Watson on the Big Four

Before the Super 14 got going and at the request of the Super 14 coaches, certain existing laws were highlighted as in need of  more careful attention and application with a view to making a faster and more creative game. André Watson, South Africa's refereeing boss, has taken stock.

He has been in touch with the match officials in South Africa about the application of the Big Four - tackle, scrum, offside and obstruction.

Watson said: "We started the season with the Big 4 and it had a huge influence on the game and the early indications are that it is mostly positive.

"I want to thank the referees that have been in action so far for the effort and commitment to apply the Big 4.

"However, like any law or application we implement for the first time, there are some spin-offs as a result and if one is not aware of it, they may negatively affect the product."

He then goes through each of the Big Four.

A.      Tackle:

a.      The tackler is to release immediately – no material effect to be measured, as it is a fact.

b.      Tackler to roll away once he has released ball carrier – material affect can be determined depending on what his influence is.

c.       ALL OTHER PLAYERS WHO ENTER LEGALLY SHOULD BE ALLOWED TO PLAY THE BALL.

d.      A PLAYER TACKLING AND ENDING UP ON THE WRONG SIDE  SHOULD NOT BE PENALISED – UNLESS HE DOES NOT RELEASE!

e.      A PLAYER GETTING BACK ON HIS FEET SHOULD BE ALLOWED TO PLAY THE BALL.

f.        TACKLED PLAYERS SHOULD NOT BE ALLOWED TO GET UP AND CRAWL, OR RUN WITH BALL ONCE THEY HAVE BEEN BROUGHT TO GROUND.

g.      Nothing wrong with awarding an unplayable at times – not as an excuse, but sometimes there is genuinely nothing wrong.

B.      Scrum:

a.      The cadence is important and one can talk about a fast vs slow cadence till the cows come home but what is important is to have:

i.      Four distinct calls, namely: crouch, touch, pause and engage.

ii.      Please check constantly with Balie Swart. [Swart is on the referees' committee as a scrum specialist.].

iii.      But, it is important to have all to crouch when asked to, front rows to touch when asked to, and then to follow the ‘engage’ call after the ‘pause’ without too long a delay.

b.      Do not follow the front rows but get them to engage on your call.

c.       Do not guess.

d.      Allow no individual angles by players but,

e.      PLEASE ALLOW THE BIG BOYS TO SCRUM ONCE THE ENGAGEMENT was FINE – LET THEM ‘DO IT’ PLEASE!

C.      Off side in general play:

a.      Please keep at it; it already causes a lot more running as we have space all of a sudden.

D.     Obstruction:

a.      Is well refereed in general play but

b.      Needs attention at kick off and

c.       At the formation of mauls at line out.