Wessels, the specialised AR

Cobus Wessels is a specialised referee's assistant. He loves it and it has brought rewards of its own.

Cobus, then of Pretoria, now of George, was a panel referee who became a panel assistant referee and an example to all other assistant referees.  In days gone by touch judging was an imposition for referees who were not always good at it. Wessels has shown how being a dedicated touch judge can greatly enhance officiating at matches.

He is now on the International Rugby Board's panel of assistant referees, one of two appointed to the November Tests in the Northern Hemisphere. The other is Stuart Terheege of England. They have had a change of name with the introduction of the experimental law variations. They can now be assistant referees when before they were touch judges. Not all touch judges are elevated to the status of assistant referees but all assistant referees are touch judges.

On the name change Cobus says: " The name change from touch judge has not really changed the nature of the job. The duties has just been updated a bit and also been defined within law."

Cobus is the son of Louis Wessels, once a top referee, then the chairman of Blue Bulls Referees and a member of the IRB's panel of assessors. Cobus was a member of the Blue Bulls Referees' Society.

He talks about the move:

"It is a bit of a change of scenery moving to the sideline on a more permanent basis. The enjoyment is not less though! In a way the pressure has increased as well. Sounds a bit silly but let me explain.

"As referee you are 'allowed/afforded' a few mistakes by all concerned. They give the referee stick but also forgive him readily. As an assistant referee you are expected to have only three jobs - touch, kicks at goal and foul play. That of course is not quite true but it's the perception. So if a touch-line and the kick are your job you're not allowed ANY mistakes. Make one and you're never forgiven! A lot like the television match official, you're not afforded  even one mistake."

How the move came about: "My career as assistant referee started when I was removed from the national refereeing panels. André Watson spoke to me and said that he wanted to start a specialised touch judge panel. I agreed to be available for this as I didn't want to stop refereeing."

Easier life? "Training is pretty much the same as I still referee in my local society. That is also a requirement set by the IRB and SARU. I suppose it is just so the assistant referee still stays in touch with the game per se. So fitness is still non-negotiable. I am actually fitter and in better shape than when I refereed... "

Match preparations: "Preparation for a game is quite different as the focus of your duties are very different from the refereeing side. As assistant referee you are focused away from the ball for most of the game. You are expected to 'clean up' the rucks, mauls, tackles and line-outs when the ball and referee have moved to the next phase."

What the referee expects of his assistant: "The referee-brief is quite a complicated part of the game. Every referee has his own style, preferences, likes and dislikes. Also every game has different focus spots and hotspots. Communication within the team of three is absolutely vital. Luckily you get to know the styles of the referees as you work with them. Trust is also obviously a very important aspect as a lack of that will result in a complete breakdown in communication. After the match I like to speak with the referee and exchange info on the calls, etc, during the match. Mistakes need to be ironed out to build on trust and minimize future blunders as well as to build on the positives."

The perks: "Opportunities that I have had include:  Super 14 Final 2008, Currie Cup Final 2007, Vodacup Final 2006, 2007 and five Tests up till now. (Argentina vs Scotland twice, Romania vs Namibia, Kenya vs Madagascar and Kenya vs Uganda.)

"Upcoming Tests are in Ireland and Wales. Both playing against the All Blacks. Also I have the privilege of officiating in this year's Currie Cup Final again."

It's a great involvement in the game - if you do it as wholeheartedly and with the same intensity as Cobus does.