Pre-season is over - let battle commence in the leagues, starting with a trip to Berkshire in the renamed National Three south West on Saturday, followed by short jaunt to Wellington on Sunday.
But, is it any wonder that we as officials get more than our fair share of gob from the sidelines when - try as we might to referee to the latest directive from the iRB - even coaches (not all I admit) don't know the latest missives from on high?
Take this weekend, for example. A competitive pre-season trial game between two level 8 clubs.
Before the game (and bear in mind the league season is six days away) I mention to the coaches "are you happy with the latest directive about handling in the ruck post tackle?"
The response was "I thinks so. What was it again?" Now, it's pretty fair to say that the new directive will not be the easiest to interpret at our lowly levels, so you can be sure that when the season starts there will be a few people screaming "hands in ref", when in fact they are oblivious to the iRB's directive.
It would appear a great many coaches, and therefore players, won't have a clue about this latest ruling.
And even on Friday when I had the pleasure of covering Bath v Scarlets in a pre-season friendly at The Rec, the somewhat rather dull cries from the ill-informed rang out about "hands in".
In a nutshell, at the tackle, an arriving player (on his feet) can play the ball with his hands. When a defender makes contact and a ruck is formed, he is still allowed to go for the ball, whereas previously he (and the defence) would have to take their sticky paws off it.
Even on Sunday when refereeing a league club in a charity 7s tournament a player questioned me on this pearl of wisdom: Player - "ref, feeding's allowed in 7s isn't it?" Me - "excuse me, are you kidding?" Player - "No, no I'm not. I'm sure I was told it was OK."
He wasn't joking either. Lord help us all.
Still confused? Visit www.irb.com and see the light.
Monday, 31 August 2009
Thursday, 27 August 2009
Is there any wonder?
Well, is there? All unions are crying out for referees, so when you read that yet another top-flight official has had enough, one can't help but think why?
Why do people act like this? What prompts someone to take such drastic action as to abuse a match official in this way?
The name of our beloved sport has been dragged through the mud recently - eye-gouging, drug scandals, bloodgate - and now this.
Top South African referee resigns
Test referee Willie Roos has resigned from refereeing, prompting Andre Watson, referees' manager of the South African Rugby Union, to call on rugby supporters to return to traditional rugby values of respect towards officials.
Roos retired from refereeing after 15 years of training and experience after he was abused and had a drink flung in his face in Kimberley following an Currie Cup match. Some supporters blamed Roos for Griquas' defeat after they earned two yellow cards in the final ten minutes and succumbed to a late score from the Blue Bulls.
Roos is taking legal action against his assailant in Kimberley.
"Incidents like this and the criticism and abuse that our officials receive both from the stands and from the attendant publicity violates the spirit of rugby," said Watson.
"It takes many years and tens of thousands of rands to bring a referee through the ranks to be able to officiate at Currie Cup level, and to lose one because of the actions of a few hot-headed supporters and ill-informed media comment is desperately wasteful from a rugby point of view and personally very sad for Willie Roos.
"I'd like to thank him and pay tribute to him for the many thousands of hours he has given to the game in usually unglamorous surroundings and at times that have taken him away from his family. We tried to talk him out of his decision, but he told us that 'enough is enough'."
In his letter of resignation Roos said that refereeing had given him many great friends and taken him all over the world, but that his passion for the game had gone.
"I have made mistakes in my career but they were never intentional and I always tried my best. But I fail to understand how the decisions of referees are blamed for winning and losing matches but those of coaches and players are not," read the letter.
"I was taught never to swear at or criticise players or coaches when I was a youngster but I have experienced it in abundance - particularly in the last two years. The off-the-field abuse has caused considerable embarrassment and heartache to me and my family and this latest incident told me it was time to quit the game I love and cherish."
Watson said that Roos's application of the Law leading to the yellow carding of two Griquas players against the Blue Bulls could not be faulted, from a Law point of view. He added that replacing a referee of Roos's calibre and experience was far from straightforward.
"He has refereed nine Test matches, 14 Super games and more than 30 Currie Cup matches. Experience like that takes seasons to accumulate," said Watson.
"Willie was one of the top ten referees in South Africa and it is tragic to lose him at the tender age of 34, when he should have been available to service SA Rugby for at least ten more years.
"The Kimberley match was the last straw in the Willie's case. Referees know that our role is potentially controversial and that there will definitely be criticism, but when it becomes physical and personal in nature, then a line has been crossed.
"Whilst we have a policy of admitting mistakes in public and continuously attempting to educate the public and supporters regarding the law and its application, we find it increasingly irrational to blame everything on the refereeing every time."
http://www.planetrugby.com/story/0,25883,16024_5516289,00.html
Nations Cup
USA v Canada - 15-10
What a game to be involved with. Women's rugby does have its critics, but before the ill-informed shoot their mouths off about the sport, they may want to pop along and watch the odd game or two.
This North American battle pitted hosts Canada (ranked fourth in the world) against the USA, who finished fifth at the 2006 World Cup and who had not beaten the US since 2006.
The Canucks were the firm favourites to win the clash as they had also beaten their neighbours two months ago in a Can-Am clash in Colorado, 25-17.
While there were the usual higher-than-normal numbers of scrums than one may associate with the men's game, this was a cracker of a game.
Quite often as a referee I don't remember a match in as much detail as, for example, is written in a match report, but I knew from the outset that any sport involving a Canada v USA match-up was going to be intense - and it was.
These teams are building for next year's World Cup in England, and a tough encounter ensued. I remember the close-fought nature of the game and the intensity under which it was played, and at 10-10 in the second half, with the Canadian fly-half missing a conversion, there was everything to play for.
And so when the hosts went over for a try in the final quarter, one wondered what the response would be. Neither team surpassed the other, they were both evenly matched, and to write-off the US would have been foolish.
The US fought back with plenty of belief and a try in the final minute of the game sparked scenes of celebrations at the final whistle - it was if I'd just blown time on the World Cup final, such was their joy at beating the Canadians.
But for me the team of the tournament was by far South Africa. Having played dismally in the World Cup three years ago, the improvement in the squad is staggering.
The success of their 7s team has helped enormously and having a few experienced heads in the squad will help them in their quest for next year.
If they can get their forwards a lot fitter and conditioned, and sort out their set piece play, they will cause a few upsets next year.
But, having said all that, it's such a shame the team's success (they drew with Six Nations side France 17-17) appears to have missed the sporting media spotlight down south.
Bad timing maybe? (what with the SARU having recently been fined by the iRB for its farcical armband protest) - I doubt it.
And as for Total Rugby (the iRB-sponsored television show) following the England squad in Toronto? Hmmm... maybe their cameras would have been better off following the Springboks?
What a game to be involved with. Women's rugby does have its critics, but before the ill-informed shoot their mouths off about the sport, they may want to pop along and watch the odd game or two.
This North American battle pitted hosts Canada (ranked fourth in the world) against the USA, who finished fifth at the 2006 World Cup and who had not beaten the US since 2006.
The Canucks were the firm favourites to win the clash as they had also beaten their neighbours two months ago in a Can-Am clash in Colorado, 25-17.
While there were the usual higher-than-normal numbers of scrums than one may associate with the men's game, this was a cracker of a game.
Quite often as a referee I don't remember a match in as much detail as, for example, is written in a match report, but I knew from the outset that any sport involving a Canada v USA match-up was going to be intense - and it was.
These teams are building for next year's World Cup in England, and a tough encounter ensued. I remember the close-fought nature of the game and the intensity under which it was played, and at 10-10 in the second half, with the Canadian fly-half missing a conversion, there was everything to play for.
And so when the hosts went over for a try in the final quarter, one wondered what the response would be. Neither team surpassed the other, they were both evenly matched, and to write-off the US would have been foolish.
The US fought back with plenty of belief and a try in the final minute of the game sparked scenes of celebrations at the final whistle - it was if I'd just blown time on the World Cup final, such was their joy at beating the Canadians.
But for me the team of the tournament was by far South Africa. Having played dismally in the World Cup three years ago, the improvement in the squad is staggering.
The success of their 7s team has helped enormously and having a few experienced heads in the squad will help them in their quest for next year.
If they can get their forwards a lot fitter and conditioned, and sort out their set piece play, they will cause a few upsets next year.
But, having said all that, it's such a shame the team's success (they drew with Six Nations side France 17-17) appears to have missed the sporting media spotlight down south.
Bad timing maybe? (what with the SARU having recently been fined by the iRB for its farcical armband protest) - I doubt it.
And as for Total Rugby (the iRB-sponsored television show) following the England squad in Toronto? Hmmm... maybe their cameras would have been better off following the Springboks?
Wednesday, 19 August 2009
Nations Cup
Match Day - Canada v USA. Kick-off 6.30pm.
9am - 10am - Breakfast with match observer and two other referees. Had a bit of a lie-in as enjoying relocation to a dorm with air-con. Am still resisting temptation to eat anything other than bowl of cereal. Pat on the back for me.
10am - 11am - Catch up with the news and sport back over via the wonder that is the internet. Drink coffee - freshly ground and brewed - and then go for a walk. Thankfully the humidity has dropped, although it's still quite warm, around 26C.
11am - 12pm - Meet Canadian coaches at their request to discuss a few issues and then walk down to the practice field to do the same with the Americans. All quite straightforward stuff and the usual questions arise around tackle/ruck and scrum. Agree time for kit check and brief.
12pm - 1.30pm - Become restless and find myself clock-watching. 6.30pm kick-offs are a nightmare - too much time to kill and little to occupy it. Drink another coffee, but am careful not to overdo the caffeine and climb the walls.
1.30pm - 2.30pm - Lunchtime. Again, spoilt for choice as there is always two choices for main course and a veggie option. I'm not a veggie, but the stir-fry looked good, so stocked up on that and loaded the plate with salad. I'm going to miss this when I get back to England.
Conscious of need to eat in plenty of time before kick-off, without then becoming hungry 30 minutes before the whistle. Resist another coffee, but opt for iced-tea. Am still not convinced on that one.
2.30pm - 3pm - Pre-match chat with touchjudges. It's normally carried out around an hour before kick-off, but my two TJs are on the game before mine, so we have to chat early as there's no time later. It's all pretty straightforward stuff, but we need to make sure we're singing off the same sheet.
3pm - 4.30pm - Review objectives and outcomes of first game and focus on objectives for this one. It's about now that the nerves kick in and I'm becoming restless. The first game of the day, England v South Africa, kicks off and so after a quick change into my game kit, it's off to the field to watch 30 minutes of the match. The field is less than 100m from my dorm - happy days.
5pm - 6.30pm - Chat with both teams', the usual front row and half-backs brief, and go for a warm up. Thankfully I can warm-up away from the rugby on the soccer pitches at the other side of the college. It's much easier to warm-up away from the hype of the games, although the heat doesn't seem to relent. A quick look at the watch confirms 20 minutes before kick-off, so it's back to the main field and all systems are set for game time.
Seconds out... round four here we come!
9am - 10am - Breakfast with match observer and two other referees. Had a bit of a lie-in as enjoying relocation to a dorm with air-con. Am still resisting temptation to eat anything other than bowl of cereal. Pat on the back for me.
10am - 11am - Catch up with the news and sport back over via the wonder that is the internet. Drink coffee - freshly ground and brewed - and then go for a walk. Thankfully the humidity has dropped, although it's still quite warm, around 26C.
11am - 12pm - Meet Canadian coaches at their request to discuss a few issues and then walk down to the practice field to do the same with the Americans. All quite straightforward stuff and the usual questions arise around tackle/ruck and scrum. Agree time for kit check and brief.
12pm - 1.30pm - Become restless and find myself clock-watching. 6.30pm kick-offs are a nightmare - too much time to kill and little to occupy it. Drink another coffee, but am careful not to overdo the caffeine and climb the walls.
1.30pm - 2.30pm - Lunchtime. Again, spoilt for choice as there is always two choices for main course and a veggie option. I'm not a veggie, but the stir-fry looked good, so stocked up on that and loaded the plate with salad. I'm going to miss this when I get back to England.
Conscious of need to eat in plenty of time before kick-off, without then becoming hungry 30 minutes before the whistle. Resist another coffee, but opt for iced-tea. Am still not convinced on that one.
2.30pm - 3pm - Pre-match chat with touchjudges. It's normally carried out around an hour before kick-off, but my two TJs are on the game before mine, so we have to chat early as there's no time later. It's all pretty straightforward stuff, but we need to make sure we're singing off the same sheet.
3pm - 4.30pm - Review objectives and outcomes of first game and focus on objectives for this one. It's about now that the nerves kick in and I'm becoming restless. The first game of the day, England v South Africa, kicks off and so after a quick change into my game kit, it's off to the field to watch 30 minutes of the match. The field is less than 100m from my dorm - happy days.
5pm - 6.30pm - Chat with both teams', the usual front row and half-backs brief, and go for a warm up. Thankfully I can warm-up away from the rugby on the soccer pitches at the other side of the college. It's much easier to warm-up away from the hype of the games, although the heat doesn't seem to relent. A quick look at the watch confirms 20 minutes before kick-off, so it's back to the main field and all systems are set for game time.
Seconds out... round four here we come!
Tuesday, 18 August 2009
Nations Cup
Observations from an English perspective
Positives
Friendly Canadians
Amazing scenery
Decent coffee
Sunshine
Great food prepared for you three times a day
Big pick-up trucks and big, wide roads
People in the service industry who actually enjoy their job
Niagara Falls
CN Tower
Negatives
Humidity
Mosquitoes
Dorms with no air-con
College campus with no bar within walking distance
No baked beans
Ice baths
Ques for CN Tower
Nations Cup
Nations Cup - down time
Generally speaking, the day following matchday is pretty laid back and uneventful.
Most of the time it's taken up by a post-match debrief with the match observer and a DVD review.
Occasionally one of the teams will request your presence at a DVD review so they can ask questions of certain decisions (or in some cases lack of them).
The only team to have asked this so far have been the South Africans, and it was a good meeting in which myself and the coaching staff learned of each others' interpretations.
It transpires that the South Africans, unlike the other nations here, have played very few international matches since the World Cup in 2006, so they are keen to learn referees' interpretations of certain events that take place on the field.
Most of the time coaches from the other nations tend to catch you for a chat over breakfast in the dining hall, although I'm not a morning person, so do my best to avoid contact until at least 10am when I'm a little more awake.
Monday, thou, was a little different after Sunday (match day three) in that we went to Niagara Falls - obviously a must-see when you're in this part of the world.
It was simply amazing and a trip on the boat that takes you right up to both the Canadian and American falls has to be done if you are to really appreciate the power and wonder of nature.
And it was nice to get away from rugby for a day. As much as we all love the sport, two weeks can be a long time and the danger of cabin fever at the campus creeps up as the days go by.
A worthwhile trip and a change of scenery - definitely good for the sporting soul.
Monday, 17 August 2009
Nations Cup
Nations Cup - Day Three
After a two-day break, taken up by a trip into downtown Toronto and the proverbial open-top bus tour around the city, it was back to work on Sunday.
Match day number three saw two touch-judging assignments (assistant referees for the purists out there) - USA v South Africa and France v Canada.
For the record, USA beat SA quite comfortably, although the game will be remembered for the SA's inability to listen to the referee and, if I'm honest, the inability to think for themselves.
Three yellow cards for failing to retreat 10m at a penalty in the attacking 22m was disappointing, but, try as she might, the referee could not get the SAs to listen. And they suffered for it.
The second game, though, threw up a shock result when France beat hosts Canada, who finished fourth at the World Cup in 2006.
And the second game saw a new record for me - a foul play flag less than two minutes in, but it didn't help that the comms broke down and the referee didn't get wind of the incident until the offending team where awarded a kickable penalty.
I wasn't flavour of the month on the hosts' bench, but then I wasn't the one who gave away a needless penalty less than 6ft from the TJ.
But it's all part of the fun and, as they say, the learning curve of officiating.
Another match day done and dusted - it's time for a well-earned pint.
After a two-day break, taken up by a trip into downtown Toronto and the proverbial open-top bus tour around the city, it was back to work on Sunday.
Match day number three saw two touch-judging assignments (assistant referees for the purists out there) - USA v South Africa and France v Canada.
For the record, USA beat SA quite comfortably, although the game will be remembered for the SA's inability to listen to the referee and, if I'm honest, the inability to think for themselves.
Three yellow cards for failing to retreat 10m at a penalty in the attacking 22m was disappointing, but, try as she might, the referee could not get the SAs to listen. And they suffered for it.
The second game, though, threw up a shock result when France beat hosts Canada, who finished fourth at the World Cup in 2006.
And the second game saw a new record for me - a foul play flag less than two minutes in, but it didn't help that the comms broke down and the referee didn't get wind of the incident until the offending team where awarded a kickable penalty.
I wasn't flavour of the month on the hosts' bench, but then I wasn't the one who gave away a needless penalty less than 6ft from the TJ.
But it's all part of the fun and, as they say, the learning curve of officiating.
Another match day done and dusted - it's time for a well-earned pint.
Time to go to work
Nations Cup Day Two
No-one likes waiting, so Thursday could not come quick enough for me. Finally, after four days, it was my turn to feel the nerves.
A 6.30pm kick-off though, like I mentioned before, presents one major problem - overcoming the anxiety of the wait. Canada versus South Africa was my game, while a Canadian colleague was taking charge of the France against England match at 4.30pm.
Breakfast was followed by a quick trip into town for coffee to break up the feeling of "cabin fever" that can exist when you're staying in one place for so long with not a great deal to do on site.
Lunch quickly came and went and then it was time to get set. The one thing that did concern me was the heat, or to be more accurate, the humidity.
Even at 6.30pm it still feels like 35C and you quickly find yourself "glowing". I was just hoping I didn't expire midway through the game!
Fortunately I did not, and the match unfolded into a cracker, with Canada winning 35-17, although the second half belonged to South Africa.
The Canadians came out of the blocks quickly and put three tries on the board early on, but the South Africans hit back and pushed the hosts all the way in the second period.
Game over and job done. Glad to have got the first game under my belt and, judging by the comments of the Welsh assessor, it was a good evening at the office.
Here's to game day three.
No-one likes waiting, so Thursday could not come quick enough for me. Finally, after four days, it was my turn to feel the nerves.
A 6.30pm kick-off though, like I mentioned before, presents one major problem - overcoming the anxiety of the wait. Canada versus South Africa was my game, while a Canadian colleague was taking charge of the France against England match at 4.30pm.
Breakfast was followed by a quick trip into town for coffee to break up the feeling of "cabin fever" that can exist when you're staying in one place for so long with not a great deal to do on site.
Lunch quickly came and went and then it was time to get set. The one thing that did concern me was the heat, or to be more accurate, the humidity.
Even at 6.30pm it still feels like 35C and you quickly find yourself "glowing". I was just hoping I didn't expire midway through the game!
Fortunately I did not, and the match unfolded into a cracker, with Canada winning 35-17, although the second half belonged to South Africa.
The Canadians came out of the blocks quickly and put three tries on the board early on, but the South Africans hit back and pushed the hosts all the way in the second period.
Game over and job done. Glad to have got the first game under my belt and, judging by the comments of the Welsh assessor, it was a good evening at the office.
Here's to game day three.
Sunday, 16 August 2009
Nations Cup - Match Day One
Nations Cup 2009
Day One: Monday saw the first fixtures of this year's competition; France v South Africa and England v USA and because of the heat, the kick-offs are scheduled for late afternoon - 4.30pm and 6.30pm.
Although it doesn't make much of difference as it is still baking and there's high humidity. And what is strange is that being based on a campus means no changing facilities like one would normally be used to. With the teams all being boarded in separate houses/dorms, the pre-match logistics of kit checks, front row briefs and coin tosses, etc, go a little out of sync.
But the killer with late kick-offs is the wait... like the players, you wake up and just want to get on with it... but you can't, and the hours drag by.
My work for the day consisted of fourth official for the first game and assistant referee for the second.
Having holidayed in France quite a lot, I can get by with the language, just, but trying to control the technical area and substitutions calls for a little more pigeon French than I can muster.
Having said that, the French are renown for their hand gestures and we eventually get along just fine - despite the fact they, like most of the teams, push the boundaries.
The second game saw England overcome a resilient USA side. It was a case of England's attack against the US's defence, but the team of the day for me were the South Africans.
Having refereed them in the World Cup (2006) against Australia, when they were quite honestly woeful, I was amazed at just how far they had come.
The 7s influence (they have their entire World Cup 7s team in the squad) is plain to to see, and their workrate and tackling is second-to-none.
They held France to a 17-17 draw, although were unlucky to lose as France scored in the final play to draw the game.
Day one is done, here's to day two, and my shot in the middle.
Saturday, 15 August 2009
Nations Cup
The first full day in Toronto (Sunday) was taken up with Rugby Canada's National Championships - a competition to see who would be crowned under-16, 17 and 19 champions.
And it was an ideal way to run off the flight and give the lungs a blow-out, while dodging the rain storms and mosquitoes. It's almost as if the rain followed from England and the mosquitoes sense fresh blood.
But a good day ensued and I had one appointment in the middle for British Columbia v Newfoundland and Labrador and a TJ and fourth official appointment. The BC v NL match was pretty one-sided, but fun and it beats going for a run.
The day also meant catching up with old faces whom I'd met on my travels over the years, some from the Women's World Cup in 2006, and some from as recent as last year.
And, of course, it also provided the opportunity to meet new people who were also going to be involved in the Nations Cup.
But the lasting memory of the Sunday has to be the huge storm that swept through in the evening. I have never seen anything like it and despite being in the comfort and relative safety of a monster 4x4 pick-up that Rugby Canada had rented for the duration of the tournament, it's fair to say I was petrified. Thunder and lightening like I've never seen, storm clouds as black as the night sky, rain like a power-shower and winds in excess of 100mph.
Toronto's famous CN Tower was hit five times between 7.30pm and 8pm, while we took shelter in a hotel lobby as the storm passed.
And I thought I'd left the rain in England...
And it was an ideal way to run off the flight and give the lungs a blow-out, while dodging the rain storms and mosquitoes. It's almost as if the rain followed from England and the mosquitoes sense fresh blood.
But a good day ensued and I had one appointment in the middle for British Columbia v Newfoundland and Labrador and a TJ and fourth official appointment. The BC v NL match was pretty one-sided, but fun and it beats going for a run.
The day also meant catching up with old faces whom I'd met on my travels over the years, some from the Women's World Cup in 2006, and some from as recent as last year.
And, of course, it also provided the opportunity to meet new people who were also going to be involved in the Nations Cup.
But the lasting memory of the Sunday has to be the huge storm that swept through in the evening. I have never seen anything like it and despite being in the comfort and relative safety of a monster 4x4 pick-up that Rugby Canada had rented for the duration of the tournament, it's fair to say I was petrified. Thunder and lightening like I've never seen, storm clouds as black as the night sky, rain like a power-shower and winds in excess of 100mph.
Toronto's famous CN Tower was hit five times between 7.30pm and 8pm, while we took shelter in a hotel lobby as the storm passed.
And I thought I'd left the rain in England...
Living the dorm life....
Nations Cup 2009
Apologies for the lack of posts, and it's not as if I can blame it on the time difference, but I am in the fortunate position to be based in Toronto for two weeks for the Nations Cup.
I arrived last Saturday and a week later I have still no got used to one thing - the humidity. The time difference/jet lag, etc, are a doddle compared to the humidity, although being based in a dorm with no air conditioning doesn't help.
The Nations Cup involves the women's national teams of Canada, England, France and South Africa and is based in Appleby College, Oakville. In fact, Gloucester trained here two seasons ago, and I'd love to know what they made of the rooms (all the teams and officials are based in dorms) and the lack of temperature control.
The setting is fabulous as the college is based on the shores of Lake Ontario and unless you've actually seen it, it is difficult to comprehend the size and expanse of one of the Great Lakes. With the towns of Oakville and Bronte a short drive away (walking it means you're a mass of perspiration within five minutes), local amenities are never far.
And so to a first night of sleep broken by the need to toss and turn as I try and get used to the fact that it's going to be warm... very warm.
Apologies for the lack of posts, and it's not as if I can blame it on the time difference, but I am in the fortunate position to be based in Toronto for two weeks for the Nations Cup.
I arrived last Saturday and a week later I have still no got used to one thing - the humidity. The time difference/jet lag, etc, are a doddle compared to the humidity, although being based in a dorm with no air conditioning doesn't help.
The Nations Cup involves the women's national teams of Canada, England, France and South Africa and is based in Appleby College, Oakville. In fact, Gloucester trained here two seasons ago, and I'd love to know what they made of the rooms (all the teams and officials are based in dorms) and the lack of temperature control.
The setting is fabulous as the college is based on the shores of Lake Ontario and unless you've actually seen it, it is difficult to comprehend the size and expanse of one of the Great Lakes. With the towns of Oakville and Bronte a short drive away (walking it means you're a mass of perspiration within five minutes), local amenities are never far.
And so to a first night of sleep broken by the need to toss and turn as I try and get used to the fact that it's going to be warm... very warm.
Friday, 7 August 2009
Be warned... bad joke alert
A Friday funny...
In the middle of a game, the referee suddenly blows his whistle to stop play when he sees a long funeral procession on the road that runs alongside the field.
He closes his eyes and bows his head in prayer.“Wow,” said the yellow-carded scrum-half. “That is the most thoughtful and touching thing I’ve ever seen. You truly are a kind man. I’ll never think badly of a referee again.”
The referee replies: “Thanks lad, we were married nearly 30 years.”
Yep - it's a bad one!
In the middle of a game, the referee suddenly blows his whistle to stop play when he sees a long funeral procession on the road that runs alongside the field.
He closes his eyes and bows his head in prayer.“Wow,” said the yellow-carded scrum-half. “That is the most thoughtful and touching thing I’ve ever seen. You truly are a kind man. I’ll never think badly of a referee again.”
The referee replies: “Thanks lad, we were married nearly 30 years.”
Yep - it's a bad one!
Wednesday, 5 August 2009
Well done on two accounts
Followers of Bath Rugby will have been kept busy these past few weeks and will no doubt be glad the RFU hearing in Messrs Lipman, Crockett and Higgins is over.
Briefly, the three have been banned for 9 months after they were found guilty of bringing the game into disrepute after failing on two occasions to attend drugs tests. (see the links to the right to thisisbath.co.uk for all the news).
Now, being privy as I am to goings on at Bath via the medium of the good old press conference, can I just say two things;
1 - How refreshing it is to have players put up for interview who actually speak their mind and seem passionate about the topic of conversation. Excellent choices by the squad to elect the "famous five" as player representatives - although Joe Maddock, as pleasant as he is, was a little on the quiet side. But then who good blame him when you're sat next to David Barnes and David Flatman.
2 - Well done the RFU for publishing in full the judgements into the Justin Harrision and Lipman/Crockett/Higgins hearings - a journalist's dream. Transparency the order of the day.
Here's to Bath Rugby moving on and putting the whole sorry saga behind it.
Now, who will be named captain?
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
