom referees surveyed had been physically assaulted. A further examination of the study found that rugby union referees' fear of being assaulted was a significant factor for increased stress. The same study found that rugby referees were most concerned about being assaulted by a spectator or coach. A study by Rainey and Hardy found that it was in fact players who committed assaults on referees the most, contributing to seventy-nine percent of all assaults on referees.
As a reaction to this rugby unions have begun handing out long bans and large fines to individuals who physically assault a referee and more recently verbal assault of referees has also received severe punishments. Now the common punishment for a player punching a referee or anything similar is a lifetime ban. The laws of the game have also been changed to help this by making it compulsory for any official to report any abuse on them or another official to the union in charge of the fixture.
Appointments
Appointments of officials to games are usually done by the Union in charge of the fixture. The appointment of referees to international games comes from the IRB International Referees Panel. This ensures that the best officials are adjudicating international matches. Other major competitions such as Super Rugby, Heineken Cup and age group world cups use a similar system.
Source of the article : Wikipedia
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