Ex-ref wants new red card plan for rugby

Former referee boss of South Africa Andre Watson believes that red cards in rugby should only come into play for dangerous foul play.

According to leading Sunday newspaper Rapport, the ex-Test referee has a clear plan to deal with contentious red card issues in the game.

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Ref out red cards in rugby

“Like for someone who hits another guy. Someone that kicks. Someone who headbutts,” said Watson.

“Or even someone spitting on someone. That ugly stuff from the old days. It deserves red cards. All other offences, especially with tackles, I believe should only be yellow cards.”

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World Rugby’s way of dealing with things has left Watson with more questions than answers.

“I am concerned that the former player and former referee, who has ten minutes to look at the incident, may end up giving more red cards than the referee himself.

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A new plan is needed

“[World Rugby] simply introduced line upon line and prescription upon prescription.

“The safety committee has taken over and the game is much softer than it was. They over-sanitise the game especially with tackles . It’s ridiculous. Rugby is a contact sport. In a contact sport there are always some risks.”

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RUGBY WORLD CUP GROUP FIXTURES:

✈ 10 September: South Africa vs Scotland (Stade Vélodrome, Marseille) 

✈ 17 September: Springbok vs Romania (Stade de Bordeaux, Bordeaux) 

✈ 23 September: South Africa vs Ireland (Stade de France, Saint-Denis, Paris) 

✈ 1 October: South Africa vs Tonga (Stade Vélodrome, Marseille)

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