Dave Sherwin
Referees in the Cayman Islands
- Joined
- Sep 9, 2012
- Messages
- 283
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- 52
This is one I have been thinking about for nearly 18 months. In the 2013 NACRA final, USA had a five metre attacking scrum roughly half-way between the right-hand upright and the right-hand 15 metre-line (for all purposes, I am imagining that we are viewing things from behind the USA team). The put-in, clearly, was to the left of the scrum and I positioned myself in the vicinity of the scrum-halves. Once the put-in was complete, I took my usual 45-degree line back and to MY right, ending up roughly in line with the back foot of the scrum and at sufficient distance (given my 5'8" stature) to view the Trinidad and Tobago blindside flanker's bind over the top of the scrum. USA get their tighthead up a foot or so, No.8 picks and goes blind. Not wanting to be unsighted in the event of a tackle made my the T+T blindside flanker or 8, I don't feel I can go round the back (T+T side) of the scrum, so in the end follow the 8 round the back (USA side) of the scrum. No 8's carry is strong, T+T 6 and 8 fall off him/ are carried with him and he crashes over to score. No doubt about the try and I can give it without difficulty. However, in post-match analysis with the (then) IRB ref coach, it was suggested (correctly in my mind) that chasing the 8 over the line was hardly ideal. I've tried all sorts of other positions whenever this scenario has subsequently arisen (obviously it doesn't crop up in every game) and never quite got happy with any of them. Any suggestions?