Rugby union match officials are responsible for enforcing the laws of rugby union during a match. "Every match is under the control of match officials who consist of the referee and two touch judges or assistant referees." Further officials can be authorised depending on the level and form of the game.

History

When the game of rugby union was developed at Rugby school, there were no official rugby referees. It was not until many years later when the game began to spread internationally that an official was included. Before the creation of rugby referees, the captains from both teams would set the rules down before the game began. The two captains would arbitrate the game together as it went on. This is where the ‘advantage’ law comes from in rugby union. This was because a team’s captain was not likely to complain or stop play if his side benefited from the other team’s infringement. In 1892, the International Rugby Board was created as a result of a disputed try as the captains could not agree on whether it had been scored. The rugby laws were changed to require one referee and two touch judges at each game to make the arbitration easier and more consistent. Since then the match officials' job has been broadly unchanged. The main changes have been:

Equipment

Compulsory equipment

Rugby union match officials must use the following equipment:

Other common equipment

Rugby union match officials may use the following equipment:

Positions and responsibilities

Referee

Pre-match

Before the game, a referee must:

During the match

The duties of the referee during the game are:

After the match

After the game a referee is required to:

Referee's signals

The referee having made a decision is required to indicate the decision by blowing the whistle and signalling. Primary signals relate to what decision is being awarded. For example, whether a scrum or penalty is awarded. Secondary signals relate to why the decision is being awarded. For example, a knock-on (scrum) or a high tackle (penalty). There are also signals for stoppages in time, replacement and scoring to ensure everyone knows what is happening.

Touch judge and assistant referee

Assistant referees are appointed by the union in charge of the fixture. They are either themselves qualified referees or qualified assistant referees. Assistant referees may be asked to help with duties that touch judges cannot. Touch judges are normally supplied by the teams playing, one from each team.

Pre-match

During the match

During the game touch judges and assistant referees must: Additional responsibilities of assistant referees:

After the match

A touch judge has no responsibilities after a match. The only responsibility an assistant referee has is to complete a written report to send to the referee that is then sent to the union in charge of the game. The report is only required if a player has been sent off or temporarily suspended because of their report on foul play.

Touch judge and assistant referees signals

The touch judges and assistant referees cannot stop play, but can signal the referee to enable them to assist him.

Television match official (TMO)

Often referred to as the TMO, a television match official may be appointed to assist the referee in determining whether points have been scored or foul play has been committed. A television match official can only rule on exactly what the referee asks them; however, they can direct the referee's attention to foul play by speaking to him through his earpiece. Television match officials are commonly used in first-class and international televised games.

Substitution controller

At higher levels of rugby, some games have appointed substitution controllers (sometimes called the "fourth official" and "fifth official"). These officials liaise with the teams and ensure they only use their permitted number of substitutions. They also indicate to the referee when a substitute is ready to come on. They often use signs with the numbers of the player coming off and the player going on the field, so this is one less thing for the referee to worry about. If an assistant referee is injured then one of the substitution controllers will take the place of the assistant referee.

Timekeeper

A timekeeper may also be appointed to indicate to the referee when they believe a half should end. Ultimately, it is up to the referee to decide.

In-goal judge

In-goal judges are used in the seven-a-side variation of rugby union to assist the referee in awarding a try and signalling kicks at goal instead of the assistant referees. In-goal judges are not required in a game where a TMO is present.

Referee assaults

One study found that around 6% of United Kingdom referees surveyed had been physically assaulted. A further examination of the study found that rugby union referees' fear of being assaulted was a significant factor for increased stress. The same study found that rugby referees were most concerned about being assaulted by a spectator or coach. A study by Rainey and Hardy found that it was in fact players who committed assaults on referees the most, contributing to 79% of all assaults on referees. As a reaction to this rugby unions have begun handing out long bans and large fines to individuals who physically assault a referee, and more recently verbal assault of referees has also received severe punishments. Now the common punishment for a player punching a referee or anything similar is a lifetime ban. The laws of the game have also been changed to help this by making it compulsory for any official to report any abuse on them or another official to the union in charge of the fixture.

Appointments

The Union in charge of the fixture usually appoints the match officials. The IRB International Referees Panel appoints referees for international matches. Other major competitions such as Super Rugby, Heineken Cup and age group World Cups use a similar system.