Recently back from New Zealand, Mark Lawrence is off this week to Nairobi for a Confederation of African Rugby match. In the meantime he answers readers' questions.

1. Name: Richard Humphrey

Question: Hi there,

I would like to ask you a question regarding timekeeping - do you think that time should be stopped so that negative play (e.g. several reset scrums) will have less of an impact on the game?

Being from Scotland I have also noticed during the June tests that the Southern Hemisphere sides play a more exciting brand or rugby. Do you think this could be aided worldwide with free kicks brought in for some minor technical offenses, as opposed to a penalty?

(Although I am now worried about the World Cup, although it is sad that SA may not provide the World Cup Final referee, despite having four of the top 10 or so).

One minor query - is it possible for the website to advertise who is the Duty Ref for the week after, so that if we have any questions specific to a referee they can be asked them directly? What a great website you have though!

Warmest Regards,

R Humphrey

Mark Lawrence: Hi Richard

It’s nice to know there are people of your calibre reading our website and thanks for your thoughts and compliments.

On the question of time, I don't think we should stop time for scrums. We must sort out the problem and that is the scrum itself. It is such a unique set piece that it does deserve some time but teams that tried to turn one scrum into three or collapsed a scrum because they didn't get the hit, should be penalized. This is the avenue that referees are currently pursuing and according to the stats that André Watson released, things are improving!

Your second question relates to the experimental law variations of a few years ago. I felt the free kicks for technical infringements sped up the game and took the referee out of the equation but most people felt it was a “cheat charter” and so it was dropped. SANZAR then embarked on the Big Five for the Super 14 to speed up he game and I am pleased to say it has worked well and is now adopted by the IRB for test matches.

 I will ask the editor to consider your query regarding the advertising of the future duty ref because I like the idea of the referee answering questions relating to his match.

Keep well and thanks for the questions.

Kind regards, Mark

2. Name: Jaco Pretorius 

Question: Just a quick question today - Do you think that merit referee's could work in international rugby? Surely having the best officials is an advantage, regardless of their nationality. And anyway, isn't it a referee's ambition to referee at their national team's stadium?

Mark Lawrence: Hello Jaco,

I have it on good authority that tests will continue to be refereed by “neutral refs” The IRB have a wider selection of top officials to choose from, most of whom are from different countries and therefore don't need to go merit based.

Relating to refs ambitions: I want to ref the top teams wherever that may be. I am sure all the others refs feel that way too.

Keep well

Regards, Mark

4. Name: Matt Parsons

Question:  Hi - one law issue that I rarely see consistently applied is front rowers standing up in the scrum (as opposed to collapsing - the rules are clear, the facts harder to discern).  Often we see teams penalised for standing up in the front row - what is the basis for such a penalty?  My understanding is that the only related penalty would be on the person forcing his opponent up as it is dangerous play.

Thanks for all the great work in this site, very informative for a coach!

Cheers.

Matt 

Mark Lawrence: Hey Matt,

Thanks for the interesting question and for your compliments.

You are very accurate in your summation of your question regarding the standing up of the front rows. Front rowers forcing opponents up is dangerous play and must be penalised. However, when the front rows pop up because of pressure, the referee must stop play and cannot play on. In this case he can RESET the scrum.

That said, most coaches have told their front rows to go up or down but NEVER backwards! So often the stand up by the front row is as a result of not wanting to step backwards. This has caused a lot of resets in the past and up to 12 minutes per game is wasted on resets. As refs we have been told to rectify this by having less resets and dealing with front rows that are standing up. Free kicks for time wasting and penalties for deliberate infringing can also be applied at scrums.

Hope you understand that refs want to improve the spectacle of rugby and not spoil it. Hopefully the front rowers will come to the party by playing their part.

Keep well

Regards, Mark

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