Referees need less to do The modern referees’ job has become a laughably difficult task. Rugby has essentially become a game of five separate functions with open play, the ruck, the maul, the scrum and the lineout becoming such unique disciplines that they hardly resemble the same elements that existed during the amateur era. The ruck and scrum have become some so tiresome in their interpretation that they almost qualify as separate sports within a sport – and thus now require a different approach to refereeing. It is unfair to expect the referee to oversee the whole operation. For example, it has become impossible for an individual to focus on the ruck and the offside line at the same time. Literally impossible. Short of embarking on a genetic breeding programme where we create four-eyed whistle blowers, asking a ref to look at two things simultaneously simply can’t be achieved. Offside decisions would be the sole responsibility of the assistant referees. And time keeping should be the sole responsibility of the TMO – why the referee is still in charge of the timing is bizarre, when the TMO can easily see when the game requires starting and stopping without the input of the referee. Rugby has undergone many changes since it turned professional, in particular with player roles becoming more specialised, and it is now time that the referee’s role underwent a similar evolution for their sake as much as the game’s.  Gatland goes on a crash diet  October was a lively month for Warren Gatland, even by his standards. He came out firing like a long lost member of NWA. First, he turned his pistol around gangsta style and took aim at the Kiwi press for trolling him during the British and Irish Lions’ tour, reloaded and took a shot at Sean O’Brien, then started blasting shells at Welsh supporters by stating that he had probably stayed in Wales too long and that a loyalty bonus was playing a big role in keeping him as head coach. But by far the most interesting aspect of Gatland’s October was his new Welsh squad. Particularly his selections at centre. Gone were the crash ball centres of yesteryear and in came the ballers – Owen Watkin, Owen Williams and Hadleigh Parkes all represent very different options for Wales. What’s more intriguing is that Gatland didn’t even give himself the option of Jamie Roberts should the new passing plan go awry. It was like a well-upholstered lad going on a diet and not being able to have chocolate anywhere in the house. It would be all too easy for Gatland to have a craving late one night during the autumn internationals and go foraging into the cupboard for a lump of Jamie. If last month has been anything to go by, Gatland’s run in to the World Cup is going to be as wonderfully unpredictable as Steff Evans’ feet. England v Wales scrummaging and lineouts – let’s take it further The revelation that Wales … Continue reading Five things we learnt in rugby – October