[NPC, New Zealand] New interpretations have impact
The New Zealand NPC rugby competition has seen changes in the way matches are adjudicated. The main differences are:
- Tackling
Any tackle that somehow finds it way to the upper chest is deemed ‘high’
Any tackle that involves lifting a player’s legs, no mater how high or whether there is no potential danger is deemed, ‘dangerous’
- Tackled ball
The tackler is able to continue to hold onto the ball in the post-tackle, ruck
- TMO
In a cost-saving exercise, there are no video referees at NPC matches.
This last one represents the most significant, especially this year.
In theory, this heralds a return to the amateur era, where referees made calls from what they could see, with some help from their linesmen.
However, the controlling body has declared that 4 teams will drop out of the NPC top flight at the end of this season.
The determining factor is not going to be performance alone but it will have a bearing. The issue here is that human error could see a crucial decisions go the wrong way and have a determining influence on a team’s fate.
While it didn’t affect the outcome, in the 3rd round, Wellington were awarded a try against the Bay of Plenty that was clearly not a try. Bay of Plenty are in the mix to be one of the 4 teams to be dropped.
People’s jobs are on the line here and the NZRFU choose this year to act all prudent.
Wellington had a try disallowed in their Ranfurly Shield match with Auckland last week. It was a clear try and the referee seemed to ask his linesmen the wrong question (‘Did you see it?’ rather than ‘Is there a reason why I can’t award it?’). The try as under the posts and so Wellington were denied 7 points in a match that was decided by just 3 points.
In the first 2 rounds I was happy with the decisions being made around the awarding of tries but in the close-up, slow-motion replay, satellite TV world we live in, the NZRFU should find other ways to tighten their belts.
