THE  REFEREE,  PENALTIES  AND  CARDS

Firstly, I wish to state my complete agreement with what André and Dan de Villiers has said concerning cards and penalties.  So often the action of the referee in this regard influences the result of a match.  This is always regrettable,  Sure, there are instances where the referee has no choice, but I would suggest a referee should be especially careful when this sort of situation exists or could happen.  Penalise in the way that the infringement / offence warrants, but be very careful of awarding technical penalties in these situations.
A referee should not use a card to control a match / player(s).  As André mentioned you have probably then already lost control.  The answer is better man-management and proper communication.  I have often stated that when players are sent off , the referee in effect acknowledges that he cannot control the game further while that particular player is on the field!  Everybody does not agree with this statement, but just think about it for a moment.  Of course there are exceptions as there are to any and every rule.  It is the referee’s job to ensure a fair contest at all times  -- this is a basic requirement of the game.  I am not saying you should condone foul play  -- this should be dealt with accordingly, but is it still a fair contest if one team has less players on the field ?
One gets the impression that, asstated by André and Dan, referees count infringements and issue final warnings. This should be avoided at all costs. Issuing final warnings often has the result that the referee has painted himself into a corner and with the next infringement has left himself with no options.  Quite often the impression is created that a penalty / free kick infringement will be dealt with by awarding the kick  --  almost at all costs except    if fantastic advantage accrues.  A card should be a last resort.  We have seen too many games this season where a yellow card was issued when a penalty would have been quite sufficient.  And in too many instances cards and penalties have decided the result of the game  -- even two or three cards in a game, reducing a team to thirteen players.  We have even seen cards being waved around after less than ten minutes play  --  and this was not for foul play ! Ensure that the state, time and circumstances of the game warrants your action.
Penalties can often have the same effect.  Nobody wants the referee to turn a blind eye to glaring infringements / offences, but look at an actual example from a game during the past weekend or two : 
A ruck is taking place just left of one upright in team B’s 22. A wins possession and makes a mess of it.  The referee runs thirty metres to the right of posts and penalizes the outside centre for off-side.  Quite correct technically, but did this have any influence whatsoever on the game ?  The penalty allowed A to draw level with B with just a few minutes remaining.   
A tackle occurs and defending players go to ground, but fall clear of the passage of the ball and the attackers gain possession and continue play and then  knock on. A penalty is awarded against the players going to ground.  Did they influence possession or the run / continuity of play ?
The following suggestions are put forward :

• It is not effective management just to shout ruck / maul / tackle / release;
• It is not effective management to only talk to the captain(s) once or twice during the game ;
• It is good management to talk to an individual player(s) during  “down time”  --  tell the player “privately” ( eg when moving towards a line-out, scrum, etc) what the infringement was and that he was “saved”  by advantage being applied. Players will almost always react positively to individual (“private”) remarks  --  in fact they usually appreciate this action by a referee ;
• Manage all players all the time ;
• Talk to all players involved at a set piece if and when necessary.  Shouting general commands are not always effective ;

What are the requirements / characteristics of a good referee ?:

• The referee who knows when NOT to blow the whistle ;
• The referee that realises advantage is possible, in contrast to the one that waits to see if “something will happen”.  There is a difference !
• The referee that knows the laws (especially the definitions) and knows how to interpret and apply them ;
• The referee that establishes his authority on the game in the first 10 – 15 minutes by refereeing in such a way that players realise what will   and what will not be allowed  --  be very strict during this period and penalize do not allow players to get away with any indiscretions.  Talk to individuals !!;
• The referee should be especially strict on Law 10 offences during this period.  If you sort it out in the beginning you will eliminate most of the problems later ;
• The referee who looks for a reason NOT to award a penalty.  A penalty should only be awarded if the infringement influences possession, the run or continuity of play, hinders or obstructs an opponent , or is detrimental to the spirit and well-being of the game;
• Blow the game not the laws  --  allow the game  “to breathe”

Enjoy the game and I wish everybody a successful season.
LOUIS WESSELS

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