Getting It White

with South African Referees August 2008 Getting it WHITE While the ground-breaking white card system made a big impression in the inaugural FNB Varsity Cup earlier this year, it enjoyed further success when it was tested at the annual U18 Coca Cola Craven Week in Pretoria. he Varsity Cup emphasised to do with the IRB. We will now motivate entertainment and it was tournament the use of white cards to the IRB and then Tdirector, Duitser Bosman, and there’s a long process before it can be used former Springbok Toks Van Der Linde, who at higher levels.’ approached SARU Referees Manager André Watson about the idea of the white card. During Craven Week, captains no longer Andre bought into the concept and soon referred incidents to the referee but to their initiated the white card trial. coaches. The coaches then alerted the TMO who in turn notified the referee to This challenge system is aimed at taking call a time-out at the next stoppage. Each human error out the game and will go a long team got one white card referral, two per way to help referees get it right. Andre is match. The entire conversation between optimistic about its future. ‘The white card the coach, TMO, and the referee was on air system simply helps referees get the call for all viewers to follow. These adjustments right and I think it’s a brilliant concept. I was certainly increased the fluidity of the system impressed by the way it was used by UCT and added a bit of excitement to the in the final of the Varsity Cup. I believe it can schoolboy showpiece. of play that began after the previous phase still be improved, but as a trial run it went – which includes tackles, rucks, mauls, very well,’ he said. Most of the criticism levelled at the white scrums, lineouts and free or penalty kicks. card has been that referrals slow the game After some fine-tuning, the white card down; that there’s confusion over how far I also don’t have a problem with coaches system was further tested during this year’s back in a passage of play the TMO can go; telling their captains when to use a white Craven Week but it will be a long process and that players can be told by coaches card. Coaches send indirect messages to before it’s implemented at provincial or test watching in the stands when to challenge a players on the field anyway,’ he concluded. level. ‘White cards cannot be used in any call. Andre, however, is unconcerned. provincial or international tournaments until While the white card has proven to be they’ve been approved by the IRB. ‘Referees want to get the calls right. We’d a popular advance after ‘stand-out’ rather make two referrals a game and make performances in the Varsity Cup and Craven The trial in the Varsity Cup and Craven the correct decisions,’ he said. ‘The TMO Week, time will tell if this innovative system Week was a SARU initiative and had nothing is also only allowed to look at the passage will have a place on the bigger stage. EM When Test Eugenia ELVs is it Rugby makes going whinge- gets a rugby forward ing? New Pro history In this issue... 2 4 7 8 in-touch 1 Intouch Vol 5.indd 1 2012/02/21 4:22 PM by Andre Watson SA Referees in touch Chairman’s messaGE To experiment with Nashua Mobile or not t appears as if the lack of transport and debate over the WHEN DOES CONSTRUCTIVE telephone contact has often I introduction of the Experimental Law A hampered the development of Variations (albeit in a promising young referees; no longer, varied form) continues on the international CRITICISM JUST BECOME thanks to the support of the Nashua stage but, suffice to say, that for the next Mobile Future Stars programme. year they WILL be in force in all South African competitions from school level onwards. Discussions between Nick Ayre – of Nashua Mobile’s Future Stars I must don my hat and commend all referees programme – and André Watson, and players who have been willing to make highlighted the difficulties emerging the adaptation from old laws to full ELVs and WHINGEING? back now to partial ELVs. I think this flexibility referees have staying in contact, as and willingness to cooperate for a greater many don’t have easy access to a cause says a lot about the South African Watties phone. psyche – we are a nation of people who just get on with the task at hand! wonderings ‘Since Nashua Mobile is an Following on from the ELV experimentation independent telecommunications is the introduction of the white card and the I am wondering, yes, I am wondering about what rugby folk really want. service provider for all the cellular expanded role for the TMO. Obviously these networks, we saw an opportunity to two innovations can only be trialled in games help out. We also recognise that the game needy young referees. The vouchers will that are televised but the introduction of the Allow me to explain... white card at the inaugural Varsity Cup was is only as good as the decisions made by also be renewed monthly to ensure that the a success. or years we’ve heard suggestions phase scrum engagement call – crouch, is clear; the vast majority love the changes. the referees and so we decided to play a referees stay connected. or criticism that we (the referees) do touch, pause, engage – was met with A final wondering: why is it that we only part in the development of young referees,’ The expanded role of the TMO is another not make enough use of available great scepticism, with loud derisions and hear the voices of doom prophets at the Nick explains. ‘Building and supporting young referees attempt to try and ensure the ref’s role on F the game is one of facilitator and not game technology. We’ve heard on TV, read in with immense criticism. The resistance to beginning and not at the end? is as vital as bringing through the ample decider. We all want to get the decisions the media and from high profile ex-players change was huge. Nashua Mobile contributed six cellphones youth-playing talent. Hopefully this is 100% correct and this is another step on that we should make use of technology to Some questions for you to together with prepaid starter packs and the start of a great relationship between that journey. Sure the current process may get the calls right. The overriding comment We are now in the second season of this airtime vouchers to the South African Nashua Mobile and South African Referees,’ have some wrinkles that need to be worked was: ‘The stakes are too high to ignore sequence and one hardly hears a word ponder: Referees’ Association to be distributed to concludes Nick. EM out, but it is better to have the courage to try and do things differently than stay in the technology, you guys must use it.’ And of negativity around this matter. Now I’m same rut and not improve the game. Just that’s what we’ve done. wondering: were they wrong or us? And if • Why are SA rugby folk so resistant contemplate, if the Wright brothers did not we are expected to apologise publicly when to change? For up to the minute information on referee topics visit… experiment with their flying machine, it is This year, we introduced the white card referees make errors, shouldn’t the experts possible that we would still be travelling by boat! during the Varsity Cup final. A concept have to do the same when they’re wrong? • Why is the loudest criticism in where the team is allowed to query a vital rugby mainly based on opinion or www.sareferees.co.za Congratulations to Pro Legoete and Eugenia decision. This happened, and I personally This year the ELVs were introduced to SA Daniels on becoming the newest Test thought it was a great success. Interestingly, and S14. Now the whole world is playing emotion, not facts? referees. I’m sure we are going to see long a similar system was used at Wimbledon the ELV’s. There was immense and serious and rewarding international careers from these two referees. this year with great success. criticism expressed by all and sundry • What is it that rugby folk really regarding the laws. want? Just as we experience joy at success so we We also accepted the IRB’s request for must sympathise with two referees who’ve SA to experiment with extending the TMO Questions were asked – ‘Why change had a run of bad luck recently: Willie Roos’s • Will referees ever be simply protocol. At the time of writing we’ve had the laws, there is nothing wrong with the broken ankle closely followed by Mark regarded as a cog in the rugby Lawrence’s vehicle accident, both came at six weeks of this trial but I will be the first game?’ – by the same people who for a time when they were to perform on the to acknowledge that it hasn’t been plain years had been asking for the laws to be machinery, and not a spoke in the world stage. Our best wishes for speedy sailing. But, the concept has potential and is simplified! These critics have maintained wheel? recuperation to both these fine young worth pursuing. there are too many laws, they are too referees.

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