Warren Gatland says a couple of law tweaks could significantly improve the game.<\/p>\n
Having spent time consulting with World Rugby\u2019s match officials since stepping away from coaching Wales, Gatland admits he has gained a new appreciation for the pressures referees face \u2013 and why consistency remains such a challenge.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere has been some controversy around yellow and red cards, especially in the high-contact area,\u201d Gatland wrote in his latest column for The Telegraph.<\/a> \u201cReferees know they are not perfect, but what I see is a group working incredibly hard to get things right.\u201d<\/p>\n From his new vantage point, Gatland says referees are focusing on four key areas: creating space, speeding up ball availability, improving safety and restoring proper contest at scrum and maul time. However, he believes this has not been communicated clearly enough to fans, teams or broadcasters.<\/p>\n \u201cOne of the most negative effects on the game can come from commentators saying \u2018that\u2019s a terrible decision\u2019 when they don\u2019t fully understand the law,\u201d he noted, calling for greater collaboration and transparency.<\/p>\n Gatland would also like to see officials feel more comfortable admitting mistakes post-match.<\/p>\n \u201cReferees will get more respect when they acknowledge a wrong call rather than trying to defend everything,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n On the laws themselves, Gatland highlighted two specific areas he would change.<\/p>\n The first is the breakdown. He believes any player tackled to ground \u2013 even if not held \u2013 should be forced to release the ball and get back to their feet before playing on.<\/p>\n \u201cAt the moment there\u2019s confusion,\u201d Gatland explained. \u201cThis tweak would speed the game up and remove grey areas around releasing and rolling away.\u201d<\/p>\n His second proposed change concerns the 50-22. While he supports the law, Gatland wants it simplified by removing the clause that cancels it if the ball is passed back into a team\u2019s half before the kick.<\/p>\n \u201cLet\u2019s make it simpler for players, referees and fans,\u201d he wrote. \u201cIf a player is inside his own half, the 50-22 should be on.\u201d<\/p>\n