RWC officials announced

[shebeen]

Rugby World Cup: Match officials named for the tournament in France

Wayne Barnes, who will appear in his fifth Rugby World Cup, heads the list of referees who will officiate at the upcoming global tournament in France.

www.planetrugby.com

Well done to those selected. May they stay out of the headlines, but this tournament is lining up to be one of cards, cards and more cards so it is unlikely.

 

[Volun-selected]

Rugby World Cup: Match officials named for the tournament in France

Wayne Barnes, who will appear in his fifth Rugby World Cup, heads the list of referees who will officiate at the upcoming global tournament in France.

www.planetrugby.com

Well done to those selected. May they stay out of the headlines, but this tournament is lining up to be one of cards, cards and more cards so it is unlikely.

Given the fine margins top players push up to in an attempt to gain an edge in dominant tackles, a “game ruining red” is almost inevitable - and almost certainly avoidable. (Just thinking of several TMO replays over the past few years where a change in the point of impact by an inch would have been material.)

I would hope/expect a lot of pre-work by all the officials ahead of time to agree common application and that to be communicated to teams well ahead of time.

And if so, maybe they should also include the various pundits and commentators in that loop too - or at least send them a link to a copy of the current laws of the game…

 

[didds]

expect a lot of pre-work by all the officials ahead of time to agree common application and that to be communicated to teams well ahead of time.

And if so, maybe they should also include the various pundits and commentators in that loop too - or at least send them a link to a copy of the current laws of the game…

Id suggest with a few notable exceptions, they arent generally interested. seeking controversy and making the coverage "edgy" is their remit.

 

[Phil E]

Given the fine margins top players push up to in an attempt to gain an edge in dominant tackles, a “game ruining red” is almost inevitable - and almost certainly avoidable. (Just thinking of several TMO replays over the past few years where a change in the point of impact by an inch would have been material.)

I would hope/expect a lot of pre-work by all the officials ahead of time to agree common application and that to be communicated to teams well ahead of time.

And if so, maybe they should also include the various pundits and commentators in that loop too - or at least send them a link to a copy of the current laws of the game…

If you play on the edge you risk getting burned.
The responsibility lies soly with the players.

 

[crossref]

If you play on the edge you risk getting burned.
The responsibility lies soly with the players.

But equally if WR light a large and unconstrained fire, then some innocent Freddies are going to get accidentally burned

 

[Phil E]

But equally if WR light a large and unconstrained fire, then some innocent Freddies are going to get accidentally burned

Not if you tackle legally and don't push the boundaries.

 

[didds]

the point about the freddies though is surely that FS wasnt tackling. He was "not tackling" but didnt get out of the way.

in a similar way to the finn russel / dan biggar "tackle in the air" scenario.

In neither scenario was anybody "pushing boundaries"

 

[crossref]

Not if you tackle legally and don't push the boundaries.

some research I saw on twitter --

Of the 31 published disciplinary decisions* for bans under Law 9.13 (dangerous tackling) this season: - only one where the offending has been assessed as intentional.

* URC (8), Champions / Challenge Cups (12), Premiership (11).

so the other 30 players had no intention to commit foul play (they were no doubt reckless)

I guess they were all pushing the boundaries, but it's a stark illustration of how different a modern RC is (pushing a boundary) from an old-fashioned one (decking someone)

source

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1656640635007279106