is Wayne Barnes a good ref or a totally useless one?

[bushfire]

Think that Barnes '07 has been done to death now. All referess can have shockers and you just have to move on. Think he is an ok ref, don't think that he is biased, but, as has been noted before, the game now is so intense and fast it has become virtually impossible to get all the calls right. I think at each break down the ref could call 3 or 4 penalties. The worst case of refereeing i have seen in a big game was Joubert in the 03 final were he got the scrum all wrong and nearly cost the eng team the final. Eng just got on and won though and that is all you can do on these occasions.

 

[smartcooky]

Daylight Rule is when the defending player makes a tackle, he must first release (this is where the daylight part comes in) before he can play the ball...

Daylight = Space between the tackled player and the tackler's arms

Err, that is not correct, strictly speaking. What you call the "daylight rule" is not a rule at all, its an operational guideline for referees and it only applies in one set of circumstances; when the tackler remains on is feet and in the gate.

This came about because in Law 15, a player who brings the ball carrier to ground, but does not go to ground himself, is not a tackler. Under normal circumstances, the player must release the tackled player, then go around and come in through the gate. But what was happening is that players would sometimes be able to bring the ball carrier to ground in such a position that they themselves were already standing in the gate. In order to give the opportunity for the tackled player to push, pass or place the ball, the IRB decided that this player must temporarily release the tackled player, and make obvious separation, i.e. show daylight, between their hands and the tackled player.


The IRB Laws Committee ruled on this in 2010. Here is the ruling (with the relevant par highlighted in red)

[TEXTAREA]Ruling in Law by the Designated Members of the Rugby Committee

Ruling
1-2010
Union
IRFU
Law Reference
15
Date
10 March '10
Request: The IRFU request a Ruling related to Law 15.6 (c) as follows:

“Law 15.6(c) was introduced in 2009, and the stated purpose was to write into Law Ruling No. 13 of 2003, and Nos. 3 and 8 of 2004.

We are of the firm opinion that 15.6(c) does not reflect accurately these Rulings:

• The Rulings clearly deal with an opponent of a tackled player, who remains on his feet, and is on the tackled player’s side of the tackle. This player must release and re-enter from his own side.
• This is the only requirement within these Rulings in relation to a player on his feet who is an opponent of the tackled player.
• The Rulings also state that players can play the ball if they have come from their own side, and are on their feet. There is no requirement within the Rulings for a player, who has always been on his side of the tackle, to release the ball.
• As written 15.6(c) is inclusive of all players on their feet, and this does not meet the objective of the Rulings.

Furthermore, Law 15.6(c) is anomalous and in contradiction with several other sections within the totality of Law 15 â€" particularly 15.5(b) and 15.6(b).

We ask the Designated Members to consider the above observations and to determine if a re-write (or clarification) of 15.6(c) is necessary so it reflects correctly and accurately the Rulings No. 13 of 2003, and Nos. 3 and 8 of 2004, and to remove the current anomaly in Law.

In view of the recent focus and discussions in relation to this Law, we would also ask that this request is treated with the utmost urgency.â€

Ruling of the Designated Members of the Rugby Committee

In the Designated Members opinion the Law amendment, Law 15 6 (c) reflects the Rulings 13 â€" 2008, 3 and 8 2004. In order to clarify the situation the Designated Members’ comments are included below.

A player who is brought to the ground when carrying the ball is a tackled player. (Definition)
A player who goes to ground when tackling a player is known as a tackler. (Definition)
A player who brings a player to ground who is carrying the ball is not a tackler (Definition), however, this player has completed a tackle.

A tackler must release the tackled player (Law 15.4 (a)).
The tackled player must pass or release the ball (Law 15.5(b)).
The tackled player may release the ball by putting the ball on the ground in any direction (Law 15.5 (c)).
The tackled player may release the ball by pushing the ball along the ground (Law 15.5 (d)).
However, if opposition players who are on their feet attempt to play the ball, the tackled player must release the ball (Law 15.5 (e)).

Players arriving at a tackle may play the ball providing they are on their feet (Law 15.6 (b)).
Players who were attached to the player who is tackled, and who remain on their feet, must release the player and the ball (Law 15.6 (c)) and then may play the ball in accordance with Law 15.6 (b).

Law Ruling 8 of 2004 stated that the players who are not tacklers are covered by Law 15.7(c) (2008 Law) and those players can only play the ball if they approach from behind the ball and from directly behind the tackled player or the tackler closest to those players’ goal-line.

To approach behind the tackled player means the tackle has taken place and the revised Law 15.6 (c) (2009) makes that very clear.[/TEXTAREA]

 

[mikefoot1]

Barnes has been dire this World Cup ... made to many errors that have possibly affected the outcomes of games.

You sir, are the most correct man ever. EVER.