Warren Gatland has joked that he has moved to rugby\u2019s \u201cdark side\u201d after accepting a surprise consultancy role with World Rugby\u2019s match officials.<\/p>\n
The former Wales head coach says working closely with referees during the British & Irish Lions tour has given him a completely new appreciation of the pressures officials face, particularly amid intense scrutiny over red cards, high tackles and consistency.<\/p>\n
He wrote in his column for The Telegraph<\/a>: \u201cGoing across to the dark side (only joking!) has given me a whole new perspective and appreciation for the work that the referees are doing.\u201d<\/p>\n Join our Breaking News and Top Stories WhatsApp community<\/a>\u00a0for all the latest news direct to your phone.<\/p>\n A new respect for referees<\/p>\n Gatland admits referees have been under fire this autumn, especially over decisions in the dangerous high-contact area, but insists they are working tirelessly to improve.<\/p>\n \u201cThey know they are not perfect. But what I see is a group of people working really hard to rectify the issues.\u201d<\/p>\n While acknowledging mistakes \u2013 particularly around yellow and red cards \u2013 Gatland says frustration often comes from rugby\u2019s grey areas.<\/p>\n \u201cI know how frustrating it can be when calls go against your team, particularly those that fall within the grey area.\u201d<\/p>\n He points to issues such as side entry at the ruck, not releasing, or not rolling away quickly enough \u2013 areas where subjectivity is unavoidable.<\/p>\n What referees are really focusing on<\/p>\n Gatland revealed that elite referees meet only a few times a year \u2013 typically before the Autumn Nations Series and Six Nations \u2013 giving them limited time compared to teams preparing for a full season.<\/p>\n Despite this, officials are working hard to align their approach ahead of\u00a0Rugby World Cup 2027, with four key focus areas:<\/p>\n Space: \u201cTrying to create more space when it comes to teams being able to attack.\u201d<\/p>\n Speed of ball: \u201cFocusing on the tackler, and ensuring that the jackaler is completely legal at the breakdown.\u201d<\/p>\n Safety: \u201cThis is important. There have been some mistakes made around this when it comes to consistency.\u201d<\/p>\n Scrum and maul: \u201cEnsuring both scrum and maul allow a contest for the ball and are also legal.\u201d<\/p>\n However, Gatland believes these priorities have not been communicated clearly enough.<\/p>\n \u201cI do not think these focus areas\u2026 have been communicated well enough to the fans, broadcasters and teams.\u201d<\/p>\n Referees should admit mistakes<\/p>\n Speaking from a coach\u2019s perspective, Gatland feels officials would gain more respect by openly acknowledging errors.<\/p>\n \u201cThey will get more respect when they are reviewing a performance and admit that a decision was wrong.\u201d<\/p>\n He also criticised some TV commentary for inflaming situations unnecessarily.<\/p>\n \u201cThe most negative effect on the game can come from a TV commentator who says things like \u2018that was a terrible decision\u2019, but sometimes they are wrong or do not know the law.\u201d<\/p>\n High balls, box kicks and Liam Williams<\/p>\n Gatland says the jury is still out on the clampdown on kicking escorts, arguing it has tilted the balance towards kicking teams.<\/p>\n \u201cThat now weights it more heavily for the team kicking the ball\u2026 That is why we are now seeing more box kicks in the game.\u201d<\/p>\n If he were still coaching, Gatland says he would focus heavily on aerial skills in the back three.<\/p>\n \u201cLiam Williams was one player who was brilliant at this.\u201d<\/p>\n Law changes Gatland would make<\/p>\n Although he has no power to change the laws, Gatland outlined two areas he believes need clarity.<\/p>\n First, the breakdown:<\/p>\n \u201cIf a player is tackled and brought to the ground\u2026 I think they should be forced to release the ball and have to get back on their feet before playing it again.\u201d<\/p>\n Second, the\u00a050:22 law, which he wants simplified.<\/p>\n \u201cLet\u2019s make it simpler for the players, referees and fans.\u201d<\/p>\n He argues that any kick made from inside a team\u2019s own half should activate the law, regardless of where the pass originated.<\/p>\n TMO delays and the bunker<\/p>\n Gatland accepts everyone wants the correct decision but believes the game is suffering from excessive stoppages.<\/p>\n \u201cIn the pursuit of perfection, there can be too many delays.\u201d<\/p>\n His solution?<\/p>\n \u201cIf a referee is convinced an offence is at least a yellow card\u2026 just show a yellow card and put the decision to the bunker straight away.\u201d<\/p>\n EDITORS PICKS:<\/p>\n Players must take responsibility<\/p>\n Gatland also issued a warning to players, saying rugby risks drifting towards football-style behaviour.<\/p>\n \u201cWe have increasingly seen players who experience some head contact being encouraged to stay down.\u201d<\/p>\n He added: \u201cI would like to think that there is a responsibility for the players not to go down if they are not injured.\u201d<\/p>\n \u2018I am not Georgia coach\u2019<\/p>\n Finally, Gatland addressed speculation about his future \u2013 and one rumour in particular.<\/p>\n \u201cFor the record, I am not the new head coach of Georgia.\u201d<\/p>\n After stepping away from Wales, Gatland admits he needed a break from negativity.<\/p>\n \u201cI just do not need this level of negativity from the Welsh media in my life.\u201d<\/p>\n While enjoying time away since February, he has not ruled out a return.<\/p>\n \u201cSome sort of role with a national team going into the next Rugby World Cup could be a good challenge.\u201d<\/p>\n He also left the door open to club rugby \u2013 and even a potential return of fallen Premiership giants.<\/p>\n \u201cIt would be great for the Premiership if clubs with the history and tradition of Wasps, London Irish and Worcester could make a return.\u201d<\/p>\n One thing is clear: Gatland may be on the \u201cdark side\u201d for now, but he\u2019s far from done with the game.<\/p>\n Martin Johnson and Jonny Wilkinson Reveal the Toughest Opponent They Ever Faced<\/p>\n Jonny Wikinson and Martin Johnson have both opened up about the toughest players they respectively faced in their illustrious playing careers.<\/p>\n The 2003 World Cup-winners, along with three of their teammates from that triumph in Sydney, snubbed a number of top stars.<\/p>\n Jonny Wilkinson: Christophe Dominici\u00a0(France)<\/p>\n Dominici played 67 times for his country and won the French championship five times with Stade Fran\u00e7ais before retiring in 2008. In recent years he had worked as a pundit for French radio and\u00a0TV before his death in 2020.<\/a><\/p>\n WILKINSON SAID:\u00a0\u201cHis opportunism, his flair, his game reading, his sheer explosivity to really change a game is something that sticks in my memory.\u201d<\/p>\n DID YOU KNOW?\u00a0Dominci appeared in three World Cups for his country in 1999, 2003 and 2007, scoring eight tries over that time.<\/p>\n CONTINUES ON PAGE TWO<\/a><\/p>\n Like this:<\/p>\n Like Loading…<\/p>\n