The introduction of professional referees this season was supposed to be a progressive step. Yet, here we are, just half way through the first season and the strategy is already in crisis.
Two of the six pro refs have now been suspended in the wake of the Bulls-Leeds Millennium Magic fiasco. Referee of the year in 2005, Ashley Klein, who was acting as video referee and wrongly awarded the penalty that led to the Leeds non-try, has now joined Steve Ganson on the ‘Suspended‘ list.
So, two of the top UK refs are thoroughly discredited (maybe irreperably so), whilst a third, Karl Kirkpatrick, having declined to go ‘pro’ has now defected to rugby union.
Oh, for the good old days. The days of Fred Lindop, Billy Thompson, Stan Wall and Mick Naughton … wait! What am I saying?! With the exception of Mick (who always seemed a nice guy and fair too), who wanted any of those guys reffing (sorry Stan)?
And just what those guys would have made of the role today we’ll never know … but 20-30 years later I can at least still remember them.
Yet, the refereeing role has changed so much in those decades and today’s ref must work under intense scrutiny. Every mistake is recorded and replayed, to be questioned and dissected by the ascerbic Stevo. How would your work suffer with that guy looking over your shoulder?
No, even with the remote support system of miked-up advisor in the stands and a video referee, we are putting too much pressure on our refs. Without the hardy souls who take-up the whistle, there’d be no game.
But there are things we could do to help bail them out, such as -:
- The Coach’s Challenge – each coach would be allowed to challenge one decision per half during the game. The decision would be reviewed by the video ref and a ruling made. Each challenge would cost the challenging team one substitution should they lose it.
- The Automatic Review – before allowing any try the video review should automatically be invoked. It needn’t delay the game in most cases as it could be done whilst the kick was being lined-up.
- The Gag – not physically sadly – but getting Stevo to tone-down his critique wouldn’t hurt.
Whilst each of those options would help in easing the burden, at the end of the day it’s just a damn tough job! How much would they have to pay you to do it?
ibridge
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