Rugby union match officials are responsible for enforcing the laws of rugby union during a match. "Every match is under the control of match officials who consist of the referee and two touch judges or assistant referees." [1] Further officials can be authorised depending on the level and form of the game. [2]
When the game of rugby union was developed at Rugby school, there were no official rugby referees. It was not until many years later when the game began to spread internationally that an official was included.
Before the creation of rugby referees, the captains from both teams would set the rules down before the game began. The two captains would arbitrate the game together as it went on. This is where the ‘advantage’ law comes from in rugby union. Th
In 1892, the International Rugby Board was created as a result of a disputed try as the captains could not agree on whether it had been scored. The rugby laws were changed to require one referee and two touch judges at each game to make the arbitration easier and more consistent. [3]
Since then the match officials' job has been broadly unchanged. The main changes have been:
Rugby union match officials must use the following equipment:
Rugby union match officials may use the following equipment:
Before the game, a referee must:
The duties of the referee during the game are:
After the game a referee is required to:
The referee having made a decision is required to indicate the decision by blowing the whistle and signalling. Primary signals relate to what decision is being awarded. For example, whether a scrum or penalty is awarded. Secondary signals relate to why the decision is being awarded. For example, a knock-on (scrum) or a high tackle (penalty). There are also signals for stoppages in time, replacement and scoring to ensure everyone knows what is happening. [28]
Assistant referees are appointed by the union in charge of the fixture. They are either themselves qualified referees or qualified assistant referees. Assistant referees may be asked to help with duties that touch judges cannot. Touch judges are normally supplied by the teams playing, one from each team. [29]
During the game touch judges and assistant referees must:
Additional responsibilities of assistant referees:
A touch judge has no responsibilities after a match. The only responsibility an assistant referee has is to complete a written report to send to the referee that is then sent to the union in charge of the game. The report is only required if a player has been sent off or temporarily suspended because of their report on foul play. [35]
The touch judges and assistant referees cannot stop play, but can signal the referee to enable them to assist him. [36]
Often referred to as the TMO, a television match official may be appointed to assist the referee in determining whether points have been scored or foul play has been committed. A television match official can only rule on exactly what the referee asks them; however, they can direct the referee's attention to foul play by speaking to him through his earpiece. Television match officials are commonly used in first-class and international televised games. [37]
At higher levels of rugby, some games have appointed substitution controllers (sometimes called the "fourth official" and "fifth official"). These officials liaise with the teams and ensure they only use their permitted number of substitutions. They also indicate to the referee when a substitute is ready to come on. They often use signs with the numbers of the player coming off and the player going on the field, so this is one less thing for the referee to worry about. If an assistant referee is injured then one of the substitution controllers will take the place of the assistant referee. [2]
A timekeeper may also be appointed to indicate to the referee when they believe a half should end. Ultimately, it is up to the referee to decide. [38]
In-goal judges are used in the seven-a-side variation of rugby union to assist the referee in awarding a try and signalling kicks at goal instead of the assistant referees. In-goal judges are not required in a game where a TMO is present. [39]
One study found that around 6% of United Kingdom referees surveyed had been physically assaulted. [40] A further examination of the study found that rugby union referees' fear of being assaulted was a significant factor for increased stress. [41] The same study found that rugby referees were most concerned about being assaulted by a spectator or coach. A study by Rainey and Hardy found that it was in fact players who committed assaults on referees the most, contributing to 79% of all assaults on referees. [42]
As a reaction to this rugby unions have begun handing out long bans and large fines to individuals who physically assault a referee, [43] and more recently verbal assault of referees has also received severe punishments. [44] Now the common punishment for a player punching a referee or anything similar is a lifetime ban. [45] The laws of the game have also been changed to help this by making it compulsory for any official to report any abuse on them or another official to the union in charge of the fixture. [46]
The Union in charge of the fixture usually appoints the match officials. The IRB International Referees Panel appoints referees for international matches. Other major competitions such as Super Rugby, Heineken Cup and age group World Cups use a similar system. [47]
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Penalty cards are used in many sports as a means of warning, reprimanding or penalising a player, coach or team official. Penalty cards are most commonly used by referees or umpires to indicate that a player has committed an offence. The official will hold the card above their head while looking or pointing toward the player who has committed the offence. This action makes the decision clear to all players, as well as spectators and other officials in a manner that is language-neutral. The colour or shape of the card used by the official indicates the type or seriousness of the offence and the level of punishment that is to be applied. Yellow and red cards are the most common, typically indicating, respectively, cautions and dismissals.
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In association football, an assistant referee is an official who assists the referee in administering the Laws of the Game during a match. Although assistants are not required under the Laws, at most organised levels of football the match officiating crew consists of the referee and at least two assistant referees. The responsibilities of the various assistant referees are listed in Law 6, "The Other Match Officials". In the current Laws the term "assistant referee" technically refers only to the two officials who generally patrol the touchlines, with the wider range of assistants to the referee given other titles.
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In rugby league football, the Laws of the Game are the rules governing how the sport is played. The Laws are the responsibility of the Rugby League International Federation, and cover the play, officiating, equipment and procedures of the game.
The laws of Rugby Union are defined by World Rugby and dictate how the game should be played. They are enforced by a referee, generally with the help of two assistant referees.
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A free kick is a method of restarting play in association football. It is awarded after an infringement of the laws by the opposing team.
References to the Laws or a Law are to the Laws of the game: Rugby Union 2010, published by the International Rugby Board, Dublin, Ireland.