Refs must put heads together...
FRANCE 2023 runs the risk of being remembered for refereeing as much as rugby, after a dubious first 10 days.
Balancing the clampdown on head impacts with the game’s essential contact element has proved to be a dizzying business for the officials.
After England’s Tom Curry was sent off for a head-on-head collision versus Argentina last week, more disputable bunker reviews have followed.
New Zealand’s Ethan de Groot got a red for a high tackle against Namibia, though France’s Romain Taofifenua escaped with a yellow for an almost identical incident against Uruguay.
But injured England wing Anthony Watson is sure the inconsistencies over what constitutes a red card will be ironed out during the tournament.
“It’s a tough balance to hit and that’s why we are seeing so many grey-area calls at the moment,” he said. “I personally felt the Tom Curry red card was a rugby incident, and it shouldn’t have been a red.
“We have to find a better balance in the understanding of mitigating circumstances. There are certain circumstances where these sorts of things are unpreventable.
“I hope it doesn’t become a World Cup defined by refereeing decisions. That would be a real shame, because there are so many quality players and teams on show.
“I don’t think it will. I think there will be more consistency found as the tournament progresses. Referees get together between rounds and discuss these things.”
Concussion is rugby’s hot potato and despite the problems that extra scrutiny on it has brought, Watson feels the game is right to try to tackle it, given the long-term dangers.
“I’ve had concussions. Do I worry about it? Yes. Seeing the stuff about ex-england star Steve Thompson’s diagnosis of early onset dementia is scary,” he said.
“It doesn’t change my approach, but you have to be honest with yourself if you do get a concussion about coming back too early.”
Watson backs UK Coaching’s Duty to Care campaign, which asks coaches to put safety and wellbeing first. He added: “What UK Coaching are doing by providing this resource is so important.”
For more about UK Coaching’s Duty to Care Hub, visit www.ukcoaching.org/duty-to-care