Gosh, it has been a while since I have posted to my rugby blog. I have been very busy, my main reason for dropping back from coaching the u14 team to being an assistant coach for Sam who is managing the u15 Uni/Wests barbarians. Sam is a top-notch coach and a good guy, firm but fair with the kids in his approach, coming from first grade after sustaining an injury last season.
Some of the drills have brought a great deal more physicality and contact preparation including intense defensive drills on the goal line, tackling, wrestling, slapping face and knees - to increase confidence in contact, coordination and drive as a team. Penalties to the forwards for failing to grab and support a fellow forward are to run suicides - 10 push ups, run across the field and back, 10 push ups, and repeat ad nauseum. Fun, yeh right, and good for fitness.
The boys have had a tough season but have snaffled a few tries and won a couple of games playing as a combined, barbarians team because neither club had the numbers to field a side on their own. It has been gratifying to see the boys come together and for other Wests players, including u14s, to offer their support and to play for us.
Being a sucker for punishment, I went along to a few senior trainings and managed to play a half against the big boys of Midland. The huge Maori props explained why I was asked to prop after the second hooker declined. Notably we held up very well in the first half while I was on then the team went to uncontested scrums in the second half after I went off.
Aside from an improper scrum engagement on my part cracking a few ligaments in my neck that took many weeks to fully recover I think I had a very good game especially driving through to rucks and enabling our flankers to steal a few balls. The running took its toll and I found that I was a little slow sometimes getting to the breakdown and could not sprint when I wanted to. Sigh.
Robbie Deans the new coach of the Wallabies from across the Tasman has taken 5/5 wins against Ireland, France (twice), the South African Springboks and his home country New Zealand All Blacks, playing in Australia. The match against the Springboks at Subiaco in Perth a week ago was a revelation, a physical contest that also displayed great attacking skills from both sides.
The Wallabies dominated then and followed up in Sydney this week with a defensive pattern against the All Blacks and a rejuvenated scrum that took the All Blacks out of the game, leaving them without a platform to attack and nowhere to run. The match this weekend at Eden Park in Auckland will be telling if the Wallabies are a class above and can win away, in the process deflating the All Blacks home record.
The Tri Nations is wide open and more great rugby is about the only thing I can predict with any degree of certainty. Does anyone dare to pick a winner of the Bledisloe? The Wallabies are a chance to regain the Cup if we can win at Eden Park to make it 2/2 and making a real competition.
Tuesday, July 29, 2008
Sunday, September 23, 2007
Barbarians
I am reflecting on the fun I had through the ups-and-downs of what was, I suspect, a fairly typical season of junior rugby that ended with the annual Barbarians match between the University Home of the u14 boys and the Barbarians made up of parents, coaches and all-comers, including mums, sisters and brothers.
The match was won by the Barbarians who broke into the club song including some derogatory lines about the u14s lack of quality play and physical prowess, or lack thereof. I am told that the only alternative result is a draw since a draw is declared if the Home side end up ahead of the Barbarians. Included in the mostly-irrelevant score were a pair of mother-and-daughter tries after great setup work by the rest of the team. The u14 boys had several great runs through the game culminating in some impressive tries. More discipline in their ranks would probably have seen the boys win, umm draw, against their older, more-experienced opposition where intelligent play was the order of the say.
Some words about the modified laws of play. Nobody can run more than 20m in any direction without passing. No kicking except for penalty restarts. Enjoyable, balanced play without rough-house tackling - not to take the fun match too seriously. The referee laughably managed a couple of scrums with an Irish jig by the front rows and a short line out with the forwards on their knees. I refereed the first half and caused some commotion when I accidentally intercepted a wayward pass, oops. In a show off magnanimity, the whistle for the second half was handed to the boys who shared it among several hands, each with differing and sometimes interpretation of the law.
Followed by a barbecue, certificates awarded to the notable boys in lieu of trophies to be handed out at the proper, junior club presentation day later this month. I had a great, old time and I am fairly sure so did everyone else involved. The previous night we had the parents and coaches wind-up dinner at JB O'Reillys where we say the Wallabies defeat Wales I the group rounds of the World Cup. Several members of the club establishment were in the stadium in Cardiff, their luck!
Time to think about next season and how to stay involved during the season break - maybe a once-a-month touch rugby game to keep the boys coming together and to introduce new players to the game of rugby.
The match was won by the Barbarians who broke into the club song including some derogatory lines about the u14s lack of quality play and physical prowess, or lack thereof. I am told that the only alternative result is a draw since a draw is declared if the Home side end up ahead of the Barbarians. Included in the mostly-irrelevant score were a pair of mother-and-daughter tries after great setup work by the rest of the team. The u14 boys had several great runs through the game culminating in some impressive tries. More discipline in their ranks would probably have seen the boys win, umm draw, against their older, more-experienced opposition where intelligent play was the order of the say.
Some words about the modified laws of play. Nobody can run more than 20m in any direction without passing. No kicking except for penalty restarts. Enjoyable, balanced play without rough-house tackling - not to take the fun match too seriously. The referee laughably managed a couple of scrums with an Irish jig by the front rows and a short line out with the forwards on their knees. I refereed the first half and caused some commotion when I accidentally intercepted a wayward pass, oops. In a show off magnanimity, the whistle for the second half was handed to the boys who shared it among several hands, each with differing and sometimes interpretation of the law.
Followed by a barbecue, certificates awarded to the notable boys in lieu of trophies to be handed out at the proper, junior club presentation day later this month. I had a great, old time and I am fairly sure so did everyone else involved. The previous night we had the parents and coaches wind-up dinner at JB O'Reillys where we say the Wallabies defeat Wales I the group rounds of the World Cup. Several members of the club establishment were in the stadium in Cardiff, their luck!
Time to think about next season and how to stay involved during the season break - maybe a once-a-month touch rugby game to keep the boys coming together and to introduce new players to the game of rugby.
Saturday, July 28, 2007
A Winning Start to the Second Half of the Season
The Uni u14 boys smacked Joondalup White 31-13 after a shaky start. The first 15 minutes of rugby weren't pretty but hardly unexpected coming back from two weeks of school holidays. The cold, prematch warm ups in pouring rain didn't help either.
The distinguishing feature of the play today was the great teamwork in open and running play. In other matches, some fellows seemed duty bound to retain the ball in hand when the better choice for the team would be to pass the ball. Today the ball went through several pair of hands for each scoring action. Some standout driving runs by Jacques, Rupert and Sam allowed others to score, great tackling (as all season) by Lochie and support play by most of the team paid handsome dividends. Special mention to the forwards as a group retaining possession from our own line outs with Nick jumping in his now-regular number two position, and Dougie throwing as hooker.
Behind at the half time break, the addition of fresh legs into the field equation of Clay and Kevin from Wests provided a much-needed boost to set off a try-scoring extravaganza in the second half. Even playing into the wind did not dent our sails as the boys went from well behind to a point in front then sealed the result by making the most of their opportunities. Continued pressure in the rucks and multiple phases - now that the boys have learned not to turnover possession cheaply - led directly to a couple of tries scored through strong drives to the goal line.
Well done! A winning start to the second half of the season cements our team goal to win a few more and to make team work a key element of play.
Colin from 1st Grade helped us out with more work on the tackle and ruck just before the mid season school break. This sort of input from experienced and technically adept players is extremely important to developing the best skills in the youngsters. While my own coaching has improved through the season - mirroring the boys own lift in game - the regular input from Tony, Dom, Gordon and others like Mitch, Patrick and Colin makes a positive difference.
The distinguishing feature of the play today was the great teamwork in open and running play. In other matches, some fellows seemed duty bound to retain the ball in hand when the better choice for the team would be to pass the ball. Today the ball went through several pair of hands for each scoring action. Some standout driving runs by Jacques, Rupert and Sam allowed others to score, great tackling (as all season) by Lochie and support play by most of the team paid handsome dividends. Special mention to the forwards as a group retaining possession from our own line outs with Nick jumping in his now-regular number two position, and Dougie throwing as hooker.
Behind at the half time break, the addition of fresh legs into the field equation of Clay and Kevin from Wests provided a much-needed boost to set off a try-scoring extravaganza in the second half. Even playing into the wind did not dent our sails as the boys went from well behind to a point in front then sealed the result by making the most of their opportunities. Continued pressure in the rucks and multiple phases - now that the boys have learned not to turnover possession cheaply - led directly to a couple of tries scored through strong drives to the goal line.
Well done! A winning start to the second half of the season cements our team goal to win a few more and to make team work a key element of play.
Colin from 1st Grade helped us out with more work on the tackle and ruck just before the mid season school break. This sort of input from experienced and technically adept players is extremely important to developing the best skills in the youngsters. While my own coaching has improved through the season - mirroring the boys own lift in game - the regular input from Tony, Dom, Gordon and others like Mitch, Patrick and Colin makes a positive difference.
Saturday, June 23, 2007
Rounds to Date
The u14 boys did themselves and us proud with a well deserved win defeating Rockingham Jesters today in a 4 try to nil whitewash. All converted by Rob including a glorious kick from near the 10m line to give a final score of 28-0 after several weeks of steady improvement and growing signs of the skills and will to win. In particular the boys' play at the breakdown has come forward in leaps and bounds to the point where they confidently contest for opposition ball and show some much-needed desparation to retain their own ball and to make distance over the advantage line. Well done, to the boys, supporters and coaches, and well played.
The past few weeks have involved intensive work on the breakdown, rucks and mauls for the forwards and specialised work - many thanks for Buddha and Mitch alongside Tony - for the backs. We had a bye followed by an unworthy loss to Palmyra last week when cooperative team work would have won the day. However the disappointing play and dropped passes was eclipsed by some physical and even brutal interplay from a couple of the opposition directed specifically to one of our bigger and stronger players. To his credit, the lad held up well and kept his frustration in check to stop from lashing out at the aggressor in spit of heavy bruising and cuts to his back, chest and arms. Stays on the field and its over; Palmyra are our friends and we are borrowing some of their surplus players to make up our numbers. Hearty thanks to Paul, their coach, and the club!
At training the u14s have become more focussed largely because the leaders have encouraged and coerced their team mates to pull their heads in and to work hard at training. Recognising that training for one and a quarter hours, once a week is not much however a solid effort, paying attention to their coaches, positively supporting each other physically and mentally in their preparation is paying dividends. Rucks, for example, often start off scrappy without adequate player support until the group switches on. Similarly, the backs may lack commitment onto the ball in attack and readiness to leap forward in defence. After several passages of skill play using a variety of configurations the team steps up and delivers, driving in support and repositioning for multiple phases of play. Still need a lot more work in the restarts for scrums and lineouts; tough getting a full set of forwards at training or even a regular tight-five to the match.
It was most gratifying to see the same kinds of positive behaviour reflected on the field. Good physical support in rucks and mauls. Great mental support, positive play, communication and encouragment. From potential winners to knowing how it feels to win.
The past few weeks have involved intensive work on the breakdown, rucks and mauls for the forwards and specialised work - many thanks for Buddha and Mitch alongside Tony - for the backs. We had a bye followed by an unworthy loss to Palmyra last week when cooperative team work would have won the day. However the disappointing play and dropped passes was eclipsed by some physical and even brutal interplay from a couple of the opposition directed specifically to one of our bigger and stronger players. To his credit, the lad held up well and kept his frustration in check to stop from lashing out at the aggressor in spit of heavy bruising and cuts to his back, chest and arms. Stays on the field and its over; Palmyra are our friends and we are borrowing some of their surplus players to make up our numbers. Hearty thanks to Paul, their coach, and the club!
At training the u14s have become more focussed largely because the leaders have encouraged and coerced their team mates to pull their heads in and to work hard at training. Recognising that training for one and a quarter hours, once a week is not much however a solid effort, paying attention to their coaches, positively supporting each other physically and mentally in their preparation is paying dividends. Rucks, for example, often start off scrappy without adequate player support until the group switches on. Similarly, the backs may lack commitment onto the ball in attack and readiness to leap forward in defence. After several passages of skill play using a variety of configurations the team steps up and delivers, driving in support and repositioning for multiple phases of play. Still need a lot more work in the restarts for scrums and lineouts; tough getting a full set of forwards at training or even a regular tight-five to the match.
It was most gratifying to see the same kinds of positive behaviour reflected on the field. Good physical support in rucks and mauls. Great mental support, positive play, communication and encouragment. From potential winners to knowing how it feels to win.
Friday, May 11, 2007
Round 3
In the spirit of the game Palmyra kindly loaned us several players to make up u14 numbers. In theory we have a full complement of players now but reality bites with injuries and no-shows so extras are welcome. Since Palmyra has a surplus of players the opportunity to give them a run with our Uni boys is worthwhile all around.
Today our boys put in a much-improved showing against Joondalup White going down by three points in a try-by-try extravaganza of scoring - 4 tries plus 1 conversion won over our 3 tries plus 2 conversions - 22-19. The boys demonstrated great heart in solidly working the ruck and getting the ball out to their fast running backs, especially in the second half, along with solid tackling and good support.
Credit to tony for doing all the work managing the team and running the touch line today while I stood quietly by since I am mildly afflicted by a cold and an annoying cough meaning I also skipped refereeing. At training on Thursday night where I deferred to Tony and Dom someone commented that I looked like the ManU manager Sir Alex Ferguson standing on the sidelines in my suit and tie absent chewing on gum!
Today our boys put in a much-improved showing against Joondalup White going down by three points in a try-by-try extravaganza of scoring - 4 tries plus 1 conversion won over our 3 tries plus 2 conversions - 22-19. The boys demonstrated great heart in solidly working the ruck and getting the ball out to their fast running backs, especially in the second half, along with solid tackling and good support.
Credit to tony for doing all the work managing the team and running the touch line today while I stood quietly by since I am mildly afflicted by a cold and an annoying cough meaning I also skipped refereeing. At training on Thursday night where I deferred to Tony and Dom someone commented that I looked like the ManU manager Sir Alex Ferguson standing on the sidelines in my suit and tie absent chewing on gum!
Friday, May 4, 2007
Round 2
I have tried to avoid talking about the Western Force because there is already a healthy band of professional commentators who do such a great job. As the season wound down to a disappointing loss to the deserving Blues last night at Subiaco Oval I reflect on how much I have enjoyed the rugby being played over this, their second season, and their first season last year.
As a whole, the Super 14 competition has not displayed a great amount of grand, free-flowing rugby - most of what we have seen of that flavour has been from the New Zealand teams compared to the dour brand of rugby in favour with South African and Australian teams. I believe the Force has demonstrated strength as an Australian province and built their own, unique brand of running, driving rugby, albeit with a fair sprinkling of solid defence as demanded by todays game.
Great kudos for RugbyWA for making this happen at the professional level and I may voice my enormous appreciation for how this has flowed on down into community rugby via the likes of Mitch Hardy, Manager of Community Development and Patrick Hannigan, one of the RugbyWA development officers I know from Uni Rugby Club, and others like them. Except for last nights games, the exceptional quality of coaching and technical development has been evident in the quality ball handling of the players. The next generation of players coming through local club will deliver even better skills as a result of these grassroots efforts that help to deliver quality coaching to club players.
Uni u14s had to forfeit yet again because we were short players but the boys hammered the opposition in the scratch match that the good-natured opposition elected to play anyway - good for the boys confidence and show their good skills. We have actually been relegated to the Black (second) division at our request after being promoted on last seasons performance to the Swan (first division) based on form in the second half of the season. Noticably the team is starting to gel as a unit rather than simply playing as individuals - apart from the odd, selfish, winding run across and up field - and the preparation from playing the top two teams in the Swan division over the past two matches prior to this one means the boys are playing a cut above their opposition. Many thanks to Kalamunda Red for sharing their players and being so friendly.
With returns from injury and being away we should have a full team for the first time next week. It would appear that the boys are likely to stay at the top end of the ladder in the lower division instead of remaining in the bottom half of the higher division. Perhaps they will do better next year as u15s when they may be physically and mentally ready to step up again.
I reffed again this week and did a better job this time so I am showing improvement - still got significant and welcome feedback from the referee-coach on where I can improve. My hand signals and whistle blowing need improvement for one thing. I have overcompensated from last week being off the attack line to running back and forth as the ball travels from players hand to hand - when I should be staying in line with the ball until tackle, ruck or maul forms when I should seek out the attack line. Similar for lineouts where I tend to overmanage and place the players (like a coach) rather than give simple instructions to, for example, form up on the 5m line and other players to step back to 10m.
One area I showed good improvement - similar to other beginner refs - was signalling and playing advantage, calling penalties for offside and ruck infringements - none I which I managed to do last week while having narrow focus on the ball. While I played advantage, on more than one occasion I did so when there was no opportunity for the nonoffending team to gain an actual advantage so I should have blown the whistle immediately. Thanks to Jeff for his coaching suggestions on my efforts. I should also mention that Wanneroo Green and Arks both put in a great effort to score four tries a piece and were only separated by two conversions - it does not matter which way!
As a whole, the Super 14 competition has not displayed a great amount of grand, free-flowing rugby - most of what we have seen of that flavour has been from the New Zealand teams compared to the dour brand of rugby in favour with South African and Australian teams. I believe the Force has demonstrated strength as an Australian province and built their own, unique brand of running, driving rugby, albeit with a fair sprinkling of solid defence as demanded by todays game.
Great kudos for RugbyWA for making this happen at the professional level and I may voice my enormous appreciation for how this has flowed on down into community rugby via the likes of Mitch Hardy, Manager of Community Development and Patrick Hannigan, one of the RugbyWA development officers I know from Uni Rugby Club, and others like them. Except for last nights games, the exceptional quality of coaching and technical development has been evident in the quality ball handling of the players. The next generation of players coming through local club will deliver even better skills as a result of these grassroots efforts that help to deliver quality coaching to club players.
Uni u14s had to forfeit yet again because we were short players but the boys hammered the opposition in the scratch match that the good-natured opposition elected to play anyway - good for the boys confidence and show their good skills. We have actually been relegated to the Black (second) division at our request after being promoted on last seasons performance to the Swan (first division) based on form in the second half of the season. Noticably the team is starting to gel as a unit rather than simply playing as individuals - apart from the odd, selfish, winding run across and up field - and the preparation from playing the top two teams in the Swan division over the past two matches prior to this one means the boys are playing a cut above their opposition. Many thanks to Kalamunda Red for sharing their players and being so friendly.
With returns from injury and being away we should have a full team for the first time next week. It would appear that the boys are likely to stay at the top end of the ladder in the lower division instead of remaining in the bottom half of the higher division. Perhaps they will do better next year as u15s when they may be physically and mentally ready to step up again.
I reffed again this week and did a better job this time so I am showing improvement - still got significant and welcome feedback from the referee-coach on where I can improve. My hand signals and whistle blowing need improvement for one thing. I have overcompensated from last week being off the attack line to running back and forth as the ball travels from players hand to hand - when I should be staying in line with the ball until tackle, ruck or maul forms when I should seek out the attack line. Similar for lineouts where I tend to overmanage and place the players (like a coach) rather than give simple instructions to, for example, form up on the 5m line and other players to step back to 10m.
One area I showed good improvement - similar to other beginner refs - was signalling and playing advantage, calling penalties for offside and ruck infringements - none I which I managed to do last week while having narrow focus on the ball. While I played advantage, on more than one occasion I did so when there was no opportunity for the nonoffending team to gain an actual advantage so I should have blown the whistle immediately. Thanks to Jeff for his coaching suggestions on my efforts. I should also mention that Wanneroo Green and Arks both put in a great effort to score four tries a piece and were only separated by two conversions - it does not matter which way!
Saturday, April 28, 2007
Round 1
T'was a big day for me and the boys. The Uni u14s were playing short of a team - all's the pity we can't field a full 15-man side - but can hold their heads high after scoring a try and holding last years u13s finalists Kalamunda to a win margin that could have been larger - about the same as the Western Force in NZ *grin* - the u14s fought valiantly to frustrate several more attempts by the well-oiled and experienced Kalamunda team.
Due credit to Kalamunda who showed great spirit in loaning Uni a few of their players and putting in a good showing. A few of their boys clearly have great potential that is enhanced by playing midweek in the CSC - Community Schools Competition. So Round 1 of the season proper is a second trial for the Uni u14s and we need to find a few more players and to get the team training and playing together in order to demonstrate the strong, winning match results that the positive play, running and ball skills of the backs deserve.
The forwards are great boys but not a proper unit having only practiced and played twice together without contested scrums and without eight or more full-time players in forward positions. Being a forward myself, I know it takes time and practice to build a unit that can function at the set pieces - scrum and lineout - and excel at the ruck. The boys rucking skills, by the way, are moving onto excellence largely as a result of the skills work done by the boys in training under Dom's supervision.
Some of the holes in play are a result of a lack of positional awareness, for example, the backs standing too deep in defensive alignment and the forwards not covering restarts and the field width fully effectively. Of course it's tough to dig yourself out of a ruck and run behind the back line or loop behind from the centres to the wing in order to cover the touch line but it has to be done properly and covered in training if we are going to save the easy tries down the touch line.
Great preparation in the Gold division the team will revert to the Swan division next week where they should dominate, if we can field a full team, having been tested by the top two teams from last year in the trial and first round matches.
Today I refereed a rugby match for the first time - Neddies vs Kalamunda in the u12s - and I appreciate all the support from Rugby WA and the Referees Association, the coaches players and parents in giving me the opportunity. It was tough out there in the middle and with Charles' ref coaching I improved in the second half by a small margin but my efforts were not really up to scratch - missing knock forwards, offside players, odd hand signals, not properly playing advantage, and so on. Rather than give a blow by blow account of the match instead I will note that I have a lot of improvement and a little potential to be a good ref - the boys from both teams, however, fought a well-matched contest that looked like going down to the wire until Nedlands upped the tempo to outscore Kalamunda in the second half.
Perhaps I will put down a few words about the work of Anthony O'Shea in vesting me with the small confidence to take to the field. On Wednesay evening a week ago, Anthony led a bunch of adults and youngsters through a course of preparation to assist us taking to the field - building on the Foundation Course earlier in the year - to emphasise the practical knowledge we need to conduct ourselves as referees. W/S/T or whistle-signal-talk is is good mnemonic for a ref to remember - along with field positioning, prematch preparation, scrum engagement, lineout and T/R/M or adjudicating tackle-ruck-maul.
Check the field, boots and mouthguards for each player, brief the front row on crouch-touch-pause-engage, the toss, touch judges, 20min halves for u11/12s and 25min for u13/14/15s. Position self on the Attack line, not the Middle line and certainly not the Defence line - watch offside, "get back" or "step back" and in the ruck, "hands gold off". In the u11/12s the scrum half must stay half way and not follow his peer on the other team all the way around the scrum. Max push 1m for u11/12s and 1.5m for others, "no more push" - scrum must not rotate more than 45 deg - reset and same team feed. Uncontested scrums - no contest for hook or pass by half back.
Tackle. Tackler must release player, roll away and make an effort to get on his feet - penalise if prevents tackled player from playing the ball. Tackled player must play the ball - place, pass, pop or roll the ball - roll away and attempt to get on his feet, "release the ball" or "let go." Arriving players must enter through the gate, stay on their feet and play the ball. In a ruck the ball is on the ground and two players, one from each side, are bound above the ball. Player arriving looks like plane landing - negative, denying the ball - or like plane taking off - positive, taking player out.
Ruck. Ball is on the ground, players bind on back feet, "we've got a ruck"; unsuccessful end to a ruck - ball goes to team going forward. Maul. Three players; collapsed mauls are dangerous - blow it (safe environment, same for player popping up in scrum); lots of 'em - tackled players not brought to ground. Lineout. 5 players in lineout, 10m defenders, gap 1m, pregripping allowed, support - not lift.
That's all - a few helpful tips fron Anthony that a ref should know in addition to good knowledge of the laws - thanks!
Due credit to Kalamunda who showed great spirit in loaning Uni a few of their players and putting in a good showing. A few of their boys clearly have great potential that is enhanced by playing midweek in the CSC - Community Schools Competition. So Round 1 of the season proper is a second trial for the Uni u14s and we need to find a few more players and to get the team training and playing together in order to demonstrate the strong, winning match results that the positive play, running and ball skills of the backs deserve.
The forwards are great boys but not a proper unit having only practiced and played twice together without contested scrums and without eight or more full-time players in forward positions. Being a forward myself, I know it takes time and practice to build a unit that can function at the set pieces - scrum and lineout - and excel at the ruck. The boys rucking skills, by the way, are moving onto excellence largely as a result of the skills work done by the boys in training under Dom's supervision.
Some of the holes in play are a result of a lack of positional awareness, for example, the backs standing too deep in defensive alignment and the forwards not covering restarts and the field width fully effectively. Of course it's tough to dig yourself out of a ruck and run behind the back line or loop behind from the centres to the wing in order to cover the touch line but it has to be done properly and covered in training if we are going to save the easy tries down the touch line.
Great preparation in the Gold division the team will revert to the Swan division next week where they should dominate, if we can field a full team, having been tested by the top two teams from last year in the trial and first round matches.
Today I refereed a rugby match for the first time - Neddies vs Kalamunda in the u12s - and I appreciate all the support from Rugby WA and the Referees Association, the coaches players and parents in giving me the opportunity. It was tough out there in the middle and with Charles' ref coaching I improved in the second half by a small margin but my efforts were not really up to scratch - missing knock forwards, offside players, odd hand signals, not properly playing advantage, and so on. Rather than give a blow by blow account of the match instead I will note that I have a lot of improvement and a little potential to be a good ref - the boys from both teams, however, fought a well-matched contest that looked like going down to the wire until Nedlands upped the tempo to outscore Kalamunda in the second half.
Perhaps I will put down a few words about the work of Anthony O'Shea in vesting me with the small confidence to take to the field. On Wednesay evening a week ago, Anthony led a bunch of adults and youngsters through a course of preparation to assist us taking to the field - building on the Foundation Course earlier in the year - to emphasise the practical knowledge we need to conduct ourselves as referees. W/S/T or whistle-signal-talk is is good mnemonic for a ref to remember - along with field positioning, prematch preparation, scrum engagement, lineout and T/R/M or adjudicating tackle-ruck-maul.
Check the field, boots and mouthguards for each player, brief the front row on crouch-touch-pause-engage, the toss, touch judges, 20min halves for u11/12s and 25min for u13/14/15s. Position self on the Attack line, not the Middle line and certainly not the Defence line - watch offside, "get back" or "step back" and in the ruck, "hands gold off". In the u11/12s the scrum half must stay half way and not follow his peer on the other team all the way around the scrum. Max push 1m for u11/12s and 1.5m for others, "no more push" - scrum must not rotate more than 45 deg - reset and same team feed. Uncontested scrums - no contest for hook or pass by half back.
Tackle. Tackler must release player, roll away and make an effort to get on his feet - penalise if prevents tackled player from playing the ball. Tackled player must play the ball - place, pass, pop or roll the ball - roll away and attempt to get on his feet, "release the ball" or "let go." Arriving players must enter through the gate, stay on their feet and play the ball. In a ruck the ball is on the ground and two players, one from each side, are bound above the ball. Player arriving looks like plane landing - negative, denying the ball - or like plane taking off - positive, taking player out.
Ruck. Ball is on the ground, players bind on back feet, "we've got a ruck"; unsuccessful end to a ruck - ball goes to team going forward. Maul. Three players; collapsed mauls are dangerous - blow it (safe environment, same for player popping up in scrum); lots of 'em - tackled players not brought to ground. Lineout. 5 players in lineout, 10m defenders, gap 1m, pregripping allowed, support - not lift.
That's all - a few helpful tips fron Anthony that a ref should know in addition to good knowledge of the laws - thanks!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
