Tappe Henning

New Head of Match Officials for the United Rugby Championship, Tappe Henning, has outlined his vision for the tournament’s referees. Photo: Niel Germishuys

Tappe Henning calls on referees to crack down on dissent in URC

Head of Match officials for the United Rugby Championship (URC) Tappe Henning has called on referees to crack down on dissent from players.

Tappe Henning

New Head of Match Officials for the United Rugby Championship, Tappe Henning, has outlined his vision for the tournament’s referees. Photo: Niel Germishuys

Head of Match officials for the United Rugby Championship (URC) Tappe Henning has called on referees to crack down on dissent from players.

Henning announced initiatives to tighten up the officiating of the United Rugby Championship, which has been alarmingly inconsistent.

ALSO READ: South African teams all win in Round Two

Tappe Henning calls for crackdown on dissent

While making those announcements, Henning was asked to comment on the Bundee Aki red card incident which saw the Ireland and Connacht centre furiously dispute the match official’s call on the field in an incident which some feel brought the game into disrepute.

“Referees understand that players believe they are correct in their execution and what they want to do,” Henning said. 

“Players understand that, if the referee deems something is a red-card offence, it has a huge impact on their team and they are emotional. In those situations, you don’t need referees to overact.

“If it exceeds the limit and starts becoming directed at the match officials, accusing them of incompetence or directly aiming at the ability of the referee and their decision-making we expect the referees to draw the line and say: ‘Bundee, we’ve had enough. I know you’re disappointed’.

“I thought Gianluca was very smart in how he said ‘I explained’ and asked the captain to deal with the player, just to diffuse the situation.

“If it gets worse than that then the referee will definitely act. I’m pretty sure that in the disciplinary process, I’ve seen many times how the disciplinary hearing makes mention of the player accepting the decision of the match official on the day.

“In this case, I’m pretty sure that the disciplinary hearing will probably give its attention to that, I don’t want to say what they should do but I’ve seen examples where it was addressed.

“It comes into consideration when the sanction is being reached.”

Tappe Henning
Bundee Aki argues with referee. Photo: Ryan Wilkisky/BackpagePix

Dealing with dissent

Henning would added that an outburst like that would influence the sanction handed down by a disciplinary committee to players.

“Players know that poor behaviour towards the match official when such a big decision is being made can lead to a different sanction in terms of weeks,” he said.

“To sum up, we don’t want referees to overreact when they realise the player with adrenaline in the heat of the moment says something that two minutes later he’ll be sorry about. I’m pretty sure Bundee, when he was back in his seat, was saying ‘actually I am in trouble here’.

“At that moment, he would have defended with his life because he’s part of a team and realises he’s let his team down, he tries to defend it.

“If we sense it is becoming a problem and we’ll send out a message to the clubs first that match officials will not tolerate it and it’s a club problem. If it comes on to the field, we as match officials will deal with it in the harshest way.”