However, with the growing incorporation of technology into the game, the long-standing subjectivity of officiating is undergoing transformation, generating both enthusiasm and discussion among the rugby community. In the 19th Century the sport of rugby was played without a designated referee. Teams used to depend on captains or friendly agreements to settle disagreements, showing how rugby started out based on trust, good sportsmanship and most importantly respect, which to me are the foundations of the sport. But as the competition ramped up, it became clear that there was a need for unbiased supervision. The first referees were brought in to be impartial judges, but their power was pretty restricted. At first, it was the umpires chosen by the teams who handled disputes, and the referee would only get involved if the umpires couldn’t come to a consensus—definitely a big difference from the strong authority referees have now.
In 1892, the Rugby Football Union (RFU) made a big change by bringing in a rule that said there should be just one referee in charge of matches, getting rid of the old system with two umpires. This move helped streamline decision-making and made sure the rules were applied consistently. The arrival of referees using whistles was a game-changer. The whistle became the go-to signal for halting play, calling out fouls, and keeping everything in check on the field.
When the sport turned professional in 1995, officiating became a specialised discipline, with referees undergoing rigorous physical and theoretical training to keep up with the faster pace and increased stakes of professional matches. Throughout its history, the referee has always been a key part of rugby, representing the sport’s main values like respect, fairness, and sportsmanship. Their job goes beyond just enforcing the rules; they also make sure the game is played with the right attitude, which is a big part of rugby’s culture.
Referees have the freedom to interpret the game as it happens, making calls that fit the rhythm of play, the competitive nature, and the specific moments on the field. Sometimes these calls may not be correct, but must be accepted as such.This approach means rugby isn’t just about following a strict list of rules; it’s more like a dynamic event where fairness is based on the context. For players, this human touch encourages creativity and flexibility, while for fans, it brings excitement and a feeling of connection. As technology keeps pushing to make refereeing decisions more uniform and less personal, it raises some interesting questions about what we might be giving up. Will taking away the human element make rugby fairer, or will it strip away some of the sport’s essence? The subjective nature of refereeing is such a core part of rugby’s identity and why it still matters, even as we embrace more tech-driven accuracy.
Since the implementation of new technologies such as the Television Match Official (TMO), real-time tracking systems, and AI-based analytics, the future of officiating is more uniformed and less susceptible to human error. I believe that the referee is the 31st player on the pitch, and just as the players make mistakes whilst playing, so will the referee. However, over the last few years as technology has evolved I have seen a significant increase in criticism of referees. Mainly due to video replays being broadcast on television and on big screens within the stadiums. This is creating nasty confrontation and deformation of referees that doesn’t belong in the world of rugby. I feel that the mutual respect the players had when there was no referee and the captains made the calls needs to be rekindled. If not, the ripple effect will mean that the TMO will get involved in every aspect of the game in an effort to make sure the game is played perfectly, which will only increase the stop start game we are seeing more and more of today.
To me, rugby is theatre—an intricate dance of power and grace, where every pass, tackle, and try tells a story, and the raw emotion of players and fans alike transforms the game into something timeless and deeply human. I have played rugby since I could walk, and in recent years become a qualified referee and officiated many matches. From my experiences, the human connection is why we love the sport, whether it be linking up to scrummage in the pouring rain with 8 gentle lunatics or sharing a pint with an 80 minute enemy post match. If rugby is theatre the referee is the director and is deeply interwoven within the fabric of the game and needs to be preserved.
