Stop the Clock

redmca2

Has anyone else noticed how inconsistent referees are in relation to stopping and re-starting the clock?

A prime example last night was in the Connacht Dragons match. Connacht were trying desperately to overturn a 1 point deficit with time running out. They brought on a sub at about 78 minutes, it was pretty quick change, about 20 seconds, but in any case the clock wasn't stopped by Alan Lewis. Not sure why, I always understood that he must stop it for a substitution.

It is very common when an injury occurs that a fair amount of time is allowed to elapse before the ref calls "time off" and sometimes his instruction takes another 4 or 5 seconds before it is actioned ........

Is it not time (pardon the pun!!) for the the clock to be controlled by a separate official?

toomevara

redmca2 wrote: »

Has anyone else noticed how inconsistent referees are in relation to stopping and re-starting the clock?

About as utterly inconsistent as they are in the application of every other law in RU. Totally agree with you, this drives me crazy when watching RU. Its not rocket science, just look at how RL do it, never an issue in the 13 man code.

durkadurka

At rds last week we hAd the added confusion of the stadium clock counting down from 80 for some reason and the stadium announcer declaring half time early

Downtime

redmca2 wrote: »

Has anyone else noticed how inconsistent referees are in relation to stopping and re-starting the clock?

A prime example last night was in the Connacht Dragons match. Connacht were trying desperately to overturn a 1 point deficit with time running out. They brought on a sub at about 78 minutes, it was pretty quick change, about 20 seconds, but in any case the clock wasn't stopped by Alan Lewis. Not sure why, I always understood that he must stop it for a substitution.

It is very common when an injury occurs that a fair amount of time is allowed to elapse before the ref calls "time off" and sometimes his instruction takes another 4 or 5 seconds before it is actioned ........

Is it not time (pardon the pun!!) for the the clock to be controlled by a separate official?

The referee does not typically, but may, stop the clock for substitutions. It is normally only stopped for referrals to the TMO and longer injuries where the injured player is either in the way, required or badly injured.

The clock is controlled by a separate official but directed by the referee.

From Law 5.

Time lost may be due to the following:

(a) Injury. The referee may stop play for not more than one minute so that an injured player can be treated, or for any other permitted delay.
The referee may allow play to continue while a medically trained person treats an injured player in the playing area or the player may go to the touchline for treatment.
If a player is seriously injured and needs to be removed from the field of play, the referee has the discretion to allow the necessary time to have the injured player removed from the field-of-play.

(b) Replacing players’ clothing. When the ball is dead, the referee allows time for a player to replace or repair a badly torn jersey, shorts or boots. Time is allowed for a player to re-tie a boot-lace.

(c) Replacement and substitution of players. Time is allowed when a player is replaced or substituted.

(d) Referee consulting with assistant referee(s) or other officials. Time is allowed for consultations between referee and assistant referees or other officials.

Tim Robbins

Downtime wrote: »

The referee does not typically, but may, stop the clock for substitutions. It is normally only stopped for referrals to the TMO and longer injuries where the injured player is either in the way, required or badly injured.

The clock is controlled by a separate official but directed by the referee.

From Law 5.

Time lost may be due to the following:

(a) Injury. The referee may stop play for not more than one minute so that an injured player can be treated, or for any other permitted delay.
The referee may allow play to continue while a medically trained person treats an injured player in the playing area or the player may go to the touchline for treatment.
If a player is seriously injured and needs to be removed from the field of play, the referee has the discretion to allow the necessary time to have the injured player removed from the field-of-play.

(b) Replacing players’ clothing. When the ball is dead, the referee allows time for a player to replace or repair a badly torn jersey, shorts or boots. Time is allowed for a player to re-tie a boot-lace.

(c) Replacement and substitution of players. Time is allowed when a player is replaced or substituted.

(d) Referee consulting with assistant referee(s) or other officials. Time is allowed for consultations between referee and assistant referees or other officials.

News to me. I thought you were always to time off for subs and replacements as per law.

toomevara

I think really the law is an ass in this case. Enough game time is lost already with scrum resets, lineouts, penalties etc... RU needs to get its act together and ensure that as much as possible of the 80 is spent with the ball in actual, genuine play.

JustinDee

redmca2 wrote: »

A prime example last night was in the Connacht Dragons match. Connacht were trying desperately to overturn a 1 point deficit with time running out. They brought on a sub at about 78 minutes, it was pretty quick change, about 20 seconds, but in any case the clock wasn't stopped by Alan Lewis. Not sure why, I always understood that he must stop it for a substitution

The ref doesn't have to. Its up to them.
If the sub is ready and the player going off is aware and nearby, no need to stop the clock.

Downtime

toomevara wrote: »

I think really the law is an ass in this case. Enough game time is lost already with scrum resets, lineouts, penalties etc... RU needs to get its act together and ensure that as much as possible of the 80 is spent with the ball in actual, genuine play.

The ball is only in play for about 35 minutes anyway - stopping the clock for substitutions isn't going to increase this by much.

toomevara

Downtime wrote: »

The ball is only in play for about 35 minutes anyway - stopping the clock for substitutions isn't going to increase this by much.

Christ! Is that true? Bloody hell, given that I'll take any extra minutes available anywhere...

*Edit*

In the final regular season round of the NRL, the ball is in play for 78% of the total game time. In the final regular season game of the Super 14 the ball is in play for 35% of total game time.

Wow...(from here)http://www.voxy.co.nz/sport/nrl-vs-super-14-differences-game-and-players/971/28136

durkadurka

Downtime wrote: »

The ball is only in play for about 35 minutes anyway - stopping the clock for substitutions isn't going to increase this by much.

Have you got any stats or a link to back that up. I'd be amazed if it was as little as that. I'm not having a go. I'd just like to look into it more.

Zuffer

From reading the article, the 35 mins figure does not count 'contests for possession', of which RL has a lot less. By in play, they mean in hand. In other words, it doesn't count scrums or lineouts, or anytime the ball is on the deck during a ruck. For that reason, it's not really a fair comparison. I'm guessing that if you're on this forum that you think the ruck is an important part of the game.

Downtime

Taking the 2010 Six Nations as an example the average ball in play was 38min 12s:

BALL IN PLAY
Ire v Ita 37m 32s
Eng v Wal 37m 46s
Sco v Fra 40m 08s
Wal v Sco 40m 58s
Fra v Ire 41m 59s
ita v Eng 38m 37s
Wal v Fra 38m 09s
Ita v Sco 38m 39s
Eng VvIre 37m 58s
Ire v Wal 36m 56s
Sco v Eng 36m 36s
Fra v Ita 35m 30s
Wal v Ita 41m 41s
Ire v Sco 31m 11s
Fra v Eng 39m 39s

All the stats on the IRB site http://www.irb.com/newsmedia/mediazone/gameanalysis/index.html

durkadurka

That's about 48per cent. Sounds about right

JustinDee

toomevara wrote: »

Christ! Is that true? Bloody hell, given that I'll take any extra minutes available anywhere...

*Edit*

Wow...(from here)http://www.voxy.co.nz/sport/nrl-vs-super-14-differences-game-and-players/971/28136

Like tackling stats, the two codes compile statistics via differing methods.
Calculating time ball is actually on the field is a tad different to adding up the amount of time when the ball is actually moved.
With tackling, as another example, one tackler in rugby union is credited with the tackle, regardless of how many others join in. In rugby league, the statto is crediting every player involved in the tackle.