Varsity Cup gets on-side with refs

With the FNB Varsity Cup presented by Steinhoff International set to employ 23-man playing squads in the 2010 season, as part of an experimentation with SA Rugby, the country's top student rugby tournament will also be working hand-in-hand with South Africa's referees - off the field - in order to establish a strong working relationship.

"It's simple, really," said Varsity Cup Managing Director Duitser Bosman, "the referees are part of the product (of the Varsity Cup)... and they should be made to feel part of it.

"Just like players and coaches in the Varsity Cup have lives away from the tournament, so do the referees," he added.

"We have made a concerted effort to learn more about those referees that will be officiating in 2010 and we believe that understanding them as human beings, away from the game, will go a long way towards a better working relationship on the field, too."

As Bosman and co. look to forge a close working relationship with SA's top whistlemen, their task will be made easier by the fact that André Watson - South African Rugby's Manager of Referees - has selected a special panel of referees for the Varsity Cup.

"When we were first approached about the Varsity Cup, back in 2008, we made the best available referees in South Africa available to the tournament," explained Watson to varsitycup.co.za.

"We have done that for two years, but we have now set up an eight-man panel of referees for the Varsity Cup - which is a great opportunity for us to develop, test and scout more top-level refs. But it also means the players and coaches in the tournament will have consistency when it comes to the referees.

"At the same time, we have also created a structure whereby the coaches and referees can communicate effectively after matches, which is a great way for everyone to understand more - the refs about the coaches' thinking and vice-versa."

Whilst Watson is very excited at the prospect of the eight-man benches in action during the Varsity Cup - "uncontested scrums will be reduced if not eliminated now," he says - there is another experiment that will be trialled during the 2010 Varsity Cup.

The SA Referees' boss revealed: "Instead of the referees going 'upstairs' to the Television Match Official to query whether a try has been scored, the on-field referee will be able to consult a television monitor in the in-goal area and decide for himself.

"It will follow the same protocol as a 'regular' TMO decision, except that the on-field ref will 'act' as the TMO himself," added Watson.

"It's yet another exciting venture for the Varsity Cup, and the referees involved, and I'm particularly excited to see this experiment in action as I believe we will actually see fewer referrals because the buck stops with the on-field referee - he is the one who will make the final decision; whether he calls for the TMO or not."

For more on South Africa's top referees, visit the dedicated SA Referees' website, www.sareferees.co.za