Nick Cain

Chatty refs have aided the growth of dissent

by
The Rugby Paper Team
26 November 2017

Clear as day? Owen Farrell, right, appeals as Marika Koroibete touches down

DISSENT is an evil genie that was always going to escape from the bottle when Rugby Union referees began to engage players in non-stop prattle.
It started with the idea that refs should communicate with players in a virtual coaching role, with constant commentary advising them when they were encroaching offside or off their feet. Who could forget Tony Spreadbury ‘s cries of, “He knows! He knows! “ as he penalised players with their heads so deeply buried in the ruck burrowing for the ball that...

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