They are ‘raring to go’ and determined to ensure a consistent approach to all applications of the laws. September 29:The 16 Rugby World Cup ’99 referees presented a united front, complete with matching red RWC shirts, for a media question and answer session in Cardiff today. Steve Griffiths, the IRB’s referee development officer, who is managing the RWC merit based referee team, acted as chairman. He introduced the 16 officials, among them two Rugby World Cup Final referees, Derek Bevan, who was in charge at Twickenham in 1991, when Australia defeated England, and Ed Morrison, the referee at the 1995 Final, in Johannesburg, where South Africa beat New Zealand. Griffiths commented the group, often regarded as the 21st team at the finals, anticipated no surprises where law interpretations were concerned as the 41-match tournament unfolds over the next five weeks. He explained how all the referees and the 20 coaches had been provided with a detailed set of guidance notes. “Our aim is to provide a consistent approach to law application by match officials, both for international test matches and matches involving teams from different unions.” The complete Guidance Booklet is posted on the IRB website (www.irb.org) at Press Centre. Griffiths outlined the citing procedure being used for the first time at RWC which will allow the citing officer to take action if he sees an incident that has escaped the notice of the match officials or in a situation where he believes a referee’s decision needs to be reviewed. Griffiths explained videos will be used to analyse any situation brought to the attention of the citing officer. He confirmed red and yellow cards will be used and stressed that, where yellow cards, or cautions, are concerned these will be not be recorded on a cumulative basis. “The new IRB Regulations, which took effect on September 1, should ensure there is no requirement for totting up. The players know that if they get two yellow cards in a game they will be sent off,” Griffiths said. He added he will be the contact for a coach wishing to cite an opposing player. ” I will then raise the matter with the citing officer.” David McHugh spoke for all the RWC referees when he said: ” When it comes to making decision on the field no one will fudge what has to be done. I simply can’t see anyone holding back if an offence occurs that merits sending of.” Ed Morrison added in answer to a question on rucking: “This is both a coaching and refereeing issue and the emphasis has to be on ensuring players stay on the right side of the ball. If we referee the tackle law these issues will not arise. Colin Hawke, on the same topic, said rucking will continue to be a part of the game. “It involves a backward movement of the foot in close proximity with the ball and it cannot be an up and down movement.” All the RWC referees agreed the relationship between the captain of a team and the referee was of crucial importance and Steve Griffiths confirmed that there will be no contact of any kind between the coach and the referee at half-time.” Any messages from the team to the referee will come through the captain so developing that relationship will be very important”, he commented. Discussing some of the challenges that would face a referee in game where one team was being completely outplayed, Derek Bevan said: “We will have to look to the stronger side for common sense and, while it is probably inevitable they will want to pile on the points, if only to impress their coach, we must ensure the game is played in a safe environment. Winding up the session Griffiths said: ” All the RWC referees are raring to go, to get out and do the job they are trained to do. We all hope that RWC ’99 turns out to be an outstanding expression of the game for the referees, the players and the spectators.” Ends. For further information please contact the IRB Press Centre Tel: +353 1 662 5444 Fax: +353 1 676 9334 Website: www.irfb.com