Referees to take intent into account

Steve Hansen and Wallabies rival Michael Cheika will probably be pleased at a New Zealand referees’ directive to consider “context” — read intent — when ruling on foul play at Mitre 10 Cup level and below.

They will hope it proves a success and continues into Super and test rugby after June series riven by controversy for both nations.

Hansen was unhappy with several rulings by the match officials during his team’s three tests against France and the same went for Cheika after his side lost their series to Ireland.

New Zealand Rugby head of referees Bryce Lawrence said yesterday that player safety remained paramount and deliberately dangerous acts would be dealt with accordingly, but that the national union had accepted some decisions during the June series had angered teams and supporters, and that a better way was possible.

“There has been much debate internationally about the application of the laws regarding foul play,” said Lawrence.

“At a time when rugby around the world is continually seeking to improve the game without compromising player safety, we support the laws to ensure clear messaging and consistency by match officials.

“Clearly in the June test window, some decision making has irked some fans and teams who feel that more rugby context should be considered in this decision-making.

“We are taking advantage of our own national provincial competitions to introduce an interpretation that maintains player safety as a priority, but allows the intent of the ‘action’ and ‘context of the game’ to determine the sanctions for any foul play. We want referees to bring some more rugby feel to how they rule foul play.”

There would be no change in rulings on lifting tackles — something Waisake Naholo got away with during the All Blacks’ 38-13 victory over the Wallabies on Saturday — high tackles, deliberate knock-ons, dangerous clean-outs, challenges in the air where there is not a fair contest, cynical play, or repeat individual or team offending.

The interpretations in terms of foul play guidelines for Mitre 10 Cup, Farah Palmer Cup, Mitre 10 Heartland Championship and Jock Hobbs under-19 level would cover:

If the action was deliberate and dangerous and with force — red card.

If the action was reckless but still dangerous but with limited or mild force — yellow card.

If the action was unintentional and low level — penalty only.

“By asking referees to understand the game context, the player’s action and the intent, not solely on ‘process’, we hope we can achieve better results for players, coaches and fans in 2018,” Lawrence said.

Another change will come in terms of awarding a try or ruling on foul play, where the referee will “own” the decision, rather than the television match official. All of which Hansen and Cheika would probably agree on. Former international Margaret Forsyth won’t coach the Waikato-Bay of Plenty Magic in next year’s ANZ Premiership after parting company with the netball franchise.

Forsyth, who led the Magic during the first two years of the national league, said she was notified the board would be investigating other coaching options and decided not to reapply for the position.

“My vision and values, I think, are different to the board’s and the direction they were heading,” Forsyth told Radio Sport.

“I wasn’t sure of the direction of the board and had very little engagement with the board throughout the year other than the letter saying they were going to go to market.”

Fellow former Silver Fern Amigene Metcalfe has been named the side’s new head coach after serving as their high performance coordinator and, more recently, assistant coach during the Premiership.

Under Forsyth, the Magic have struggled on the national stage with just a 40 per cent win rate from two seasons. Having been among the powerhouses of the competition, the Magic finished fifth this season — the lowest placing in their 11-year history — with only five wins from 15 games.

Forsyth, however, backed her coaching and said she had a threeyear plan for the young team that she felt the franchise didn’t recognise.

“My vision for the team is it’s about growing a young team. I picked up the reins two years ago and didn’t have much choice other than grow a young team and in my mind success doesn’t happen overnight,” she said.

“Success is certainly about results, but success and winning are about personal awareness and personal development . . . those were the things important to me as a coach.”

Magic chief executive Rohan West thanked Forsyth for her work in roles which included performance manager, assistant and head coach.

“She is a legend of the game,” West said. “We want to thank Margaret for her commitment, passion and knowledge she has brought to the zone.” Margaret Forsyth