The good, the bad and the referee

In the latest installment in our series of refereeing features, our guest columnist addresses the age-old question of discipline.

In the latest installment in our series of refereeing features, our guest columnist addresses the age-old question of discipline.

Discipline is the focus of this article, or perhaps the lack of, and how players and coaches need to ensure that the referee doesn't send them off for 10 minutes, or for good.

Discipline in our sport is something that sets us aside from other sports – the discipline to hold respect for the match officials, other players and spectators is mandatory to ensure that the game does not descend into the farce that some other professional sports have entered into.

We have seen many times where a player has been given a red card only for coaches and commentators to claim it was harsh, and that perhaps a yellow card was more suitable, which is in fact an admission that they agree the player has acted outside the laws of the game and is therefore liable to penalty and possible further sanction.

Should players (and, of course, coaches) not ensure that they do not put themselves into situations where the referee has to make a choice between issuing a red or yellow card. If a player targets an opponent, and takes him out illegally (late, high, spear or tip tackle) then they have put themselves at the mercy of the referee's judgment (who has one view at full speed) of how bad they thought the incident was. Don't blame the referee for pulling out a card, blame the player for the lack of discipline that led to the card.

There are the odd exceptions where the wrong people have been carded, or the card has been issued incorrectly, but these make a very small (under one percent) of all cards issued.

So how do you stop players getting in card territory? Well it's fairly simple, and the best teams in the world at it are France and South Africa.

In the recent Rugby World Cup when France beat Wales, excluding the well documented and discussed Sam Warburton card, the last 20 minutes of the game was dominated by Wales. However, France worked hard to maintain their defensive lines, and most importantly not give away penalties. They held this defence for an amazingly long time, giving away only one penalty that Leigh Halfpenny failed to convert.

South Africa also did the same during the 2007 Rugby World Cup Final against England. Knowing full well the ability of Jonny Wilkinson, South Africa made sure they gave away very few penalties within kicking range, the result was one of the lowest penalty-counts in the history of the Rugby World Cup with only 12 penalties in the whole game. England conceded seven, of which five were kicked by South Africa. But South Africa only conceded five penalties, of which only two were in Wilkinson's kicking range, both of which were kicked. Those points from the boot decided the game. A better example of why discipline by players is so important, could not be given.

So next time you see a player getting a red or yellow card for foul play, don't think about why the referee gave the card, think about why the player has decided to try and carry out an act that is clearly dangerous and/or against the laws of the game.

The more players that are coached to play within the laws of the game with the skill and ability they possess, the less penalties will be conceded that hurt the team. And if players don't know the laws they should learn them.

I have always stated that ALL players should undertake a basic referee course in order to learn the laws and understand their interpretation. Knowledge, after all, is power.

By Robert Burns

Read more about what Robert & other referees have to say at www.RugbyRefs.com or follow Robert on twitter @RugbyRefscom.