Rugby News, Analysis, History, Schedule, Rumours
While strategic to new breakdown law variations, the recent changes to the ruck have been received positively. Super Rugby Aotearoa wants to test these innovations, to judge how successful the law variations will be taken to by players and referees. Last Word on Rugby’s resident rugby referee, Scott MacLean, has cast his eye over breakdown […] READ MORE
Not always, but for the most, a red card in a rugby match is tantamount to a ‘give way’ sign. The defensive effort is often too much – especially if that occurred in the opening half or the third quarter. But as Super Rugby Aotearoa gets set to return, some law variations being trialed will […] READ MORE
Dangerous, high tackles and the use of the Television Match Official (TMO) system have been a controversial topic dominating rugby headlines for over the past decade. Stricter laws were enforced in May this year with World Rugby releasing a Decision-making Framework for High Tackles to ensure refereeing decisions were consistent and accurate. However, calls have […] READ MORE
With the Northern hemisphere on hiatus for the summer, and the Southern competition nearing to the end of the 2018 Super Rugby season, some recent page one story lines are drying up. However, there is one that isn’t going away – the spate of red card’s issued in recent weeks. Rugby’s ultimate sanction, and it’s […] READ MORE
Scott MacLean is an active rugby referee in Wellington (NZ), and writes for Last Word On Rugby predominantly from the ‘match officials’ viewpoint.