Josh1
The Sidekick
- Joined
- Aug 7, 2014
- Messages
- 194
- Country Flag
Your questions have been answered by the legendary referee, Jonathan Kaplan! They can be found below.
Q: Do you feel that referees these days consult the TMO too often for video reviews?
A. Referees are trying to make their decisions right and are making a conscious effort to merge with the demands of the modern game. I would not say there is an over reliance on technology but perhaps they do need to look at the personnel they are using at present. Not the best and the accuracy this year was the worst I have ever seen. The communication between the referee and the TMO needs refinement. I certainly believe that you need more ex referees in the box who can challenge the thinking of those on the field to get more decisions right. There are many games at the top flight being decided by poor communication and an over reliance on protocol when often the right decision is so obvious!
Q: What one match do you wish you could have refereed that you didn't?
A. I never got to referee a RWC Final which was a disappointment but I had many other special memories in the game over a really long period of time. For whatever reason, the ball just didn't bounce my way.
Q: Both players and referees make mistakes on the pitch. When you're aware that you've made an error, do you block it out of your mind immediately or does it prey on your mind for the entire game?
A. It is certainly a skill which needs to be developed by all referees. Towards the end of my career I made a mistake in a major test match and had to rely on all my years of experience to ensure that I didn't compensate for that obvious error.
Q: What is the funniest thing you have seen or heard on the pitch?
A. Nothing really stands out. Lots of chirps but it's all in the game, and when players cross the line we generally just settle things down. Too much at stake for players to be focused on being the funny man.
Q: The two referees, one game system has been used in Stellenbosch for the first time and in the Varsity Cup, what is your take on that? Do you think this system will be successful in the long run?
A. It is the way forward. The game has long gone past the one man show. There is so much at stake and if we concede that referees are human beings, then we also need to move into the space where we do not rely on one man’s whims to determine the outcome of major test matches. The reliance on teamwork has far greater gains than the obvious risks and financial implications. If we do not go this route, then rugby will constantly be beset by controversy when the human being called the referee makes the inevitable error in the hot seat. It's no good to moan about that after the fact. Something needs to be done about it. Yesterday was a good day.
Q: With hindsight, how much of an influence do you feel a captain can have on a referee?
A. Not in hindsight at all. It is the role of the captain to ensure that the aims of his team are not thwarted by inaccuracy or referees having an off day. This is professional sport we are talking about. The captains are often right in the messages they are trying to get across - they sometimes are not great at communicating this message clearly , but I suppose that there is a lot of frustration attached to it as well.
Q: What law or laws of the game would you change to make refereeing easier?
A. The scrum is the most inaccurately refereed facet of the game. It's not getting better either. Something needs to be done about this. Referees are not doing enough homework and the penalties being awarded are often game defining when they are clearly not that accurate. The maul is also becoming a huge issue, and it is threatening the shape of the game with both attack and defence being allowed to get away with murder.
Q: What can a referee do when a scrum repeatedly collapses and the referee doesn't know who is at fault?
A. The referee must do more homework. There are tools he can use to ensure compliance but he needs to know what he is looking for.
Q: Does a referee’s mind-set change when in the Northern and Southern Hemispheres?
A. I don't think so. I refereed each game according to what was unfolding in front of me. The North is behind the south. They have been for some time. Having said that I think in general the northern refs adjust reasonably well to the tactics and pace of the game, for the most part! For me the biggest problem is coaching of the bigger group. They don't have a coach at IRB level. They need one to tie up all the loose ends. On a regular and consistent basis. It's a massive issue, and the present system lends itself towards individualism and rampant inconsistency.
Q: We regularly see ex-players join commentary teams after they finish their playing careers. Do you think it would be beneficial to see ex-referees do the same, and why is it that we don't see this already?
A. I couldn't agree more. It is a complex game and the public deserve greater access to information. On a personal note, I have been trying for some time to get a gig doing exactly that, but for some reason, there is resistance to this idea. I will keep trying as I believe I can add huge value to the game!
Jonathan's book, "Call It Like It Is" is available on Amazon now with Hardback availability in the UK.
Q: Do you feel that referees these days consult the TMO too often for video reviews?
A. Referees are trying to make their decisions right and are making a conscious effort to merge with the demands of the modern game. I would not say there is an over reliance on technology but perhaps they do need to look at the personnel they are using at present. Not the best and the accuracy this year was the worst I have ever seen. The communication between the referee and the TMO needs refinement. I certainly believe that you need more ex referees in the box who can challenge the thinking of those on the field to get more decisions right. There are many games at the top flight being decided by poor communication and an over reliance on protocol when often the right decision is so obvious!
Q: What one match do you wish you could have refereed that you didn't?
A. I never got to referee a RWC Final which was a disappointment but I had many other special memories in the game over a really long period of time. For whatever reason, the ball just didn't bounce my way.
Q: Both players and referees make mistakes on the pitch. When you're aware that you've made an error, do you block it out of your mind immediately or does it prey on your mind for the entire game?
A. It is certainly a skill which needs to be developed by all referees. Towards the end of my career I made a mistake in a major test match and had to rely on all my years of experience to ensure that I didn't compensate for that obvious error.
Q: What is the funniest thing you have seen or heard on the pitch?
A. Nothing really stands out. Lots of chirps but it's all in the game, and when players cross the line we generally just settle things down. Too much at stake for players to be focused on being the funny man.
Q: The two referees, one game system has been used in Stellenbosch for the first time and in the Varsity Cup, what is your take on that? Do you think this system will be successful in the long run?
A. It is the way forward. The game has long gone past the one man show. There is so much at stake and if we concede that referees are human beings, then we also need to move into the space where we do not rely on one man’s whims to determine the outcome of major test matches. The reliance on teamwork has far greater gains than the obvious risks and financial implications. If we do not go this route, then rugby will constantly be beset by controversy when the human being called the referee makes the inevitable error in the hot seat. It's no good to moan about that after the fact. Something needs to be done about it. Yesterday was a good day.
Q: With hindsight, how much of an influence do you feel a captain can have on a referee?
A. Not in hindsight at all. It is the role of the captain to ensure that the aims of his team are not thwarted by inaccuracy or referees having an off day. This is professional sport we are talking about. The captains are often right in the messages they are trying to get across - they sometimes are not great at communicating this message clearly , but I suppose that there is a lot of frustration attached to it as well.
Q: What law or laws of the game would you change to make refereeing easier?
A. The scrum is the most inaccurately refereed facet of the game. It's not getting better either. Something needs to be done about this. Referees are not doing enough homework and the penalties being awarded are often game defining when they are clearly not that accurate. The maul is also becoming a huge issue, and it is threatening the shape of the game with both attack and defence being allowed to get away with murder.
Q: What can a referee do when a scrum repeatedly collapses and the referee doesn't know who is at fault?
A. The referee must do more homework. There are tools he can use to ensure compliance but he needs to know what he is looking for.
Q: Does a referee’s mind-set change when in the Northern and Southern Hemispheres?
A. I don't think so. I refereed each game according to what was unfolding in front of me. The North is behind the south. They have been for some time. Having said that I think in general the northern refs adjust reasonably well to the tactics and pace of the game, for the most part! For me the biggest problem is coaching of the bigger group. They don't have a coach at IRB level. They need one to tie up all the loose ends. On a regular and consistent basis. It's a massive issue, and the present system lends itself towards individualism and rampant inconsistency.
Q: We regularly see ex-players join commentary teams after they finish their playing careers. Do you think it would be beneficial to see ex-referees do the same, and why is it that we don't see this already?
A. I couldn't agree more. It is a complex game and the public deserve greater access to information. On a personal note, I have been trying for some time to get a gig doing exactly that, but for some reason, there is resistance to this idea. I will keep trying as I believe I can add huge value to the game!
Jonathan's book, "Call It Like It Is" is available on Amazon now with Hardback availability in the UK.
