Refs getting pushed into penalising

Rugby

Players are struggling to come to terms with the requirements of the tackle rule in Wairarapa-Bush club rugby this season, and referees are being forced to award more penalty kicks than they would like as a consequence.

That's the message from Wairarapa-Bush Rugby Referees Association spokesman Peter Debney, who says the major issues revolve around tacklers not releasing the ball carrier.

"Too often tacklers are using the tackled player on the ground to lever up on as they get to their feet and are then going for the ball, and they can't do that," Debney said. "And we are also seeing arriving teammates of the ball-carrier immediately diving over the tackle and often either taking out defenders or obstructing them from having a legitimate contest for the ball. That's not allowed, either."

Debney said referees had no alternative but to award penalties if players arriving at the tackle situation were not on their feet when attempting to play the ball and if teammates shunted them over they must make an immediate effort to roll away, not simply lie there slowing the ball down, and obstructing the opposition.

"Referees don't want to keep dishing out penalty kicks, we all need to work together to ensure that doesn't happen."

Referee appointments for Saturday:

Premier division: Marist v Eketahuna, Memorial Park at 2.30pm (D Adams; S O'Gorman and E Wallace); Bush Sports v Puketoi, Pahiatua at 2.30pm (G Reisima; D Goodin and home team); Pioneer v Carterton, Carterton at 2.30pm (A Payne; G Moorcock and B Whale); Gladstone v Greytown, Gladstone at 2.30pm (A Stringer; S Andrew and K Lochhead); Martinborough v East Coast, Martinborough at 2.30pm (C Jefferies; G Hall and T Roseingrave).

Senior reserves: Marist v Eketahuna, Memorial Park at 1pm (S O'Gorman); Bush Sports v Masterton Red Star, Pahiatua at 1pm (D Goodin); Pioneer v Carterton, Carterton at 1pm (G Moorcock); Gladstone v Greytown, Gladstone at 1pm (S Andrew); Martinborough v Tuhirangi, Martinborough at 1pm (G Hall); East Coast a bye.

Women's premier division: Eketahuna v Massey, Eketahuna at 1pm (P Thompson).