Please see the below update and example clips shared by the RFur TEAM regarding backchat and appealing, with specific relation to the game’s Core Values.
Following some feedback in pre-season, and last week’s fixtures we have seen a dramatic increase in the number of players appealing / questioning decisions and providing general backchat.
In the attached presentation, there are 3 clips from a game last weekend.
Clip 1 is of particular interest as you can see a player ‘waving arms’ on 2 occasions during the first couple of minutes of the match.
We would encourage you to listen to the Referee communication in all 3 clips.
Referees have this week been reminded of our protocol with regards to core Game Values, you can expect to see a Zero Tolerance approach on this.
Please encourage players to avoid:
Waving arms during live play – appealing
Calling for decisions ‘e.g. holding on’
Giving the referee backchat following a decision
The Referee's process will be simple:
1st occasion, a player will be spoken to, this could be during ‘Live Play’ as in Clip 1
2nd occasion – the captain will be warned’
3rd occasion will see a team penalised
If the incident is serious enough, the player may be penalized on the first occasion.
You can read more on the RFU’s Core Values by clicking here.