The recent Rugby World Cup was arguably the most scrutinised ever, particularly in terms of refereeing decisions, given the amount of tight knock-out fixtures.
One new element of the game that aided in the referee's process was the bunker system, which took red card decisions out of their hands, allowing more time to come to the right conclusion, while also speeding up the game.
There were criticisms of the system because it meant less straight red cards from the referee, and that he was handing over responsibility and showing less authority, although ultimately this was a small price to pay for a better flowing match.
Rugby World Cup Ref Criticises Crucial New Law
However, World Cup referee Mathieu Raynal, who recently picked up a second successive best referee award at the Nuit du Rugby, is of the opinion that the bunker system should not have been introduced for the World Cup, as it excludes fans watching at home from the the thought process behind decisions.
I think it was probably a mistake to put the bunker in at the last moment just before the World Cup without practising it and using it more.
That was a mistake. It was tough, too, because you send a situation to the bunker, they come back to you with a decision, and you cannot explain to the world why you made that decision.
Before that, we could put words on the footage and could take people by the hands and they followed us until the final decision. That was interesting in terms of communication and explanation. Now, with the bunker, we cut this relationship with the people in front of their TVs or the people in the stands, which was difficult.
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12 March 2022; Ireland captain Jonathan Sexton in conversation with referee Mathieu Raynal during the Guinness Six Nations Rugby Championship match between England and Ireland at Twickenham Stadium in London, England. Photo by Brendan Moran/Sportsfile
Another issues he addressed, and one that has become a plague on the sport, is that of online abuse of referees. In recent years, threats to officials and their families have become more prevalent with the use of social media.
“Obviously we cannot accept [social media abuse],” Raynal added.
“We don’t accept it on the street, so why do we accept it on social media? I fully agree with Wayne [Barnes] on that. We have to be stronger.
The laws and government have to be stronger on that, I think. That’s really important for referees – and sport, too."
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