The iRB has made its 3rd ruling of the 2010 season.  The Welsh Rugby Union questioned the referee's options if the attacking team kicks the ball into the defenders in-goal and it cannot be determined who was responsable for making the ball dead (ie grounding or into touch).

See the attached response.

The Committee of Designated Members has made 2 rulings from questions by the Irish and Welsh Rugby Unions.

The 1st continues the saga of the evolution of the tackle.

The 2nd clarifies when a game can end... as a result of a brain cramp by a referee in a recent 6-Nations game.

Both rulings are attached.

What do you think?

France was leading in the 6 Nations game against Wales.  Late in the game Wales scored a try to make it closer. Following the try but before the kick off the game time ticked to 80 minutes. At the kick off, a French player (Michalak) dropped kicked the ball directly into touch (without going 10m).  The referee blew his whistle for full time.

Right call?  Should he have allowed the Welsh to have the option of scrum center, lineout at center or re-kick?

Below is an article published February 2, 20010 on the Rugbyrugby.com web site.  It was sent in by Trveor Arnold of Rugby Canada. A couple of comments from Trevor are included after the Rugbyrugby.com article.

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     At the National Referees' course at Newlands and the provincial Referees' course at Hartebeesthoek in January, scrumming dominated discussion of law application. Scrumming is one of the Big Four along with Tackle, Offside and Maul.

Attached are two articles obtained through the Australian Rugby Union.

They discuss the psychological side of refereeing: control in a match and dealing with frustration.

Burnaby Lake Clubhouse

6:00pm for 6:30pm

Burnaby Lake Clubhouse

6:00pm for 6:30pm

Burnaby Lake Clubhouse

6:00pm for 6:30pm

Burnaby Lake Clubhouse

6:00pm for 6:30pm

Rugby Canada has just announced their 2010 High Perfomance Panels.  Please see attached Pathway document and congratulations to Sherry Trumbull with her promotion to the panel from the focus group, Gerry Clayton with his move from high performance refereeing to the coaching succession planning and to Pat, Bryan, Dave and Al for maintaining their spots on the National Panel.

National Panel of Referees: