with South African Referees August 2007 Vol.2 Tappeing into experience... etirement from the international and transparent process that is circuit does not mean feet up and open to scrutiny. Rgazing into the sunset for Tappe Henning, in fact, his latest assignment as ‘Referees are measured against Referee Selector with the IRB probably four categories; law knowledge, means even more travel and rugby fi tness, performance on the fi eld business than before. and ambassadorial qualities. The global spread of the game At 46-years old Tappe is the youngest of combined with the exposure the four IRB Referee Selectors and yet on international television he brings a wealth of experience, having demands that interpersonal, retired from top-class rugby only last year. communication and other And his appointment is due recognition for non-rugby skills are also added the quality of referees produced by South to the measurement mix.’ Africa. Each international game is ‘I cut my teeth as a test referee with viewed by an independent the dawn of the professional era and I selector. A performance report thoroughly understand the pressures and is prepared and forwarded challenges that offi ciating on the world to the IRB. The referee also stage brings,’ says Tappe. is given a copy and has the opportunity to interrogate the The IRB are involved in the appointment selector’s fi ndings. of match officials for all cross-border encounters, with these games then The IRB’s Elite Squad com- subject to the review of the Referee prises 18 referees – three South Selectors. Aside from full-blown tests African – who are all capable of and other international games it handling the most demanding also includes the Super series, NPC, of fixtures. Acting as a feeder Heineken Cup and French league group to the A Panel is the among others. Touch Judge squad. Pic: Gallo Images Never one to shy away from the tough parts of the job and International appointments are made ‘In competitions the best teams end up with 20 tests under his belt Tappe Henning is SA’s third most- twice a year – six months in advance – playing each other in the fi nals, it makes capped referee, behind Andre Watson and Jonathan Kaplan. allowing match offi cials time to thoroughly sense that the best match offi cials are He was appointed to the Provincial Panel in 1993 and refereed the Currie Cup fi nal in 1995 – his fi rst year on that panel. He prepare for the task ahead. The current there to offi ciate, and it’s our job as also offi ciated in the second Super 12 fi nal in 1997. He lists system of appointments started in 1996 selectors to make sure that happens,’ John Eales’ fi nal game for Australia against New Zealand at and has been refi ned to an accountable concludes Tappe. Stadium Australia as one of the many highlights in his career. What’s he Meet the RWC Cup, A KZN thinking top nine Vive le Twist! now? provincial France referees In this issue... 2 4 6 7 in-touch 1 by Andre Watson Chairman’s message Dear referee colleagues Wattie’s The season has progressed quickly and we are past the midway point with the Voda- com Cup and National Week Tournaments completed. wonderings We are now feverishly involved with the Currie Cup and preparations for Rugby World Cup 2007. However, it is also important to refl ect on what SA Referees have nd this desire to maintain con- To me, there is very little more excit- achieved during the last three months: tinuity is changing the shape of ing than when a turnover is achieved • A total of 145 appointments were made for the the game away from Union to and the team that thought they were Vodacom competition, in comparison only 131 a rugby league format. It may on attack suddenly has to scramble to appointments were made by SANZAR for the A Super 14 Competition sound like harsh words but let me tell create defences. you why. • Our IRB referees handled six test matches during And I’m going to lay a lot of the blame this period Rugby is a unique sport. It caters for for the lack of excitement at the door • At the time of writing this note, 14 Currie Cup people of all shapes and sizes and of our referees: the quest for continuity games have already been refereed has attributes that defi ne it as a game has overridden the concept of a fair • 59 referees – mainly from the Contenders Squad – lineouts, scrums, rucks and mauls. contest. The referee is more lenient to – took part in the various national weeks that My wife’s hairdresser once described the team in possession than he is to included the U18 and U13 Craven Weeks, the Under the guise of a maul as ‘a spider-looking formation, the non ball-carrying players. Grant Khomo Week, the U18 Academy Week and where everybody pushes and the ball Four Western Province referees to have offi ciated at test level include: the Special Schools’ Tournament Louis Mzomba, Jenny Bentel, JC Fortuin and Eugene Daniels. professionalism and the never bursts’. In fact, it’s the only ball The answer is simple; when refereeing • 127 referees completed fi tness tests, arranged by sport where everyone battles to go a game, simply apply the same criteria SA Referees need to create fl ow – and forward at speed and then is forced to to both teams at the breakdown. The • In addition, on the administration side, various pass the ball backwards to keep going current tendency to afford the ball-car- supposedly entertaining meetings were held involving the executive, forward! rying team more leeway has made the council, selectors, performance reviewers and the rugby – I am increasingly game boring to watch and the fl ow the Hier kom die transformation sub-committee. Several IRB training There’s no question that modern play- referee is manipulating is not real – it’s courses were conducted and also attended by our concerned that referees ers are highly skilled. They are more artifi cial. staff and referees. athletic, fi tter, stronger and with better By now all are aware of our referees that have been are not only ignoring ball retention abilities. Defensive sys- These sentiments were carried in a appointed to offi ciate in the IRB World Cup and I would BOKKE! like to congratulate each one of them on behalf of the tems are rock solid and play regularly pre-season briefi ng session at all the ethos of the game goes through 8, 9 or 10 phases before national, provincial and regional courses Locally we have a top 12 panel of refereeing community throughout South Africa: referees who handle Super 14, stopping for an infringement. Countless this year and have been re-emphasised Jonathan Kaplan – referee – I hope that all the games contained in the Playing tackles are made, the team moves from recently. Following renewed commit- Currie Cup and Vodacom matches. in which you offi ciate can be seen, and not misted in left to right across the fi eld with very little ment from our top 12 referees I’m Of these 12, only six have handled like the S14 Final Charter but the laws ke every youngster playing test matches and are therefore depth of movement, the game fl ows predicting that we’re going to see a far i Marius Jonker – referee – hopefully the communica- – all very clinical and very BORING. greater contest at the breakdown in rugby, referees also aspire to Springbok referees. Just to give you tion systems work properly in all your games themselves that promote their Springbok colours. an idea of how exclusive this our Currie Cup and, importantly, some L Craig Joubert – touch judge – I hope your dreams are Unfortunately, like for players, the club is, consider this: At the moment a fair contest. What’s happened to the turnover ball? exciting rugby. Watch this space. realised in this tournament road is long and diffi cult and the South Africa has only had 65 test refereeing Springbok colours are not referees in the history of rugby i.e. Mark Lawrence – touch judge – enjoy the tourna- dished out easily. It takes a lot of hard Springbok referees. ment, I know you are going to make a great difference to many work and you have to be the best. WP referees’ dinner hits the jackpot So, it must be made clear that even Tappe Henning – IRB Selector – good luck in your Similar to Springbok players, referees if you make the national panel of top new role. This year’s WP referees’ black-tie dinner – the fi fth event of its kind – broke also only get National colours once 12 – it doesn’t make you a Springbok Best wishes to you from all of us back home. all fundraising records, with almost R95 000 raised for referee development they referee a test match. Let’s referee – as stated, you need to have in the Province! The event – scheduled each year before the home test at draw a comparison: Many players handled a test match. Similarly, even For the rest of our referees, good luck for the rest of Newlands stadium – has become a top feature of the local sporting have played for the Springbok team if you make the Provincial panel in the season. calendar and attracted 260 people to the Kelvin Grove Club. against provincial sides in a match South Africa it doesn’t make you a Referee greetings to all – however they do not become a provincial referee, you need to referee Former Prince of Wings, Carel du Plessis, was the guest speaker and other capped Springbok unless they play in two full provincial sides before that dignitaries included SA Rugby CEO Mveleli Ncula, former Springbok a test match.