Refs will be all over ‘safety, speed and space’
REFEREES will focus on three main things in France to encourage exciting, attacking rugby and keep players out of harm’s way: Safety, speed and space. Here’s what to look out for in the whistleblowers’ world during the World Cup.
THE ‘VAR’ BUNKER
Acts of foul play that are at least worthy of a yellow card can now be referred to the Bunker by the referee, usually after consultation with the TMO — a bit like VAR in football. Two officials based at Roland Garros — not Stockley Park — will then have up to eight minutes to decide whether it should be upgraded to a red card. We’ve seen it in action this summer when the yellow cards shown to Owen Farrell and Billy Vunipola were turned red by the Bunker for their dangerous high tackles.
In the Bunker, the officials will have time to look at all the angles. This should ensure the decisions are much more accurate. The Bunker can upgrade yellow cards to reds but not the other way around.
To ensure there is a consistent approach when dealing with foul play, unless it’s something like a clear punch, the referee will show a yellow card, cross his arms and send the incident to the Bunker for review.
You might hear commentators or pundits complain that they can’t understand why a red card wasn’t given by the referee, but this is not referees shirking responsibility. They just want to be consistent with the process.
When Farrell’s red card was overturned by the disciplinary panel, some suggested it undermined the
Bunker system, but I disagree. What happened on the field and in the Bunker is exactly what should have happened. If a player is sent off, we shouldn’t be looking for loopholes for why they shouldn’t have been shown a red card.
World Rugby were right to get involved. We got to the right outcome, it was just farcical how we got there.
HOT ON HIGH TACKLES
Referees are not looking to dish out red cards for high tackles, but they will not go soft. If there is contact to the head with a high degree of danger and no mitigation, and the referee and the Bunker deem it to be clear foul play, it will be a sending off. If the tackler’s technique is good enough, and there’s no contact to the head, there’s no reason for the referee to get involved.
TOUGH AT BREAKDOWN
Officials will be ruthless on the tackler not rolling away. Is there a clear release of the ball carrier?
They will also be ruthless on the jackler, the first team-mate of the tackler to arrive at the breakdown to try to win the ball. Is he on his feet and supporting his body weight? Is there a clear attempt to lift the ball and take it off the ball carrier?
Referees will also be tough on offsides too.