Water-carrier role under review after Wasps coaches’ ban
And Atkinson are handed one-week suspensions authorities consider rule change to protect officials
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World Rugby intends to launch a clampdown on water carriers abusing their position as the Rugby Football Union banned two Wasps’ coaches for their conduct in a match against Exeter.
The one-week suspensions for Scott Barrow, Wasps’ backs-transition coach, and Pete Atkinson, the club’s performance director, are the first formal punishments handed out by the RFU to water carriers in the elite game. This is just the latest example in a growing trend for players and coaches doubling as water carriers, taking advantage of their pitchside position by getting involved in games or intimidating match officials.
World Rugby has been monitoring developments with concern and it is believed it will instruct its referees to enforce a more stringent approach to water carriers in the autumn internationals. During South Africa’s victory against New Zealand in the Rugby Championship this month, English referee Matthew Carley admonished a Springbok water carrier for haranguing an assistant referee over the award of a 50:22.
However, The Daily Telegraph understands that World Rugby chairman Sir Bill Beaumont believes that the regulations need tightening and the item will be on the agenda at next month’s meeting of the executive committee.
At the start of the Covid-19 pandemic, World Rugby gave teams dispensation to have a third water carrier to help mitigate the risk of infection. That will continue through the November internationals, but is being reviewed.
The greater problem is how the law has not kept up with how the role has evolved to message carriers.
Of particular concern to World Rugby is how the presence of water carriers on the pitch or sidelines is being used to intimidate match officials. Only head coaches are prohibited from being water carriers, but that did not prevent Rassie Erasmus, South Africa’s director of rugby, from running water on to the pitch. As Warren Gatland pointed out during the Lions series, sometimes he often forgot his basic duty.
“The thing is, if you’re the water boy running on to the pitch, you’ve got to make sure that you are carrying water,” Gatland, the Lions head coach, said.
The RFU is also aware of the issue and hopes a strong message has been sent, with Barrow and Atkinson both being charged with conduct prejudicial to the interests of the union and the game.
“The RFU works hard to uphold the values of rugby across all levels of the game in England and collaborates closely with Premiership
Rugby and its clubs, with weekly reviews from matches,” a spokesperson said. “Where activity or conduct of individuals or clubs does not meet these values then action will be taken – either on pitch by the match officials team, or off-pitch via a disciplinary process.”
Barrow has been handed a oneweek suspension after preventing Exeter Chiefs scrum-half Jack Maunder from getting to a loose ball off the field of play. Barrow was then “sent off ” by referee Wayne Barnes.
Barrow back-heeled the ball through his legs towards the stands and then prevented Maunder from reaching it after Exeter had been awarded an attacking penalty, sparking a touchline brawl.
Atkinson received a one-week ban for comments made to Barnes following the awarding of a try to Exeter, and neither will be involved in Wasps match against Saracens.
Both Barrow and Atkinson will be required to “deliver a presentation to the non-playing members of
Wasps staff on the Premiership Regulations (Schedule 2) relating to the operation of technical areas for matches, and also how their own off-field conduct was contrary to the values of the game”, according to the disciplinary panel comprising Mike Hamlin (chair) with Gareth Graham and Mitch Read.
Wasps will head to Saracens on Sunday in mid-table after winning two of their opening four matches.