Refereeing rugby is an extremely difficult task, requiring intense physical exertion (running to keep up with all play and avoiding play and players) coupled with the requirement to monitor play, identify infractions and immediately recall and apply all Laws of the Game.  And there is only one referee for the entire match.  Players and spectators must understand this.

In high-level rugby, there is now a referee team, consisting of the Referee, who is the on-field official, and two Assistant Referees, who man the touchline on each side of the field and who are empowered to make calls on certain aspects of the Law, such as lineouts and on-field foul play.

For most youth rugby, we will see only one referee, the on-field official who will be in charge of all aspects of the game.  Parents or assistant coaches will volunteer as a touch judge, responsible only for assisting with out-of-bounds calls.

In rugby, the Laws of Rugby state flatly: the referee is “the sole judge of fact and Law.” Unlike most other sports, the rugby referee is a very highly empowered individual who controls all aspects of the game, to include the score, time, and all decisions, with no consultation with anyone else.  Unconditional respect of all players toward the referee is mandated by the Laws, and the referee is required by the Laws to enforce this.  No criticism of the referee is permitted whatsoever, from players on or off the field or coaches, and doing so is grounds for a penalty, a yellow-card warning, or for a red-card send-off if it continues; this applies to players on the field, players on the sidelines, and all members of the team coaching and support staff.

Respect for the referee is paramount.  The only players on the field who are permitted to engage with the referee are the two team captains.  For youth rugby, where players are novices, all referees are open to questions from players, provided they are presented respectfully.  All referees will be diligent in cautioning players on disrespect, or assessing on-field penalties as required.

The referee has the power to send off any member of a team, whether on the field or off.  The referee also may send off any member of coaching or support staff.  The referee is also empowered to send off (red card) any spectator who is being disruptive or abusive to players, coaches or officials.  All individuals who are sent off must leave the “playing enclosure,” which essentially is all areas of the field and the area surrounding it.

The referee is the sole judge of whether a field is suitable for play, and if a player’s dress and equipment are within the Laws.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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