Brian Moore becomes a referee.

thomond2006

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/rugbyunion/7206730/Brian-Moore-my-background-in-cheating-will-come-in-handy-for-life-as-a-referee.html

Brian Moore: my background in cheating will come in handy for life as a referee

A rugby referee wrote to me recently, taking me to task for comments I made about the referees in a number of matches.

He provided a long list of what he alleged were inaccuracies and unacceptable criticisms of the various officials and ended by saying that perhaps if I bothered to get off my behind and try to do their job, I might make fewer mistakes and be less inclined to shoot my mouth off when a referee made the occasional error.

Leaving aside the fact that many of the allegations were unfounded, the challenge of seeing it from a different perspective was one which could do no harm and so I have just completed the four stages of the Rugby Football Union’s Entry Level Referee Award course and am due to referee my first competitive game on Monday. This baptism is to be made with the added sulphur of having a member of the panel of elite referees and my course tutor acting as touchline assistants and the whole thing being filmed and my comments recorded via microphone.

Before I arrived at the first session I wondered what sort of person would want to be a referee; derided, degraded and sometimes defiled by all and sundry; the man in the middle with no mates. Why would anyone want to do this; give up their spare time to invariably get criticised and in the case of a football referee possibly abused verbally and occasionally physically?

The answer is that they are ordinary blokes, with all sorts of reasons. Some want to give a bit back to the game, others want to do it because they teach and many because they are involved in the game through their kids.

There was scant evidence of individuals so inadequate at playing that they had to take up the whistle to make up for their multiple inadequacies – the “little Hitlers”, as referees are so often caricatured. Most just want to help and in the days of government paranoia about paedophiles and other red tape, they face an increasing number of hurdles to just try to make that contribution.

It is interesting how many aspirants referred to incidents from televised games. There can be no doubt that both officials and players are influenced by what they see on televised sport and the various governing bodies and referees’ associations should take a careful note of this rather than paying it lip service. If referees at the top level do not do their job and ignore certain things it causes trouble lower down because the referees are challenged during games with the comment that “they do this at international level”.

Virtually none of the attendees will end up in the rarefied atmosphere of refereeing Premiership or international games and they each had a good working knowledge of the laws, but they have to implement the same laws and the complexity and number thereof does not help them. The terms ‘contextual judgment’ and ‘materiality’ were material in the context of this course, it is just that phrases themselves sound so complex. If this sounds confusing, it is, but if you substitute the simple phrase ‘common sense’ and apply it to what you see on the pitch at the time, you have a better idea of what they are getting at.

It is the mastering of these now simplified concepts that is the real challenge and the one which sorts out which referees will progress to the higher echelons of the game. These areas are also the most difficult to master and you cannot learn them from a book.

Those with more and higher playing experience stood out from the group because they were able to anticipate indiscretions. My vast background of systematic cheating at all levels naturally came in handy when trying to get the balance right between allowing the game to flow and penalising what needed to be punished. I know why, where and how players are likely to cheat, which allows me to look in the right areas.

Sometimes it is not right to wave ‘play on’ but on other occasions the technical can be overlooked in favour of getting on with it.

The most apposite vernacular for me in this balancing conundrum is ‘does it matter’? but also bearing in mind that what matters is not confined to the instant 80 minutes.

The common reasons – or excuses depending on your point of view – given by referees for their failure to spot things are true. At pitch level you do not get an elevated angle of anything that occurs and things happen quickly, even during relatively low grade games. Almost immediately you have to make your decision and often you have no help from anyone. You also cannot look at everything and it is here that former players differentiate themselves from those with limited playing experience.

Undoubtedly rugby, and indeed all sports, would benefit hugely if more ex-players officiated because many would have that which cannot be taught – an understanding and feeling for the game. The main bar to this is the stipulation of a maximum refereeing age. By the time a professional has retired he is closing fast on this limit and would struggle to referee enough games.

Conversely, the current practice of obliging referees to choose between playing and officiating at an ever earlier age means the essential understanding of the game cannot be learnt properly; there are no short cuts to this. The solution that needs to be implemented is for the age limits to be extended for referees who have retired from the higher levels of game.

Unfortunately, from my discussion with several football referees, including Graham Poll, it seems clear that in football they have the added factor of little support from the wider game.

Without the support of parents, coaches and particularly their governing body, a referee’s job is made tougher, to the point that it almost becomes impossible. Referees are essential and need encouraging, but that does not put them beyond criticism and, as a referee, I wholeheartedly endorse my own views.

Great piece of journalism.

Trojan

Very interesting. I'd love to watch a match with him reffing. And heckle, loudly

who the fug

Trojan wrote: »

Very interesting. I'd love to watch a match with him reffing. And heckle, loudly

Moore you are having a bloody mare


followed by a quick finger point to the bloke on ones left with " He Said it "

JustinDee

thomond2006 wrote: »

Great piece of journalism.

. . . finally

stephen_n

Before I arrived at the first session I wondered what sort of person would want to be a referee; derided, degraded and sometimes defiled by all and sundry; the man in the middle with no mates. Why would anyone want to do this; give up their spare time to invariably get criticised and in the case of a football referee possibly abused verbally and occasionally physically?



Often wondered this myself and my brothers a ref!

thomond2006

With Italy vs England on Sunday, there's a possibility that Moore will be covering Ireland vs France also the day before.

Podge_irl

I thought Moore pretty much always did the English matches?

Podge_irl

Ah, I see what you mean. I doubt it though, which is a shame.

thomond2006

Podge_irl wrote: »

Ah, I see what you mean. I doubt it though, which is a shame.

I'll go mad if I have to listen to bloody Ralph Keyes.

Fun drinking game: drink everytime Ralph Keyes states the obvious during a match.

Intoxication guaranteed.

d'Oracle

thomond2006 wrote: »

Fun drinking game: drink everytime Ralph Keyes states the obvious during a match.

Intoxication guaranteed.

Brian Moore as a ref.....If his commentary is anything to go by, every damn scrum would end up in a penalty. That or the scrum halves would end up putting it in straight and we might see some action from the hookers.

Podge_irl

I can just imagine him binning every single scrum half til the balls start going in straight. He's not a man you'd argue with either!

d'Oracle

Podge_irl wrote: »

I can just imagine him binning every single scrum half til the balls start going in straight. He's not a man you'd argue with either!

"Thats a crooked feed again........GOD SAAAKE!!!"

Hippo

thomond2006 wrote: »

I'll go mad if I have to listen to bloody Ralph Keyes.

Fun drinking game: drink everytime Ralph Keyes states the obvious during a match.

Intoxication guaranteed.

Elephants by half-time.

thomond2006

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cbrxuiBtMoA

murphym7

Did anyone listen to him on the BBC coverage of the England France game on Sat night? He was awful - kept getting everything wrong and then backtracking when proven wrong - far too emotional.

PerrinV2

murphym7 wrote: »

Did anyone listen to him on the BBC coverage of the England France game on Sat night? He was awful - kept getting everything wrong and then backtracking when proven wrong - far too emotional.

I thought he was shocking too,everytime a decision went against england he started...

evil_seed

he annoys me sooo much. but is the reason i tune in to watch england on the bbc. he is wrong 90% of the time but i find it entertaining and it gives me more reason to shout at the telly

Riskymove

his debut game as a ref was featured on SKY


surprise, surprise, he was all gung ho about straight feeds to the scrum...he got injured after about 5 mins and had to leave the pitch!!!