I watched the opening match of the Rugby World Cup between Japan and Russia. An open and entertaining match albeit strewn with errors. The best and most refreshing aspect of the game was Nigel Owens refereeing. His non-stop commentary was a joy. He constantly informed the players of the laws and reasons for decisions, he warned player when they were close to an offence with a "release the ball" when the player did he followed up with "good man, well done". His decisions were all spot on at one stage he even commiserated with one of the Japanese players with "sorry mate, it was bad luck but accidental offside". He was encouraging players with "good kick" "great tackle". It came over that he was really enjoying the game and his part in refereeing. Throughout the game the players responded with complete respect. I couldn't help but draw the comparison with football and how players have little respect for the ref. Constantly in his face swearing and challenging every decision.
He's a lovely man. Was lucky enough to meet him at Newcastle during the 2015 World Cup when I was working with the Medical Team. He was referee for South Africa v Scotland and after the game he was happy to chat over a cuppa. I think it was an incident free game, although it may have been that game where he cautioned a Scottish player for feigning contact. The whole ethos of Rugby is very different to football, on and off the pitch. I think the RFU generally clamp down on indiscipline much more than the football authorities too, backing their referees. But saying that, I think Rugby refs are generally more open because they are "miked-up" and it works both ways, they explain decisions and also acknowledge when they are wrong. Owens took up refereeing because he wasn't good enough or strong enough to play for his school team. He describes an incident that convinced him to quit playing when his school rugby coach compared him to JPR Williams. Apparently he was told "Nigel, compared to the great JPR Williams, you're f@£!ng useless".
Yes, Nigel Owens is a good guy (catch up on his Desert Island Discs appearance on BBC podcasts) but I am not sure how many Japanese players would have understood "sorry mate, it was bad luck but accidental offside" . unless he translated it. 申し訳ありませんが、運は悪かったのですが、偶然のオフサイド!
Totally agree with all that George. This is why I love the game, even though I took it up late in life, and only played for a few years. FIFA/ UAFA / FA, etc. Are always going on about their Respect campaigns, but if they were serious about it, they could easily do something. I hate to see referees running backwards, being surrounded by players, manhandled, the finger / card wagging gestures (I hate the disrespect of this). They are all talk!
Top ref is Nigel. Had a few in my RL playing days who were encouraging, informative and fair, like him. Only football ref I've ever liked was Pierluigi Collina.
It’s a top game, if you like watching people cow it from one end of the field to the other, and enjoy random penalties being given for god knows what.
That's not quite a literal translation, using the first person singular means the ref was having the bad luck and the term for accidental offside is not offside coincidence. But a good effort.
