This week, SARU’s Manager of Referees, Andre Watson, steps into the Hotseat, dealing with issues ranging from scrums to rucks and more.

Question: Why is there no consistency among refs when it comes to the rucks and mauls? Why can’t the linesmen not be given power? – Graham Werner.

Answer: With respect Werner, it is not correct that there is no consistency. Perhaps there are some inconsistencies at times. The tackle/ruck occures the most – on average 180 times in a game. The players enter at speed and everyone is frantically trying to either win or protect the ball. The referee is to check that this happens fairly. The referees make between two and eight mistakes in a game when each and every incident is analysed through a computer programme specially designed for this purpose. This relates to a success/accuracy rate of above 95%. The AR’s (linesman as you call them) should only advise when the referee is unsighted, they are not to co-referee the match as then accountability goes out the back door. I trust this provides more clarity.

Question: Will Nonu’s light sentence be the benchmark for the season or can we expect double standards again this year? – Brendan

Answer: Brendan this question should actually be addressed to the judiciary department as the referee’s job finishes when the final whistle blows.

Question: Jonker warned the Bulls about constant offsides, the next penalty was for offside. Why wasn’t a yellow card given? – Brendan

Answer: Very good question Brendan. The referee normally gives a general warning when there is a tendency of repeated infringements. He then will card if there is a blatant disregard. In other words, one should not sit on the edge of one’s seat once a warning is given expecting a card at the next occasion it occurs. I am stating this as there are many factors taken into account such as time elapsed between warning and next infringement as well as phases, incidents and position on field. Now, back to the game, I also provided feedback to Marius and expressed my view that he was a touch too tolerant in a certain period. He explained his thinking and process and I am happy with that. Lastly, it is very different from experiencing the vibe and mood as positive or negative by watching on TV as opposed to being on the field. The referees and players have the best feel for this and believe me, the Lions would have brought it to Marius’s attention.

Question: Congrats on running a tight ship at the referees. Do you think all four our top men will make it to the World Cup in some capacity or another? Do they all deserve to be there? – Will Clarke

Answer: Hi Will, thanks for the kind words. The IRB intends to only take 10 referees as referees to the World Cup as opposed to the 16 previously. To expect that we will have 4 out of 10 in the world is steep, but something that I believe is possible. Realistically though, I would say we have a good chance of having 2 or 3 refs and 2 more as ARs/TMOs. Hope I do not jynx the guys’ chances by saying so, but I do believe in merit, hence my view.

Question: We’ve seen a lot of penalties for technical infringements at the scrums in the first weekend of Vodacom Super Rugby. I understand it’s a directive from the IRB. Can you please clarify the matter, Andre? – Joe de Wet

Answer: Hi Joe, the application at scrums is exactly the same as last year’s. Except that the IRB has directed that the referees show a zero tolerance for early engage, incorrect binding, hand on ground and individuals not scrumming straight. The background is that the resets in 2010 was reduced by 26% compared to 2009 simply due to the stricter application last season. We hope to reduce it further this year as it is blight on the game. With the greatest of respect: the players and coaches should take ownership as to scrumming within law. I am not sarcastic when I state that I have made many mistakes as a referee but did not once collapse a scrum – players do that. The bottom line is that the referees will penalise any illegalities at scrum time and the team players and coaches know that. I expect a postive flowing from this – let’s see…

Courtesy of SA Rugby