inwith South African-t Referees uchDecember 2008 ELVs – where to from here? With the global Experimental While statistics are not the sole judge of fact, these (see table) are interesting Law Variations (ELVs) firmly numbers.Perhaps what should be in place until the end of of greater concern is the two issues of consistency and a fair contest for July 2009 and the SANZAR possession? In fact, these were the two primary matters raised at the annual IRB countries continuing to trial High Performance Referee Conference at a hybrid version in the Super Lensbury Club in early November. 14 and Tri-Nations series, it At this conference, referees and managers were reminded of their obligation to certainly looks as if we better operate a zero tolerance policy towards get used to them for the illegal entry, hands in the ruck, sealing off the ball, illegal clearing out and illegal foreseeable future. According to Paddy O’Brien, this is not a scrum feeds. hugely material difference. He adds that ocally, most referees, players and contrary to public perception there is Going into the 2009 season, for the spectators would agree that the in fact less kicking under the ELVs than majority of South African referees, it will L trial has been a bit of a nightmare. previously. He cites the 2007 Rugby World be business as usual. Now that we have This year South Africans have played Cup where an average of 87 kicks took a handle on the ELVs, we need to focus under five different sets of laws and, at place in the semi’s and final whereas in more on consistency and ensuring a fair times, the games have looked like neither top-class rugby at the moment there is an contest. Hopefully we can put the ELV the players nor the referee is 100% sure average of 51 or 52 kicks in a game. bogey to rest. what’s going on! COMPETITION 2007 2008 Next year should be better as the northern hemispheres are now playing the global Super 14 ELVs – last year when they toured to SA Total points in 91 games (average) 4,001 (43.97) 4,000 (43.96) they were under the so-called Old Laws. In Number of tries 426 (4.68) 483 (5.31) addition, the primary differences between the SANZAR version and the Global Laws Tri-Nations are around the penalty and free kick. Total points in six matches (average) 242 (40.33) 386 (42.89) In the Super 14, players are more often Number of tries 19 (3.17) 43 (4.78) likely to see short-arm punishments for Currie Cup (’08 stats not all in) technical infringements over their northern Total points – ’07 56 games / ’08 48 games 3,086 (55.11) 2518 (52.46) hemisphere compatriots who will see a full Number of tries 387 (6.91) 310 (6.46) arm penalty. How Kaplan The sky’s Neville do we sets the limit joins the measure world for Jason Boks! success? record In this issue... 2 3 5 11 in-touch 1 Intouch Vol 6.indd 1 2012/02/21 4:23 PM by André Watson Kaplan reaches Chairman’S MESSAGE believe 2008 has been an outstanding year for South I African referees, not only REFEREE STARDOM have many achieved individual milestones but as an Association When 42-year old Jonathan Kaplan – SA’s top referee – blew we have made progress on a How do we number of important fronts. the whistle for kick-off in the test between France and Argentina On the international scene we on 8 November he established a new world record for the have had more than 20 people appear in some official capacity in either IRB or CAR number of first-class games blown by an individual referee. events. Included in this, we have four referees on the IRB’s Referees Panel – over 20% of the total from one measure country! Special mention to Jonathan Kaplan on setting a world record for tests blown. International success can only be achieved if programmes at home are functioning well. And I’m pleased to report the various sub-committees have success? done sterling work. My sincere appreciation to them all for the long hours they contribute. The domestic season is now over after a cracker of a Currie Cup The selection committee will shortly be making their Watties final. Hats off to Jonathan, Joey and JC Fortuin on their handling recommendations for the 2009 panels and this is an exciting time for many as they wait to see if their wonderings of the almost-replay of the 2007 Super14 final. efforts of the current season have been fruitful. There are bound to be some disappointments too and I urge anyone who so feels to follow Mark Lawrence’s example: he suffered severe disappointment at being ven though things don’t really also focuses on trying to change flood of emails and other communication dropped from the IRB Panels, but what did he do? slow down much in the referees’ perceptions of, and attitudes towards, from disappointed societies and He set out to prove to all that he deserved a place on department, the end of the year is referees. And I wonder why has this need individuals. Yet, these are often the the IRB Panels, renewed his efforts to lift the standard E of his game and was rightly re-appointed to full always a good time to sit back and reflect come about? Why are so many attitudes self-same societies that are pleased as international status. There’s a perfect example of how on what happened during the season. towards referees negative? Shouldn’t punch with the system when they do to deal with disappointment. people be able to see that referees are have good representation on the panels! A feature of the 2008 season was the introduction How do we know if we were just humans like themselves; with feelings, I can guarantee everyone; we will appoint of the ELVs. Undoubtedly this was cause for much successful? emotions, kids, mortgages and all the the very best referees to the respective confusion among referees, players and spectators One measure of success, I think, is the other things that make life normal? Who panels, there is no value – either for the and it looks as if we will again experience at least number of officials we have on the started these negative attitudes; do individual concerned or the game of rugby two variations in the coming season between SANZAR rugby and our domestic game. A landmark international panels and we are certainly losing teams always blame the referee, – in having people in positions they do not achievement was the publication of the Laws in well represented. There are four referees are coaches so one-eyed that they have deserve or cannot do justice to. Isixhosa. Many thanks to Thuso Mngqibisa for his on the IRB A Panel – Jonathan Kaplan, to make the ref the scapegoat for poor tireless efforts on this project. Mark Lawrence, Craig Joubert and Marius team performance? Or, do we have to My final thought is directed at referees One of the primary reasons for the translation of the Jonker. We have one on the specialist admit, that there are many instances themselves and their expectations of Laws into one of the indigenous languages was to Touch Judge Panel – Cobus Wessels, two where the referee had a bad day and did future success. Refereeing is similar to any assist in transformation and while progress has been on the TMO Panel – Shaun Veldsman and in fact influence the result of the game other sporting endeavour – to achieve at made, much remains to be done. Johan Meuwesen – and an IRB Match negatively? the highest level you have to be absolutely Our AWARE campaign had two objectives; to change Reviewer in Dennis Immelman. Another committed and put in lots of hard work. nd the record of 47 will probably be laws require a whole different approach, negative attitudes towards referees from media, landmark was Pro Legote’s elevation to And this includes fitness, law knowledge, surpassed by the time you read this especially when you have to ref six players and the public while also find new recruits. The ‘Who started these contenders squad is proving to be a valuable tool in Test status this year. player management and communication Anewsletter when he takes charge different types of laws during one season! identifying and grooming referees with potential but we negative attitudes; do skills. of the game between Wales and New rely on each Society to do their utmost and work with On top of that we’ve had several referees losing teams always Zealand on 22 November! ‘But refs are the servants of rugby and the national campaign on recruiting new referees. participate in overseas tournaments, these Most referees would be surprised at just we need to adapt like the players.’ He It is an impossible task to recognise all those who including Joey Salmans, Willie Roos, blame the referee, are how hard our top four referees work at However, he doesn’t want to create too also feels there is more pressure on contributed to our success this year, suffice to say Sindile Mayende and Francois Veldsman coaches so one-eyed that keeping themselves at the peak of their much hype around the feat. ‘Actually players and officials nowadays because of there were many of you. Particular thanks to all those to name a few. game – there’s no resting on laurels.