The news section enables us to give you insight into the world of refereeing in Wales.
With news articles on who are next stars of the whistle are and those yearly law amendments!
You find all you need here.
If you have an interesting news story about refereeing you would like to share please contact jevans@wru.wales
She may be at the beginning of her fledgling refereeing career, but already Amber Stamp is being hailed as an inspiration to others and has been tipped to become Wales’s first female international referee.
WRU Community Match Officials Development Lead Sean Brickell has high hopes of his protégé after seeing her make rapid strides since taking up the whistle as a 17-year-old after successfully completing a female only Ready to Ref course five years ago.
“Amber has the potential to be our first female international referee,” predicts Brickell.
“She has all the attributes required to reach the top of her game. Hardworking, motivated and the drive to succeed in what she wants to achieve. Although Amber is very ambitious, she’s a very grounded, respectful young lady, who fully appreciates all those who have supported her on her journey.
“Both Amber and Jenny Davies have raised the bar with female officiating in Wales, and they have shown what’s achievable with patience and hard work. Hopefully they will inspire more females to take up the whistle.”
Brickell added: “We have a small but dedicated group of female match officials who support the community game. Sarah Toll, Ceri Parry and Fiona Davies are now experienced referees, while recent additions are Coral McShane, Macey Philips, Bethan MacLauchlin and ex Wales internationals Jess Kavanagh and Amy Thompson.”
On 9 May 2024, the World Rugby Council agreed to law changes in three areas covering:
Eliminating the crocodile roll
Offside in front of a kicker
Removing the scrum option when a Free Kick is awarded
The explanation for these changes, and the new wording for the adapted laws, are itemised below
These law changes came into operation globally from 1 July 2024 and will apply throughout Welsh rugby next season.
There is unanimous agreement from global stakeholders at the shape of the game conference Croc roll MUST be removed from the game.
A pull to the side is allowed with no weight dropping near jacklers lower limbs as it’s rarely dangerous for the jackler.
A slam down on the jacklers back/lower half and then roll is not allowed from the cleaner.
We need to assess where the cleaner finishes his action – Close to the jackler’s legs, the degree of danger is often high.
The law change will encourage players to drive the jackler instead of using a croc roll
DEFINITION OF CROC ROLL
Croc roll: A prohibited action where a player laterally rolls/twists or pulls a player, who is on their feet in the tackle area, to ground. The action often lands on the player’s lower limbs
a. Twisting action – Wraps and rolls/twists jackler, dropping weight onto/near lower limbs
b. Pulling action – Pulling jackler and dropping weight onto/near lower limbs
PLAY ON – Arriving player pulls the jackler backwards or immediately to the side
Then examples of FOUL PLAY – cleaner pulls or rolls jackler past the point of initial contact forward (risk of dropping on limbs or hyper extension). The level of sanction is based on the danger of the action and the proximity to limbs.
Award PK or YC – Croc roll with a drop near or onto lower limb – Low/Medium danger
Finally award a RC – Croc roll with a drop onto lower limb or causing hyper extension of leg – High danger
APPLICATION:
It is expected that referees and ARs to try to observe and sanction croc rolls in live play
A try must be disallowed if there is a croc roll in the lead up (Same principle with neck roll)
Reminder: There MUST be a sanction when there is a clear and obvious croc roll.
Rationale: Speeding up restarts after technical offences. Currently many scrums result in long periods of dead time with resets, leading to more FKs, penalties and then kicks to touch. ‘Shape of Game’ recommendation was to remove the scrum from a FK option. It remains an option for penalty offences.
LAW
Law 20: Options at a penalty or free-kick
Law 20.3 A team awarded a penalty or a free kick may instead choose a scrum.
Law 20.4
i. A team awarded a penalty or free-kick at a lineout may instead choose a lineout or a scrum at the same mark.
ii. A team awarded a free-kick at a lineout may instead choose a lineout at the same mark.
Consequential change: Mark law
17.6 If the player is injured in the act of claiming a Mark, and is unable to take the free-kick within one minute, a team mate may take the FK.
QUESTION
What is our philosophy if we have cheating from the weaker scrum?
ANSWER
We trust the referees to manage/sanction these situations strongly
REMINDER: QUICK TAPS
Following the global law change the prediction is – we will see more quick taps at scrum
All quick taps must be played behind the scrum (around no8 position)
Players not 10m must retreat
Rationale: Teams and players have recognised that in a kick battle with opponents, the kicking team – providing they are more than 10 metres away from the ball alighting – can be put onside by the actions of the catcher who runs 5 metres,
passes or kicks.
This has created freedom for players to loiter in the middle and wait for a kick tennis battle to conclude. The new wording makes clear that any player who is offside in open play needs to take action to put themselves onside and not just remain stationary.
The clauses relating to the catcher running 5 metres and passing the ball to put an opponent onside, will be removed.
Law 10.1 A player is offside in open play if that player is in front of a team-mate who is carrying the ball or who last played it. An offside player must not interfere with play. This includes:
a. Playing the ball.
b. Tackling the ball-carrier.
c. Preventing the opposition from playing as they wish.
d. Loitering in an offside position
Law 10.4 An offside player may be penalised, if that player:
a. Does not make an effort to retreat and interferes with play; or
b. Move towards the ball; or
Law 10.7 Other than under Law 10.4c, an offside player can be put onside when:
a. An onside team-mate of that player moves past the offside player and is within or has re- entered the playing area.
b. An opponent of that player:
i. Kicks the ball; or
ii. Intentionally touches the ball without gaining possession of it.
QUESTIONS
The kick receiver intentionally plays the ball with hand or foot without gaining possesion?
All the players in front of their kicker must retreat. Then they can move forward once the ball has been intentionally played without gaining possession
What happens if there is no player to put players onside?
i.e. kicker tackled with no support?
All the players in front of their kicker must retreat until put onside
When ball goes into touch – what is the obligations for the players who was in front of kick inside 10m and those outside 10m?
The ball is still live (ie a Quick throw is on) then the offside players still need to be retreating
and can’t benefit from loitering. Only when ref blows whistle or AR arm goes out for a full
lineout makes ball dead and so the players can move to the line. (2012 LAG)
What is a retreat?
Players in a offside position must move backwards – walk, jog
New Definition – Loiter / Loitering
A player who remains in an offside position is loitering. A loiterer who prevents the opposing team from playing the ball as they wish is taking part in the game, and is liable to sanction. A loiterer must not benefit from being put onside by the opposing team’s action.
WRU Educator Programme
The Welsh Rugby Union Community Rugby Department perceives the development and support of volunteers in Wales as vital to enable the game to thrive.
The WRU offers a wide and varied suite of formal, informal and digital educational opportunities, across all sections of our rugby department and are currently supported by a dedicated workforce.
For the WRU to continually be at the forefront of development it is looking to recruit, develop and deploy more Educators within the game.
What is a WRU Educator?
A WRU Educator develops people who make our game safer and better. They support and develop new and existing coaches, officials, medics, and administrators that help to increase participation and retention and enhance the player experience.
As a WRU Educator you will educate learners within their domain. For example those who want to become a referee would attend a level 1 referee course and you would assist in the delivery of the course, although you can educate in more than one domain.
Which are as follows: –
You will also enter in to WRU Educator development programme that requires each person to commit to
Completion of the core modules (you will have achieved WRU Educator status this will remain with you for 2 years.)
To remain accredited, you must deliver 2 courses a year in your domain across the suite of educational courses.
You also must show that you are committed to personal development and participate in Continual Educator Development – This can be via CED opportunities such as workshops, or educator communities of practice.
Complete the domain specific orientation training.
All domains have the same orientation training the only difference is the content you deliver. You will be expected to shadow the course, learn the presentations, and co deliver before your deployment can begin.
You will also have assigned a Trainer who will support you in your personal development and you will be expected to keep a documented personal educator plan
On completion of the WRU educator core modules and domain orientation you will be issued with new starter forms to enable you to get remunerated for your services.
Process of becoming an Educator
If you are interest to become a Welsh Rugby Union Educator, and you have reviewed the role specification, which gives an insight into the skills, behaviours, knowledge, understanding and qualifications required. Then contact the Referees Department –
Ben Breakspear’s refereeing journey is a testament to dedication, resilience, and passion for the sport of rugby. Hailing from Abercynon , Breakspear began his refereeing career at a young age, quickly rising through the ranks due to his keen understanding of the game and his ability to maintain control on the field. His calm demeanor and consistent decision-making earned him respect from players, coaches, and fellow officials alike. Breakspear’s talent saw him officiate in prestigious competitions, including the URC, where he became known for his professionalism and fairness. Despite facing challenges and intense scrutiny that come with high-level refereeing, Breakspear remained committed to his craft, continually refining his skills and contributing to the growth of the sport. His journey serves as an inspiration to aspiring referees, showcasing the importance of hard work, integrity, and a love for the game.