Sir, – Rugby stands alone in your Sports section in one respect. The entire performance of rugby referees in matches are the subject of lengthy, post-match evaluations.
In other sports scrutiny tends to be confined to particular incidents. Rugby once prided itself on respect for the referee, but that has been significantly eroded in recent years.
Captains routinely challenge decisions, while crowds react loudly to perceived infringements even if they don’t really understand what is going on half the time.
Refereeing a game with so many complicated and ever-changing rules is a demanding task. Errors are inevitable.
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If a referee’s performance will be publicly dissected in full after every match it is not hard to see why fewer people may be willing to pick up the whistle.
Rugby might want to reflect on this aspect of the modern game. Analysis has its place, but so too does a bit of restraint. – Yours, etc,
REAMONN O’LUAN,
Churchtown,
Dublin 14.
