The Lions Series: The Refereeing Decisions

[PGT]

I thought SC participants might find the following articles from the RugbyReferee.net Blog interesting:

The SB-W red card - http://rugbyreferee.net/2017/07/01/blog ... -red-card/

That decision - http://rugbyreferee.net/2017/07/09/all- ... -changing/

So now you know, or maybe not; who'd be a referee!

[dom_pedro]

I thought the red card was spot on ... not sure whether Mako should also have had a red later on.

The offside at the end of the 3rd test was odd. I thought that if it was a knock-on then it had to be a penalty as he clearly goes to grab (or play) the ball, but having seen the video again it doesn't actually look like a knock-on at all.

[PGT]

No doubt about the SB-W red card, a referee of my acquaintance called it immediately. I think the Mako incident was marginal, and Garces decided that correctly, even if his TMO was trying valiantly to get him to take another look.

The third test decision was interesting particularly when viewed in the context of the discussion that follows the article I posted earlier. I guess it will be one that divides opinion, depending on what the colour of your shirt is, for years to come. All of this simply goes to prove how lucky we are to have referees, the difficult job they have and the decisions they have to make, which with empathy for the game and its participants they get right more times than not.

[gabriel]

Two really interesting blogs.

I thought the red card was beyond reasonable doubt.

The knock-on/? off-side occurs regularly in the game and the way it is treated does vary. It is not possible without a replay showing the angles whether the it was a knock-on or not. But, at the time, I remember thinking giving a penalty was a fair call.

But there was nobody to consult with, unlike my usual situation at the Madejski where I usually have a knowledgeable person sitting in front of me to consult and learn the right answer.