Well, RWC is over and we’re now back to the business of proper rugby (shall we say!)

I hope the RFU realise the importance of refereeing to the game as they evaluate the Cup. We have shown how we can (and are) world leaders in this area and we must not step backwards from that. I wonder whether we will see an increase in investment in the refereeing world. I seem to remember all the football refs went pro a few years ago. An interesting thought for the annuls of HQ.

 I will be getting back to the fundamentals of why I started this outlet. Me, my games, my development, with the odd comment and discussion (hopefully) around our great sport and our role in it.

Feel free to pass the link on to your refs societies. If you think others may benefit, then pass the word round.

Be back soon with some thoughts on my start to the season.

Commiserations to all my English chums.  

For what it’s worth (not a lot many of you will think) but my gut reaction was that is wasn’t a try (first viewing) and the long range down the line shot was clear that his toe hit the line before coming up and the ball went down.

Love the way that everyone is calling is a disallowed try. Can you disallow something not given? erm… No!

Will be back later – when Ive won my own grand prix and watched Lewis attempt to win his! 

Not entirely a shock but news from the RFU today:

Spreadbury retires from international game

Tony Spreadbury photo by Getty Images October 18, 2007IRB Elite Referee panel member Tony Spreadbury has today announced his retirement from the test refereeing arena. The Englishman, who took charge of the opening match of Rugby World Cup 2007 between France and Argentina, will continue to officiate at domestic level. Spreadbury, who is one of the game’s larger than life characters, has enjoyed an illustrious career. Since his international debut in 1990 the Englishman has presided over 41 senior test matches with his final appearance with the whistle coming in Montpellier when he took charge of the RWC 2007 Pool A match between South Africa and USA on September 30.

“Tony is one of the game’s unique personalities and his leadership, enthusiasm and commitment to the cause has been a huge inspiration to the next generation of referees coming through the system,” said IRB Referee Manager Paddy O’Brien.”As someone who has always commanded respect from his peers with his professional approach to the role, Tony’s retirement will leave a big hole in the IRB Elite Panel in terms of experience and presence. I know that I speak on behalf of all the elite match officials at Rugby World Cup and the IRB when I thank him for his excellent service,” added O’Brien. RFU Elite Rugby Director Rob Andrew paid tribute to a referee whose consistency, durability and good humour made him a popular figure amongst the international refereeing fraternity. “Tony has been one of the leading international referees for the best part of two decades and his retirement is indeed a big loss to the game. He always brought his own inimitable style to refereeing at the top level and his professionalism, dedication and performances have been a great credit to the RFU and the Elite Referees Unit. We look forward to seeing him returning to domestic service after the completion of Rugby World Cup.” Spreadbury said that the time was right to bow of the international arena after a career than has spanned 17 years and two Rugby World Cups. “I have enjoyed a wonderful time refereeing at elite level and have made many friends along the way. However after nearly two decades at the top of the game the time is right for me to step aside and let the talented young referees both in England and on the IRB Elite Panel take up the mantle. I would like to thank all those who have supported me along the way, including my family, colleagues, the RFU and the IRB.” “It will be strange departing the international scene, but I regard this as the end of the chapter and not the book. I still have a passion for the whistle and will continue to officiate at domestic level and am looking forward to returning to Premiership action following the completion of RWC,” added Spreadbury. Colin High, the RFU Elite Referees Manager, also underlined the unique contribution of the 45-year-old from Bath. “Tony has been an outstanding ambassador for refereeing, of the game and for the RFU throughout his distinguished international career,” said High. “Spreaders enjoys refereeing more than anyone I’ve ever met. His enthusiasm, ability to communicate with players and his unrivalled knowledge built up over 30 years have helped him take charge of the biggest games in world rugby. “We’re looking forward to getting him back in action in the Guinness Premiership and beyond that I’m sure his vast experience will be of great benefit to elite refereeing in this country in the future. One thing’s certain, though. There’ll never be another one like him!”

I seem to be getting more and more hits here so for those of you just checking in for the first time – welcome.

As you can see from my posts, Im still getting the hang of it. Im trying to use this as an avenue to get things off my chest, but in a controlled way. You won’t find me criticising fellow refs here, or the players involved in my games. I’ll leave that to other sites.

Hopefully, you’ll find some useful things here, so do keep coming back. Let me know if there is anything you would like me to be doing here.

Feel free to pass the link from your own referees society pages. In due course, I’ll create a links page for refs societies. Leave me the relevant links as a comment and I’ll get there in the end.

As for this weekend, Im off to the south Midlands to run touch. Should be good. Been a while since Ive officiated where Im going and much has changed. Despite my gallic background, I am hoping to make it back to the south coast in time for Mr Rolland to blast the RWC Final off. I do hope he doesn’t become the story.

To you all out there – happy whistling!

Well, I’m back up north again on Saturday, I’m definitely clocking up the airmiles. Can’t be many refs on the panel who fly to the majority of their games!?! 540 mile round trip is best done in the air!

Ive had two formal reports so far this year. The first was good, apart from some scrum issues which no one was really sure how to solve. The second I’m still waiting for. The assessor and I discussed some issues in his draft and am waiting for the final version.

Without going to details, I’ve got some points I need to prove this weekend. Need a kick-ass performance.

Fingers crossed for 2 positive sides, an overcast day and a safe and clear journey.

Downside of flying up north is that I have to get the train back (no planes out of Yorkshire on a Sat eve) so will be missing the French win, but will try and get GNER wifi to work and follow it via the BBC web site.

Happy Whistling!

Quite right too:

 IRB statement on referees

(Rugby News Service) Tuesday 9 October 2007

PARIS, 9 October – The International Rugby Board (IRB) is responsible for the appointment of all match officials for matches between international countries, including matches for IRB Rugby World Cup 2007.

The IRB believes the standard of refereeing is the highest it has ever been at a Rugby World Cup tournament. The criticism of referee Wayne Barnes following the France versus New Zealand quarter-final match on Saturday, 6 October is completely unwarranted.

All the referees for the knockout stages earned their appointments following outstanding performances in the pool stages. The selection process employed for the tournament is the one used for all international match appointments and consists of individual referee assessments, feedback from coaches and review by the IRB match official selection committee.

Match officials are under immense pressure during major matches and it has to be recognised that at times certain incidents are missed. Match officials have to make decisions instantly and do not have the luxury of replays which are available to spectators and the media.

The IRB stands behind the match official selection process, the referees and its Referee Manager Paddy O’Brien one hundred percent.

RNS dk/kb

Death threats outrage refs chief

The International Rugby Board has defended referee Wayne Barnes after he received death threats in the wake of New Zealand’s surprise World Cup exit.Barnes sent Luke McAlister to the sin-bin and missed a forward pass in the lead-up to France’s match-winning try as the All Blacks lost 20-18.

He has been subjected to personal abuse and death threats on internet sites.

“I think it’s a disgrace and people have to grow up,” IRB referees manager Paddy O’Brien told BBC Radio 5live.

“New Zealand losing that game was not all about the forward pass. The pass was forward but that’s rugby refereeing.

“Hindsight is a wonderful thing but you can’t turn back the clock.

“I’m a very proud Kiwi and I wear my heart on my sleeve when the All Blacks are playing, but it doesn’t change my judgement.

“Sport is about winning and losing and New Zealand lost, let’s get on with life.

“It’s a sad reflection and I’d like to say that it’s not all New Zealand people.”

The 28-year-old Barnes will not take any further part in the tournament after the IRB decided not to use him for any of the remaining matches.

“He is a superb referee, we have a lot of confidence in him,” O’Brien said.

“That’s why we gave him the quarter-final. He’s an outstanding individual as a person and it makes me sick to the stomach to hear some of the comments about him.”

O’Brien insisted that Barnes was still a big part of the IRB’s future plans.

“I’ve spoken to Wayne personally to congratulate him on a very fine performance,” he said.

“We spoke about the forward pass but at the end of the day he can’t guess.

“It’s a game played by humans and refereed by humans. We try to get it accurate if we can and WB is the brightest star we have on our books.”

Source: BBC Sport

Looking around last night, I was amazed by what I found. Having been in Cardiff on Saturday, I thought (albeit with a slight bias) that Barnesy had a good game. Very difficult last half hour to manage but superbly done. I do think the broadcasters have let him down a little.

In the yellow card moment, the broadcasters did not show what he said to McCaw. I only heard it underlying the commentary in my ear from the reflink system they have in use.  Was clear that the YC could have come for the previous maul drop (French maul went 25m before being collapsed) but the second cynical tatcic by McCallister took him out. Seems perfectly good call to me (from the other end of the Stadium).

How many of us could handle all the sh1t that Barnesy has had in the last few days! Not sure I would have, and its part of my day job!

Rolland to referee final

(Rugby News Service) Monday 8 October 2007

Final say: Irish referee Alain Rolland

PARIS, 8 October – Irishman Alain Rolland will referee the IRB  Rugby World Cup final at Stade de France in Saint-Denis on Saturday, 20 October.

The officials for the two semi-finals next weekend have also been announced.

South Africa’s Jonathan Kaplan will take charge of Saturday’s semi-final between France and England while Steve Walsh of New Zealand will referee Sunday’s second last-four matchup between South Africa and Argentina.

The referee for the third-place match on Friday, 19 October, will be Paul Honiss of New Zealand.

England v France (semi-final – 13 October)

Ref: Jonathan  Kaplan (RSA)
TJ: Paul Honiss (NZL)
TJ: Marius Jonker (RSA)
4: Nigel Owen (WAL)
5: Alain Rolland (IRE)
TMO: Stuart Dickinson (AUS)

South Africa v Argentina (semi-final – 14 October)

Ref: Steve Walsh (NZL)
TJ: Alan Lewis (IRE)
TJ: Chris White (ENG)
4: Joel Jutge (FRA)
5: Wayne Barnes (ENG)
TMO: Tony Spreadbury (ENG)

Bronze medal match

Ref: Paul Honiss (NZL)
Other officials tba

Thoughts?

I see the IRB have announced the refs for this years 7s circuit. Now seen as the breeding ground for the future Panel’s who do you reckon will come through from this lot?

The IRB has announced the referees appointed to its eight tournaments in 2007-08. They include referees from Romania and Fiji.

The referees are: James Jones (Wales), Neil Paterson (Scotland), Andrew Small (England), Simon McDowell (Ireland), David Keane (Ireland), Horatiu Borgaunas (Romania), Carlo Damasco (Italy), Jean-Luc Rebollal (France), Eric Gauzins (France), Pro Legoete (South Africa), Jaco Peyper (South Africa), James Bolabiu (Fiji), Ian Smith (Australia), Julian Pritchard (Australia), Garratt Williamson (New Zealand)

There will also be local nominees for individual tournaments.

Naturally, I have removed myself from contention at this stage….. 😉

‘Tis not a good day to be Welsh……