RateTheRef

So, the Autumn tests are due to start at the end of October into November and I thought I would kick the topic off with predictions for the main matches that have been announced so far.
There has been a lot of criticism aimed at the refereeing in the last 2 sets of windows in the summer and in the Rugby Championship with the main issues surrounding consistency in high tackles with the relevant sanction and also the sheer number of penalties being awarded resulting in a stop/start match with some officials coming into fire for wanting to be the centre of attention.
in fact, really only Gardner, Pearce & Amashukeli have not received so much backlash, Barnes, Peyper & Carley had people talking but not to the likes of Adamson, Berry, Doleman, Dickson, Williams, Murphy, Brace, O Keefe (to a degree) & Raynal have in the RC.
Now, whilst I'm not an advocate of the bashing BUT, I can't help feeling that some of the officiating has been mind blowing at times. I would also say WR need to get a grips with some of the laws and no doubt will be spelling out to their elite referees the issues and expectations during the next series.
Appointments will be due out in the next 10 days - and as a result of the problems I have made the predictions keeping officials away from certain nations. I don't see WR changing any plans with the current crop of referees so would expect Adamson, Amashukeli, Dickson Doleman & Murphy to feature in these appointments.
Here goes:

WEEK 1
Saturday 29th October 2022
Japan v New Zealand: Berry
Scotland v Australia: Amashukeli

WEEK 2
Saturday 5th November 2022
Italy v Samoa: Murphy (Aus)
Scotland v Fiji: Gardner
Wales v New Zealand: Pearce
Ireland v South Africa: O Keefe
France v Australia: Barnes

Sunday 6th November 2022
England v Argentina: Brace

WEEK 3
Saturday 12th November 2022
Ireland v Fiji: Amashukeli
Italy v Australia: Doleman
England v Japan: Williams
Wales v Argentina: Carley or Peyper
France v South Africa: Gardner

Sunday 13th November 2022
Barbarians v All Blacks XV: Brousett
Scotland v New Zealand: Dickson

WEEK 4
Saturday 19th November 2022
Italy v South Africa: Pearce
Wales v Georgia: Berry
Scotland v Argentina: Williams
England v New Zealand: Peyper
Ireland v Australia: Carley

Sunday 20th November 2022
France v Japan: Adamson

WEEK 5
Saturday 26th November 2022
Wales v Australia: O Keefe
England v South Africa: Raynal

I'm certainly no expert but watch a lot of Union and generally my predictions are wrong haha so I'm certainly not in the know!!
However, agree ref Gardner, Pearce and to an extent Barnes. Carley has grown into an excellent referee for me and I've never had any issue with Peyper (I know others on this site disagree with me). For me, these 5 (plus O Keefe) are probably the top in the world right now.
It's a shame CMK never really hit the heights on the world stage as I rated him generally. I think ultimately he knew that he would not move up the ladder under the current regime of Jutge (no idea why) after seeing the likes of Dickson, Ridley and more recently Leale move ahead of him on the world stage.This probably was a major factor in his decision to go part-time from this season ultimately ending his international career.
I think what's fundamentally interesting is that in the last 6 months a number of ex internationals and rugby commentators (particularly in the SH) have highlighted the stop/start play resulting in Rugby League moving ahead of the union code in terms of viewers. With France 23 around the corner, there are real concerns that it will not be the spectacle that we have seen in England 15 and Japan 19!!
The main factors revolve around the laws being far too complicated and officials taking the lime-light.
Now, my take is that i's is very clear to me we are not getting the quality matches that we have had the luxury of seeing going back 18 months. I agree  the laws are constantly evolving, I'm not sure that's the whole reason we see that much of a change that has made the sport so stop start. The sheer number of penalties are affecting the flow (Murphy gave 28 penalties against Argentina in the last fixture - that's just crazy!). Do we blame the officials or the laws? This for me needs to  be addressed ASAP!
I don't agree that referees try to take the spotlight. The reality is that whilst the likes of Garces, Poite & Gauzerre have retired, the majority of the panel of referees have remained stable over the past 3-4 years. So, is it the edicts coming from WR that's affecting the way the referee matches compared to 18 months ago?
Finally, players need to take responsibility in the way they tackle (in particular) which has resulted in a huge increase in the number of yellow/red cards which must have a factor in how the game pans out. This comes down to education and coaching.
As I said, WR really need to address these issues before France 23 otherwise we will continue to have the same issues with more people turning off and no-body wants that!

Dickson has improved immeasurably and may be a silent riser up the rankings.
The game needs speeding up but imho the law needs changing here. The sanction for messing around, delaying the match, is a scrum and we need those like a hole in the head. Free kick perhaps?
Secondly the breakdown is still a mess and Warburton highlighted another issue whereby players can and do roll someone out of the way. Neck rolls are illegal but if a leg or ankle is trapped serious injury can result from a body roll.
Barnes has a method of cutting out immaterial offences and allowing the game to flow. His reputation and record allows him leeway lesser or inexperienced referees perhaps do not get.

Most interesting Alfie75 thank you.  You mention Poite.  I guess he was another marmite referee and I really liked and appreciated his style though I appreciate not everyone did.  Barnes is clearly regarded as a world class referee, I'm sure correctly, so I have given some thought as to why I don't like the way he referees. I think it reminds me too much of a jobbing Counsel in the County Court.

Could that possibly be because Wayne is a barrister?

So, the appointments have been released and huge congrats to Wayne Barnes who will make history and IMHO 2 huge matches really cementing what WR believes that he is the number 1 ref in the world with Wales v New Zealand (Test 100) & France v S Africa (Test 101).
Congrats also to Peyper & Pearce who reach 60 & 40 tests themselves and pleased for the newbies of Ridley, Piardi & Busby. Interesting that Frank Murphy gets a game (not previously acting as referee for a number of windows).
Amashukeli rewarded with 2 games with Ireland v S Africa being another huge test for him - I think he now has 1 foot in the door for France as Adamson gets the lesser Italy v SA game, Dickson possibly the other one with Scotland v Argentina.
Doleman gets the interesting Eng v Jap match whilst Damon Murphy with 2 lesser teams after harsh criticism a couple of weeks ago.
I think it's safe to say that of the big hitters, Williams, Brace & Raynal have been punished for their efforts and stay out of the limelight (right decision).
Interesting that Berry gets the huge ENG v NZ game, he remains out of S Africa matches as expected!
Expected appointments for Pearce, Gardner, Carley, O Keefe & Peyper for me too.
As usual, my predictions were rubbish hahah!!
Full list via the link below
https://www.world.rugby/news/765959/barnes-to-set-new-record-as-world-rugby-announces-november-tests-appointments

Autumn internationals

1 October 2022
Japan XV v Australia A
Referee: Reuben Keane (RA)
ARs: Takehito Namekawa (JRFU) & Tasuku Kawahara (JRFU)
TMO: Minoru Fuji (JRFU)

8 October 2022
Japan XV v Australia A
Referee: Takehito Namekawa (JRFU)
ARs: Katsuki Furuse (JRFU) & Shuhei Kubo (JRFU)
TMO: Tomohiro Koyama (JRFU)

14 October 2022
Japan XV v Australia A
Referee: Angus Mabey (NZR)
ARs: Katsuki Furuse (JRFU) & Tasuku Kawahara (JRFU) 
TMO: Shuhei Kubo (JRFU)

29 October 2022
Japan v New Zealand
Referee: Nika Amashukeli (GRU)
ARs: Jordan Way (RA) & Graham Cooper (RA)
TMO: Marius Jonker (SARU)

Scotland v Australia
Referee: Luke Pearce (RFU)
ARs: Karl Dickson (RFU) & Christophe Ridley (RFU)
TMO: Stuart Terheege (RFU)

4 November 2022
Ireland A v All Blacks XV
Referee: Matthew Carley (RFU)
ARs: Adam Leal (RFU) & Luc Ramos (FFR)
TMO: Ian Davies (WRU)

5 November 2022
Spain v Tonga
Referee: Damon Murphy (RA)
ARs: Ludovic Cayre (FFR) & Adrien Marbot (FFR)

Scotland v Fiji
Referee: Nic Berry (RA)
ARs: James Doleman (NZR) & Adam Jones (WRU)
TMO: Brett Cronan (RA)

Italy v Samoa
Referee: Christophe Ridley (RFU)
ARs: Luke Pearce (RFU) & Katlil Harrison (USA)
TMO: Brendon Pickerill (NZR)

Wales v New Zealand
Referee: Wayne Barnes (RFU)
ARs: Karl Dickson (RFU) & Gianluca Gnecchi (FIR)
TMO: Brian MacNeice (IRFU)

Ireland v South Africa
Referee: Nika Amashukeli (IRFU)
ARs: Mathieu Raynal (FFR) & Andrea Piardi (FIR)
TMO: Stuart Terheege (RFU)

France v Australia
Referee: Jaco Peyper (SARU)
ARs: Ben O’Keeffe (NZR) & Craig Evans (WRU)
TMO: Tom Foley (RFU)

Romania v Chile
Referee: Mike Adamson (SRU)
ARs: Sam Grove-White (SRU) & Ben Blain (SRU)
TMO: Marius van der Westhuizen (SARU)

6 November 2022
Georgia v Uruguay
Referee: Paul Williams (NZR)
ARs: Anthony Woodthorpe (RFU) & Talal Chaudhry (RC)
TMO: Chris Hart (NZR)

England v Argentina
Referee: Andrew Brace (IRFU)
ARs: Frank Murphy (IRFU) & Pierre Brousset (FFR)
TMO: Marius Jonker (SARU)

10 November 2022
Munster v South Africa Select XV
Referee: Karl Dickson (RFU)
ARs: Adam Jones (WRU) & Ben Blain (SRU)
TMO: Sam Grove-White (SRU)

12 November 2022
Georgia v Samoa
Referee: Damon Murphy (RA)
ARs: Ludovic Cayre (FFR) & Talal Chaudhry (RC)
TMO: Matteo Liperini (FIR)

Romania v Uruguay
Referee: Pierre Brousset (FFR)
ARs: Adrien Marbot (FFR) & Jean Baptiste Nuchy (FFR)
TMO: Sean Brickell (WRU)

Spain v Namibia
Referee: Paul Williams (NZR)
ARs: Shota Tevzadze (GRU) & Kahlil Harrison (USA)

England v Japan
Referee: James Doleman (NZR)
ARs: Nic Berry (RA) & Craig Evans (WRU)
TMO: Eric Gauzins (FFR)

Ireland v Fiji
Referee: Jaco Peyper (SARU) Mathieu Raynal (FFR)
ARs: Tual Trainini (FFR) & Jordan Way (RA)
TMO: Chris Hart (NZR)

Italy v Australia
Referee: Brendon Pickerill (NZR)
ARs: Mathieu Raynal (FFR) Andrew Brace (IRFU) & Adam Leal (RFU)
TMO: Marius Jonker (SARU)

Wales v Argentina
Referee: Ben O’Keeffe (NZR)
ARs: Angus Gardner (RA) & Andrea Piardi (FIR)
TMO: Marius van der Westhuizen (SARU)

France v South Africa
Referee: Wayne Barnes (RFU)
ARs: Karl Dickson (RFU) & Christophe Ridley (RFU)
TMO: Brian MacNeice (IRFU)

Tonga v Chile (in Bucharest, Romania)
Referee: Luke Pearce (RFU)
ARs: Luc Ramos (FFR) & Ben Blain (SRU)
TMO: Brett Cronan (RA)

13 November 2022
All Blacks XV v Barbarians
Referee: Mike Adamson (SRU)
ARs: Sam Grove-White (SRU) & Gianluca Gnecchi (FIR)
TMO: Eric Gauzins (FFR)

Scotland v New Zealand
Referee: Frank Murphy (IRFU)
ARs: Andrew Brace (IRFU) & Chris Busby (IRFU)
TMO: Tom Foley (RFU)

17 November 2022
South Africa Select XV v Bristol Bears (at Ashton Gate, Bristol)
Referee: Adam Jones (WRU)
ARs: Ben Breakspear (WRU) & Rhys Jones (WRU)
TMO: Ian Davies (WRU)

19 November 2022
Tonga v Uruguay (in Bucharest)
Referee: Craig Evans (WRU)
ARs: Luc Ramos (FFR) & Anthony Woodthorpe (RFU)
TMO: Sean Brickell (WRU)

Romania v Samoa (in Bucharest)
Referee: Mathieu Raynal (FFR)
ARs: Eoghan Cross (IRFU) & Shota Tevzadze (GRU)
TMO: Thomas Charabas (FFR)

England v New Zealand
Referee: Nic Berry (RA)
ARs: Damon Murphy (RA) & Nika Amashukeli (GRU)
TMO: Brian MacNeice (IRFU)

Wales v Georgia
Referee: Andrea Piardi (FIR)
ARs: Pierre Brousset (FFR) & Gianluca Gnecchi (FIR)
TMO: Brendon Pickerill (NZR)

Italy v South Africa
Referee: Mike Adamson (SRU)
ARs: Matthew Carley (RFU) & Sam Grove-White (SRU)
TMO: Eric Gauzins (FFR)

Scotland v Argentina
Referee: Karl Dickson (RFU)
ARs: Luke Pearce (RFU) & Ian Tempest (RFU)
TMO: Brett Cronan (RA)

Ireland v Australia
Referee: Ben O’Keeffe (NZR)
ARs: James Doleman (NZR) & Tual Trainini (FFR)
TMO: Stuart Terheege (RFU)

French Barbarians v Fiji (in Lille)
Referee: Chris Busby (IRFU)
ARs: Ben Blain (SRU) & Benoit Rousselet (FFR)
TMO: Ben Whitehouse (WRU)

Sunday, 20 November 2022
France v Japan
Referee: Andrew Brace (IRFU)
ARs: Frank Murphy (IRFU) & Christophe Ridley (RFU)
TMO: Tom Foley (RFU)

26 November 2022
England v South Africa
Referee: Angus Gardner (RA)
ARs: Andrew Brace (IRFU) & Pierre Brousset (FFR)
TMO: Ben Whitehouse (WRU)

Wales v Australia
Referee: Matthew Carley (RFU)
ARs: Luke Pearce (RFU) & Chris Busby (IRFU)
TMO: Joy Neville (IRFU)

RWC 2023 Final Qualification Tournament

All games in Dubai[/i]

6 November 2022
USA v Kenya
Referee: Tual Trainini (FFR)
ARs: Damian Schneider (UAR) & Eoghan Cross (IRFU)
TMO: Olly Hodges (IRFU)

Portugal v Hong Kong
Referee: Chris Busby (IRFU)
ARs: Damian Schneider (UAR) & Eoghan Cross (IRFU)
TMO: Olly Hodges (IRFU)

12 November 2022
Portugal v Kenya
Referee: Nika Amashukeli (GRU)
ARs: Damian Schneider (UAR) & AJ Jacobs (SARU)
TMO: Olly Hodges (IRFU)

USA v Hong Kong
Referee: Matthew Carley (RFU)
ARs: Damian Schneider (UAR) & AJ Jacobs (SARU)
TMO: Olly Hodges (IRFU)

18 November 2022
Hong Kong v Kenya
Referee: Angus Gardner (RA)
ARs: Damian Schneider (UAR) & AJ Jacobs (SARU)
TMO: Chris Hart (NZR)

USA v Portugal
Referee: Paul Williams (NZR)
ARs: Damian Schneider (UAR) & AJ Jacobs (SARU)
TMO: Chris Hart (NZR)

I've done some interesting research from all previous tournaments.
If we discard 1987/91 the first WC which was held in NZ & Aus - the home nations representatives of Fitzgerald Aus refereed the final & Lawrence NZ refereed the opener generally, the country of referee for the final would generally referee the opening match of the following tournament:
1987 opener Lawrence
1987 final ref Fitzgerald and 1991 opener Flemming Sco
1991 final ref Bevans and 1995 opener Bevan Wal
1995 final ref Morrison and 1999 opener White Eng
1999 final ref Watson and 2003 opener Honis NZ
2003 final ref Watson and 2007 opener Spreadbury Eng - Chris White refereed 3rd place match
2007 final ref Rolland and 2011 opener Clancy Ire
2011 final ref Joubert and 2015 opener Peyper SA
2015 final ref Owens and 2019 opener Owens Wal
2019 final ref Garces and 2023 opener can't be French as France open against NZ.
So nearly 90% have used this formula (bar Watson) which then went to the country of the 3rd bronze final ref (England). If they follow this formula then indeed there could well be an English referee for the opening game and I would actually guess Pearce (as Barnes had the 3rd place match) purely on the fact that unless there are no alternative choices WR tend to use a different referee from that country and usually the number 2 (Pearce in this case).
Now, WR could very well change this approach as they did in 2003 with Honis. Then, the choice would probably go to an Aussie and in this case Gardner for me.

Round 2 Summary
Well, thoroughly enjoyed my Rugby weekend. What a feast!! I had the pleasure of watching all matches on offer!
2 of the 3 big games delivered with some bruising encounters and cracking wins for Ireland & France!!
Here goes with a brief summary of a very interesting weekend of rugby with an upset at Twickenham, a dominant NZ display, huge captivating battles in Dublin & Paris, a sluggish Scottish effort and for me Italy’s impressive performance against Samoa.

Italy v Samoa - Christophe Ridley
With Italy at 14 in WR rankings and Samoa 11th, I was expecting a close encounter with ultimately a Samoa win (even with my Italian heritage lol) How wrong could I be with a totalling dominating performance by the NH side. Samoa started strongly in the first 8-10 minutes, it all changed and Italy really turned up the pressure which Samoa just couldn’t deal with. Am I getting ahead of myself and saying the Italian have finally found the management team to compete with other tier 1 nations?
Congrats to Christophe receiving his first appointment involving a tier 1 team.
The real talking point was the YC for Samoa’s Al Hoa. Now,, I get the reasoning why a YC was awarded however, there is contact to the neck and head area and therefor an argument for a RC. The other point here is tat players really do need to change and adapt their tacking technique and go low.
I also thought Samoa were lucky not to have a player carded for a deliberate knock on and were also lucky scoring their second try (thought was forward) to make it 49-12.
Ultimately, the first half discipline cost Samoa. Italy played really well and I thoroughly enjoyed the game and in particular the second half. Good to see Italy move up to 12th now in the rankings!
Christophe showed authority and communicated effectively and should be pleased overall with his showing and I would like to see WR reward him with further appointments in the next window - maybe not enough games to warrant that, but perhaps in the summer internationals.
Also on a side note - I thought Johnny Lacey was there (possibly in the Samoa Camp?)


Scotland v Fiji - Nick Berry
Not the greatest game to watch and the Scots have a huge amount of work to do for me if they are going to compete in France next year.
Thought Nick set his stall out early with a correct yellow after just 80 seconds and a team YC. The talking point was  Habosi’s swinging arm and  for me whilst I see it hits the shoulder first, it still incredibly dangerous and wallops him on the jaw and I would prefer a red card here. The 3rd Fiji yellow  and final Scotland yellow right at the end was acceptable.
Berry was ok overall, he delivered a strict approach and the penalty count was just so high (I counted 30 ish)  with some very harsh indeed (more on this later).

Wales v New Zealand - Wayne Barnes
NZ  needed to show a dominant performance - they certainly did that and were in total control with a depleted Welsh team, it was very one-sided.
Congrats to the 100 man! Incredible feat and by the time he retires after the WC (I’d guess), I can’t see anyone match those matches and 5 WC tournaments and I’d guess at 110 matches - Just amazing!!
Barnes does love a chat during the game and this can annoy a lot of people . It’s so clear he has the respect of the players.
He was in total control with no major talking points and the Wales try that was reviewed was fine a correct call.
Solid performance - his experience came through!

Ireland v South Africa - Nika Amashukeli
Fascinating 1st half and enthralling 2nd half made this fixture great to watch!
And a real test for the young Georgian who, after last weeks performance needed to put on a strong solid performance.
Nika is certainly a strong contender to make cut as one of the 12 refs in France (probably something that wasn’t expected 2 years ago if I have to be completely honest). This appointment shows just how much faith WR has in his abilities. I too l think he’s a good referee and can see no reason why he won’t become one of the top officials moving forward.
More again on this later, the big call was the YC to SA’s Colbe. For me, this was another red card offence and the SA player was very lucky to get away with it.
I also thought Ireland got the rub of the green with some decisions.
Nika has shown that he can oversee these big games and I personally would love to see him as one of the referees in France.
Overall, he had control and was assured in his approach. As I mentioned, I didn’t agree with all decisions and I’m sure that WR will give him constructive feedback.
Note- Rassie Erasmus has already criticised Nika’s performance with a few tweets - he’s at it again and WR need to step in as this is just too much pressure on the officials!!


France v Australia - Jaco Peyper
A cracking encounter. Loved It!!
 It’s fair to say that France were not at their best (I’m sure they will get stronger during the series) Whilst we saw a sensational Aussie try and a correctly disallowed French try in a frantic and throughly enjoyable first half.
A real battle in the second half and you have to feel for the Australians as they put everything into the game. The issue is they win 1 and lose 1.
In terms of officiating - Well, I was worried in the first few minutes after a couple of strange/missed calls right from the KO. Jaco seemed to settle down after that. And actually controlled the game well in a hot atmosphere.
Both teams were pretty well disciplined which mean’t a far more entertaining game.
Jaco will be pleased with this handling of the match overall.


England v Argentina - Andrew Brace
Well not the most exciting cagey first half and a slightly better second half. Whilst I'm an England supporter, huge  congratulations to Argentina just showing how far they have come in recent years and firmly establishing themselves as a force to reckon with in France following on from their success in New Zealand in the Rugby Championship. For me it’s good for the game!
I’ll also say that England were their own worst enemies with discipline costing them in the first half in particular. With over 70% possession, they really should have converted more ! Unforced errors also cost them dearly!
Andy Brace needed to perform well today after a bit of a bashing in the Rugby Championship. Overall I think he managed to accomplish that. Look, I didn’t agree with all his decisions and you could say that Argentina got the rub of the green with a couple of decisive calls with the  second try in the second half and a penalty in the 32nd minute however, I wouldn’t blame him as an England fan for the loss.
Marius Jonker was also extremely pro-active in the game - and I’m ok with that if the correct decisions are made.
Overall, the Irishman will be satisfied with his performance today.

Elsewhere in the WC playoff’s match between USA & Kenya US Eagles’ lock Siaosi Mahoni was shown a yellow card for a brutal clearcut that was slammed online.
French referee Trianini downgraded the decision through consultation with TMO Hodges.
Clear Red card!!
https://www.rugbypass.com/news/absolutely-appalling-unacceptable-brutal-clearout-call-slammed/

So, for me I came away from this weekend concerned about a 2 real issues I have mentioned before:

1. As a fan, the sheer number of penalties in every game really does make the games so stop start. I can understand after watching the RL World Cup how different the law makers want to speed up the game with various initiatives and can see why (particularly in the SH) why League is over-taking union in the viewing figures. This is something that really does need to be addressed before France 23 (my fear is that it won’t).  We are just not seeing the quality of games that we were used to in 2019/20.
2. The inconsistency in what referees see as RC/YC for tackling in particular. It seems that this weekend referees are finding a way not to produce a RC for clear contact to the head. If WR are committed to getting this sorted, the message need to be clear. We saw it last week with Pearce opting for a YC when it’s clearly a RC and now with Amashukeli and Berry opting for yellows when again it’s clear red cards. We don’t want to see red cards in every game BUT WR need to get the right message out as we are all left confused as to what is a red and what is yellow!

Next week, Wayne Barnes makes history in the big encounter of the weekend. Peyper also gets another run-out and Pearce gets his second appointment.
A bucket load of Kiwi’s in the middle: Doleman at Twickenham, O Keefe in Cardiff, Williams in Spain and Pickerill in Italy.

Should be another great weekend of Rugby!!

Jaco Peyper has an injury so, Raynal replaces him in Dublin vs Fiji!!
Brace replace Raynal as AR in Italy and currently remains an AR in Scotland the following day, (I expect that to change).