Red Card Replacement Rule: Is This The FUTURE of Rugby? | Whistle Watch with Nigel Owens

[@WorldRugby]

Questions for Nigel? 🤷🏻‍♂️ Opinions on the new red card rule in Super Rugby? 🔴 Can you play rugby with a chicken? 🐓 Anything you'd like to see in a future episode of Whistle Watch? 💡 We read ALL of your comments so get involved below! 👇

[@OoHAUNT3RZoO]

What is this worst place and weather you have refereed in?

[@WorldRugby]

@@OoHAUNT3RZoO Great question! Will ask him this one

[@joedove8113]

What is your second favourite sport?

[@faluchxs9993]

Que otra cosa harías si no fueras árbitro de rugby?

[@WorldRugby]

@@joedove8113 What's yours?

[@reinhardtherrmann5485]

I am a South African and I would not mind Nigel Owens refereeing a game between Wales and RSA. That's how good of a ref he is(was) to me.

[@BawlzOfuzz]

I agree boettie. He is one of the greatest.

[@gordon1545]

Same, I'd have been happy with him taking charge of Scotland V Wales. The thing that makes him stand out from all the others is his feel for the game, his sense in the moment of what matters and what doesn't. Matches under him were always more likely to be fluid and open.

[@bigmanmichael3807]

i think most england fans would've preferred him to ref the last england wales game with how it turned out

[@BawlzOfuzz]

@@bigmanmichael3807 French ref 🤷‍♂️

[@pacman4568]

Then you've never seen our Nigel reff Ospreys v Scarlets. Brilliant reff but he does not need to put his reputation on the line.

[@46rossithedoc]

Red means off, you take no further part. The two no hands tackles clearing people out in the Nation's, red cards and deservedly so. I think for some of these just being sent off is not enough, maybe a two match ban on top of the card. Some of these tackles could be career ending.

[@Zinkx.]

the player themselves cant come back on they get replaced. Tho I deffs agree that maybe if you get red carded you have to take games off but imo they should still be allowed to be replaced after to limit say a full game of 14 on 15

[@calumbinnie1938]

I think this red replacement would be fine for certain red cards, the Scotland red against Wales for example would be good because it wasn’t intentional and was attempting to clear a live player, but for something like violent conduct they shouldn’t be replaced, mistakes can happen so have a penalty in for the team if they do but don’t ruin the game because of it

[@adriaannel2747]

I think it’s a good idea in certain situations, there is times where by law a player must get a red, but it wasn’t necessarily intentional. They could maybe work out a system where they have a card in between red and yellow to make up for non intentional red card penalties

[@willnorton2878]

I’ve never had a funnier rugby encounter, where the ref pulled a “that’s not what your mother said last night” joke during a scrum on the halfway line. Both front rows fell over, not by collapsing but out of laughter!

[@WorldRugby]

😂 We will ask Nigel for his best jokes by refs!

[@PHX787]

i fell in love with Rugby during the 2019 world cup here in Japan. Never paid attention to a game in my life til my English and Welsh friends told me to check it out. SO i did. Japan vs Ireland, at a pub near my station...oh boy that was WILD! One thing that really stood out to me, an American (who lives in Japan) that loves all sorts of sports, was the refs in Rugby. I love how transparent the game is. You hear everything the refs say, the video replay officials, and a thorough explanation of the calls. There's no gray area or confusing rules like American Football, or inconsistencies like in Hockey. This sport is a sport of honor and that really resonates well with me. I love this series! Glad Nigel is still doing stuff for the sport even though he's retired (from reffing at least lol)

[@YungRegan]

Give us a "Holy s*** that just happened" moment while reffing a game

[@benjdelphi]

I fell in love with Rugby when I was in College and talking an Old Man on the men's side who punched me in the jaw on the way down. While we were both buried under the ruck he apologized and said, "Sorry, still adjust to the new school style, I owe you a pint after this." Red Card replacements are a bad idea. Rugby is going to get more dangerous as players get bigger and stronger, and safety of our athletes has to be the primary concern. Expanding mitigation may make sense, but a red cards changes behavior, everything else adjusts strategy.

[@jonocooper9232]

My favorite Ref story was from Rugbytown 7s in 2018. I was on a team of 3 with Chris Huff ("Chuff") in the center and Steve Gore and myself as ARs. Chuff gets a little nervous when he refs so Steve said that at the 12-minute mark of the match he would sing to Chuff over the radio set to cheer him up. Come the 12th minute, Chuff is setting up a scrum, and Gore over the radio starts to sing. Chuff is setting up the scrum and starts the cadence. "Crouch, Bind ...." before he gets to set, he turns his head and throws up. Keep in mind this is while the camera is on him so he is front and center stage. But he turns his head back forward and finishes "... set." we continued the rest of the 2 minutes wondering if anyone noticed. I believe the moral of the story is, do not let Steve Gore sing over the radio to you while you ref.

[@WorldRugby]

🤣

[@mlguy8376]

Quickly becoming one of my fav KZbin video series.

[@Martinlgn]

replacing a sent off player defeats the purpose, we would see much more red cards I presume. you know, replacement second rows starting the game just to injure the 10, getting sent off, and replaced at half time by the normal starting lock

[@sebp3249]

They’d incur bans for later games mate. No professional goes onto a rugby pitch intending to injure - if they do they’ll get outed for it and an appropriate ban. The rule’s good, wouldn’t have such drastic impact on a games result while the player individually still gets the punishment for their mistake (rather than the entire team).

[@roberts2231]

@@sebp3249 but in big game’s players might get big money to injure. But its a team sport so the whole team should get punished

[@sebp3249]

@@roberts2231 The sport isn't like that, having played rugby for a sizeable portion of my life the sport isn't malicious - those that are, tend to not be very good.

[@stevenmcalister826]

@@sebp3249 What use is it for the player to get banned after? Then the team who had to offence down to them doesn’t get the benefit of the player being a man up.

[@sebp3249]

@@stevenmcalister826 The aim of a red card isn't to benefit the team with the victim, it's to discipline the player at fault for making a red card offense. A team shouldn't be at fault of one player's bad technique - the player should hold full responsibility. There is an argument that the shame of making your team play 14-men is part of the punishment, I will give you that. There's also an argument that having 14men increases fatigue earlier and thus potential for injury.

[@mattmorton312]

Quick questions about charging down conversions. Does the movement have to forward before the defenders charge? Owen Farrell begins his kicking movement by stepping backwards and I noticed that Italy began their charging when he took his first step backwards. Is this legal, or should the ref have allowed him to retake the kicks? Thanks

[@joshuaowen6185]

The red card needs to remain as is. If you want to introduce something like the 20 minutes or forced replacement then do so but removing the current red card is irresponsible.

[@BTBDech]

I agree: maybe we can have both by creating the... ORANGE CARD! :D We can keep the red card for really serious faults and use the orange one because "well, rules are rules, and if you caressed for a nanosecond the chin of your opponent with your shoulder, then I need to send you away".

[@lukedunne3747]

@@BTBDech things are complex enough deciding if it is red or yellow. Orange would make it impossible to make the right decision

[@BTBDech]

@@lukedunne3747 of course :D

[@job5437]

In Gaelic Football we have something called the black card, which is a forced substitution (but don't have the sin bin). It's used for unsportsmanlike conduct that doesn't warrant a red or yellow and works pretty well

[@lukedunne3747]

@@job5437 ye I am Irish so I am aware of the black card but there are few ‘professional fouls’ in rugby that a yellow card doesn’t cover

[@BenJubb2]

Looks like Wales won't be winning anymore games if this happens ☹️

[@madogapmeurigfawr3287]

Cheer up Ben FFS.

[@pacman4568]

Cut you deep didn't it.

[@eoinob1]

Nigel did you play rugby and what position did you play? And who is the best player you've reffed in that position?

[@cymrocam]

He did, messed a kick up was told to become a ref instead.

[@ThePereubu1710]

I can't agree with a red card replacement. There has to be an ultimate sanction if dangerous play is to be controlled.

[@wernerschneider4460]

Nor do I. This means that in theory that more than half a dozen players could be red-carded and their teams still has 15 players on the field. This is not the spirit of rugby. Although in American Football this is theoretically possible. When a player is disqualified there it's always a personal penalty, never for his team.

[@gregoryleroy5646]

If they implement this then they need to make player suspensions longer

[@Connor6569]

But the problem is most red cards you see are accidents imo. Most players don't purposely do head high, or dangerous tackles. Red cards completely ruin games

[@ant208]

Have to be one man less for at least 10min, then replaced

[@marlowcasinochips]

@@ant208 that’s exactly what I was going to say

[@atomic_bear]

Teams have got pretty good at dealing with 14 men, especially in international rugby, there no need for a replacement

[@agnostic47]

So losing a player isn't a problem? It tells the longer it goes on.

[@jimjim401]

I fell in love with Rugby when an All Blacks game was excerpted on ABC's Wide World of Sports in the 1960s. I saw an All Black -- in retrospect it was a back, and probably a winger -- chip the ball over fullback -- possibly English -- swerve around him, gather the ball one-handed on the fly and dive in for a try. I also thought that there was something honest about a game in which a touchdown had to be touched down. A decade later, I walked on to play (badly) for the University of Toronto second team. I still have a soft spot for loose head props, because it was my favourite position.

[@michaeltrumper]

Having a red-carded player replaced after 20 minutes would be a great improvement. The player is still subject to suspensions, but the rash actions of one player doesn't take away from a competitive match. Similar with a game misconduct in hockey, player is dismissed but the team does not play short handed for the rest of the game.

[@22dropouts6]

Good morning Nigel, Lovely to see you riding Bertha around the fields. May we, as referees and broadcasters of potentially the worst rugby chat show on KZbin, ask you for a clarification to your comments in this episode about charging the kicker please? You explained a kicker has to "physically take a step forward". We don't want to be nauses (but we did cover this on our show). In July 2020 New Zealand Rugby asked for a Law Clarification on this matter and the response was "The moment the kicker moves in any direction it is deemed that he is ‘approaching to kick’." NOT solely a move forward. We know that players and coaches at grass roots will all be quoting you when rugby returns, be great if their understanding agreed with the referee's!! Thanks Nige

[@symeremeyers4148]

Perhaps a black card could be introduced where a player could be sent on after 25 minutes of the team who infringed. For example if in the 15th minute of the game a player on one team commits foul play that is more than a yellow card but less than a red they could give the black card. the player who commits the foul play is off for the rest of the game however after 25 minutes they are allowed to replace him.

[@andreafranceschini3889]

This is already one of my favorite segment on KZbin

[@Curry-hill]

Enjoying videos keep em coming. Looking forward to your view on last weekend. We need honesty Nigel

[@James-rc6qq]

Surely you cant decrease the severity of red cards. Completely the opposite id reccommend, make the bans longer, a greater deterrent

[@joshjourdan2824]

I reffed an U14s school game and didn’t realise that I forgot my cards at home, had to give out 4 yellow cards, but had to explain to the player every time I didn’t have cards and made them walk off without actually being shown a card.

[@shaunk6822]

I agree with the general sentiment - a red card means your team is down a player for the rest of the match. It ensures the seriousness of a red card is respected by both players and officials.

[@mobsquad8500]

Nigel. Your the best!!!!! Thank you for the series!!!! Red card, I’m American and love the game of rugby...if I wanted to watch players get away with cheap and reckless hits, and reap no consequences...I will start watching American football. If anything the player should receive harsher penalties!

[@natesw2652]

What a gem Nigel is, and what a treat it is to have him in this format! More please!! How about a segment with him and the Squidge?

[@oneHenderson]

In hockey we have a 3 cards system, which might prove a useful example to Rugby. Green = 2 mins in the sin bin, great for smaller issues and due to the rolling subs, that player is usually benched for the next 5 or so by the coach. Yellow = is an open ended temporary sin bin, minimum of 5 mins, no maximum, and purely at the discretion of the umpire. Red = you are ejected from the game, including leaving the field of play and supporters area, minimum of a one match ban and a hearing (some league systems may do this last part differently) Essentially the green card allows for control of the game and with a punishment significant enough to be effective for smaller infringements but not a game ender. Yellow, means you can be flexible with the grade of your punishments, so it fits the crime. We rarely see reds as its generally there for serious and dangerous moments. I have only ever seen one as a player and never as an umpire. Also the paper work is a night mare so at the amateur end we just give a yellow and don't let that player back on.... Rugby may want to look at using the the same system, keep red cards as the ban, have an open ended yellow and a green to replace the original yellow card. Thoughts?

[@robinholland1136]

I think there are some offences - both intentional and accidental - that merit a player being sent off for the remainder of the match, foul play and dangerous play being the obvious ones. The idea of replacing the player after 20 minutes is fraught with problems, many of which have been mentioned in the comments below. No. I think the red card rule should stand as it is now. Looking forward (with a bit of trepidation, I must admit) to this Saturday and Wales v England. As an English student in Wales in the early 70s, I can remember trips to the Arms Park in 71 and 73, which ended in the predictable disappointment. Fantastic day out, mind! Can't remember much of the coach journey back to mid Wales though . . .

[@scottking4797]

Finally another episode

[@WorldRugby]

Back every Wednesday!

[@maciuchrissakealevu2054]

@@WorldRugby Where can I ask questions?

[@WorldRugby]

@@maciuchrissakealevu2054 Right here Maciu!

[@dimitardobrev3296]

Im loving this series.

[@banjopiggottwright1802]

I think there needs to be more criteria in order for a team to have the PRIVILEGE of having 15 men on the field again after the said 20 minutes. 1. The Offending Team hasn't used all of their replacements on their bench. 2. The Offending Team had another player sent to the sin bin or sent off altogether. 3. The Offending Player from the offending team, hadn't been sent off after the 60th minute of regular play. Once ALL three of the criteria are met, then and only then can a red carded team be allowed to have 15 men on the field again.

[@kyphilburg]

My club team in Ontario played a game with a ref who had been shot through the shoilder in a hunting accident a few days before our game. He was pretty sore still and consequently not all that quick on his feet. This meant that when a scrumy under pressure on his own 5m line tried to clear from the ruck, the ref wasn't able to dodge and took the hit directly on the injured shoulder. He was down for a solid 5 mins before he was able to continue. I say solid 5 minutes... it was actually howver long it took him to drink a beer the physio from the home team offered gim. Ours wasn't a particularly high level or serious league so he got loads of chat about drinking on the job and being drunk every time he awarded a penalty or we had a scrum. While injury wasn't funny, the moment sure made for an amusing game.

[@RoyBattyLives]

Keep the red card the way it is, keep the deterrent in place, there can’t be any softening of the rules. Players have to know there’s consequences to dangerous play

[@dreammaker9642]

If a player can be replaced after 20mins with a red card then why have a yellow card? Why have a card at all ?

[@matthewh8812]

My favourite ref moment was seeing you in carmarthen one day, and having a chat. Then later that day shouting that you needed glasses at the scarlets match

[@shiggins1324]

This is a thoroughly enjoyable channel to watch.. keep it up Nigel!

[@benweston9390]

I reckon a replacement player after 20 minutes for a red would be good, as currently there is a massive difference in the affect a red card has at 5 mins in vs. 75 mins

[@simeoncharles7674]

My funniest moment as a ref (and i don't think I'm alone on this one) blowing the whistle when I saw the ball cross the 22 thinking it was the goal line. Only to have the school kids tell me to look up I'm far away from the goal

[@struck2soon]

Nigel Owens: brilliant!

[@MimesAgainstHunmanity]

These videos are gold. I will subscribe just for them.

[@toughmat88]

I was lucky enough to see you referee the Wales vs Barbarians. How did it honestly feel referring your home nation being that you were the 1st to do so?

[@Alaster-]

That burn on Dan Carter thinking he was ref = Gold!!

[@HarriHalttunen]

I think the red card replacement rule does not give strong enough message to the players when some really dangerous hits or throws are executed (like in the video). That said, there may very well be situations where the replacement rule would be the most appropriate decision to make. So, what if there is a third card, let's say orange (as it is the colour between yellow and red in the colour wheel) which allows the replacement whereas the red card does not allow it.

[@stephencollinson2334]

Awesome stuff Nigel. You are a rugby legend. Always be you 😀

[@Liammillard_94]

I remember during my very first game of rugby, the referee had to be replaced because he strained his calf running down a breakaway. We all applauded him as he was stretchered off.

[@georgebaker2122]

Why can't we keep red cards as they are for really serious offences and add another card with the 20 mins sin bin and a forced substitution?

[@chiefsgirl1307]

Exactly. Red card for serious offences with intent like punching or gouging & orange cards for other offences that are deemed red as well but have no malice or intent and are more accidental e.g. front row player tackles the opposing scrum half in the chest area but because of size difference between the two players the front row players arm slips up after first contact to the chest causing the scrum half to get hit in the chin. I have seen many players who have been red carded for this. Under todays laws that is deemed contact to the head and is a red card offence so with this new law that could be an orange card and that player could be replaced after 20min.

[@sammtbuk2091]

Back in u15s we were playing in our local derby game, and the ref started a fight with one of our players, safe to say he’s not allowed to referee anymore

[@profeuphorbe]

Another question to Nigel: For this pandemic Period stadiums are closed for supporters. So it's hard for clubs about business, for supporters whi can only wtach at home and can't feel the spirit. What about the ref ? I mean he or she does the job and keep concentrated on the match & decisions. Have you felt sometimes been "leaded" by supporters for any decision ?

[@bics-tc8vr]

Red is off every time. When you see the worst red cards.... They're usually deserved. I'm a big fan of both rugby codes and I love the toughness and how physical the game is, but I can't stand cheap shots ever regardless of the teams playing. A bad decision on the pitch can lead to the game descending into madness with no rules left. I love a tough battle and a bit of a scrap as long as it's all fair. Thank you Nigel for being the best referee of any sport I've ever watched. You were always fair.......I also love cricket

[@kabous2plus326]

Nigel! You got the call spot on with Wales 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿 beating England 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿

[@Jt-rz1nl]

Crikey, red card for only 20 minutes would lead to carnage, we can see that can't we?!

[@tedbaber4972]

Opinions on Pascal Gauzère and his referring on the Wales vs England match.

[@kenmay1572]

Biggest mistake? What about the match after which, on the phone, the first thing your dad said was "I cant believe you missed that forward pass"

[@catherineandpaulfuters2523]

A red card should remain as it is. Players and teams know the consequences for foul play and they are the same for both teams.

[@markmoss680]

My funniest rugby referee moment was when I was refereeing Sandal RFC and their fly half caught the ball and made a B line straight for me sending me flying on my own clubs first team pitch. It is even more embarrassing as I was a adult front row forward and she was a u15 girl. There is a video on twitter of it 😅

[@melbeeswax6087]

I think the 20 min idea may have some merit in these 'accidental / clumsy' reds we are seeing for the new head impact law. Leaving the full red for the 'proper' dirty stuff.

[@regmac64]

No deterrent if it's only a 20 min penalty.

[@MimesAgainstHunmanity]

Red should mean off for the game.

[@peterclark6290]

If a Rugby player gets to the point where he feels he is compelled to infringe at the 'red' level then the entire organisation - management, coaches, players and fans need to learn to resist that possibility. Through selection, training, understanding the Laws in depth etc. Nothing else can be done except a sending off. IOW don't risk infringements (are you listening Eddie? Ireland?) The game was originally designed to produce leaders of warriors. Quick-thinking, 100% fit, composed, strong(ish) men. The Laws as they changing now are favouring the thick, plodding boofs who need constant stoppages to process what's going on. I watch games with a digit hovering over the fast-forward button these days. The same argument can be used against the entire replacement rule; including the yellow card. Don't use players who are borderline 80 minute players. Play fair, hard, fast, skillful Rugby using the type of men the game used to produce. Which will be much more entertaining than 10-15 minutes of strolling, resetting, debates with open-mouthed twits, micro-managing front-rowers etc.

[@pantx0]

Nigels Owens doing these videos feels like watching Mr. Roger's Neighborhood! Will you be my neighbor?

[@asmodean26]

Its not good for the game to have a replacement after 20 minutes for a send off. It makes the coaches more recless and can give captains an incentive to ask players to ‘take one for the team’ by injuring a critical opponent early in the game. I do not know if there is a rule in rugby were a match is abandoned after a team has got x red cards (soccer it is four), but if not then they should add that and/or lower it. Also if it is implemented I think it should count as one substitution.

[@lucafindlayson1324]

Who do you think is the next up coming player?? Rees-Zammit definitely comes to mind!!

[@markchip1]

'Ang on a minute, Nigel... "Bertha", your tractor, is made by Quickie - my wheelchair is a Quickie too!!! (But it's a fair bit smaller & the tyres don't do very well in mud!)

[@rwags6848]

Red card view from a NZ fan... Premise: - A 15 vs 14 (or whatever) game is effectively game over (if within the 1st hour or so). - A red card should focus on the offending individual, not permanently disadvantage the whole team. - The ref (in conjunction with assistants and video ref), should still have ultimate decision making authority (eg: accidental over the 90 degrees, should not be red) Suggested rules... - A red card should be more severe than a [10 min] yellow. So, 15-20 minutes off. - The offending player should not be allowed back on but can be replaced. - The offending player should be assessed by a post match committee, for further punishment (eg: banned for X games). PS: the captains call to the referee, once per game is a great step forward. eg: Scotland should have been able to raise the off-side issue with Joubert, when they played Oz in RWC 2015. It wasn’t Jouberts fault. His hands were tied. Or as Kiwi, I could always raise the French forward pass that was missed and put out us out of the RWC 2007.

[@stevenmcalister826]

Cards aren’t just focused on the offending individual, like every other infringement in rugby, the whole team has to pay the price. And if you go down to 14 men with over an hour left and you stop trying, then you deserve to lose.

[@rwags6848]

@@stevenmcalister826 We agree to disagree. PS: I don’t believe the ABs “stopped trying” against the Lions after SBW was sent off... but the game was effectively over.

[@stevenmcalister826]

@@rwags6848 Then SBW should’ve used his arms. Which he has a history of failing to do that.

[@rwags6848]

@@stevenmcalister826 Agreed but you’re missing the point. The game was over after his illegal tackle. A disappointment for the fans and a hollow victory for the Lions.

[@garmit61]

That proposed 20 minute rule is ridiculous. If players don’t want to get sent off they need to learn to play within the laws.

[@Outspoken.Humanist]

The purpose of the red card is not to punish, it is to be a threat to prevent rule breaking. Anything which mitigates the risk to a team will reduce the overall effectiveness of the card.

[@HenriqueCarneiroM]

Hey Nigel, we already saw several montages of your greatest moments, but what would it be your top 5 'Nigel Owens' moments by Nigel Owens?

[@nicholasmills620]

Whose the best club player you ever watched/ reffed and never got in a national team.

[@greatleapforwards]

Craig Joubert once reffed his (my) old school first team match near the end of his career and had an absolute mare. It seems you should not ref your old school!

[@paulmurphy5648]

I fell in love with Rugby when I watched the "man mountains" crashing into each other and carrying on. It was right after I had watched a soccer match where the little luvvies were screaming in pain and writhing on the floor just because the corner flag fluttered. After 50 years I abandoned football and now follow a "real mans'" game.

[@antoninchina]

I do believe most "dangerous" tackles are made without the intention of hurting the opponent and slo-motion makes it look much worse than it is ... Get a player on after 20 minutes.

[@sksaddrakk5183]

I am of the opinion that a red card must mean miss the remainder of the game... I was referee (different sport though) and I think the ultimate penalty in a game for foul play (especially when you endanger the health of the other player) must be to play one man (or woman for that matter) down for the rest... let's face it, the best way to get stupid behaviour out of the game is when the team of the penalized player will have a word with the player at fault (be it during or after the match in question) as they will bear the consequences of their team mate's decisions...

[@ninja1150]

Red card should remain as it is sent off for the remainder of the game with no replacement, allowing a replacement after 20mins dilutes the deterrent IMO. Maybe further penalties against the player if in the final minutes of a game, deterrent needed to maintain a safe but full contact sport, difficult for players when in the heat of the moment to adhere to all the laws but dangerous acts can be avoided? Fantastic you tube channel BTW.

[@philsharp8012]

Replacing a player sent off is Grade One dumb. Degrades the game for one thing.

[@monibrehm4403]

Juhuuuu! Another episode! :D

[@WorldRugby]

🥳

[@frankdupreez9195]

To reduce injuries there must be a rule: if a player gets injured caused by reckless intent and was red carded, then such red carded player (and or his team) would be responsible for their medical recovering...i bet such offenses will dry up really quickly 👏

[@JackAndTheBeanstalkr]

and pay the salary?

[@johnslocombe2777]

Ever heard the comment "Wales never loose". Sometimes other teams score more points, but Wales NEVER LOOSE! :-)

[@Leifr952]

*lose

[@95VJay]

How about 30 minutes? I feel like a red card is worse than 2 yellows, so therefore 30min. I agree with people saying that a red is the ultimate ban, but nowadays they are handing them out for unfortunate accidents.

[@jf8467]

Hey Nigel what would you consider your best referring moment.

[@MrSiciro]

Keep the player on the field but a red card automatically gives the other team 5 points

[@vonteflon]

That red card thing is an absolutely ridiculous idea. Why on earth should the offending team be rewarded with a fresh replacement? Any argument about “killing the game” lies solely at the door of the red card offender.

[@benbehenna5410]

Funny moment, Spikey Watkins taking the mick out of Clive Norling's new curly perm. Norling sent him off!

[@pacman4568]

A player deliberately fouling the laws and red carded should not be replaced. The player has let his team down. If another player is injured and can not play on as a result. That is unfair on the victim of the foul play and his team. No Red means off and stay off. The question should be in cases of injury to the victim should the rule brake face charges for assault.

[@ThistleThings]

‘That’s a suspiciously shiny tractor’

[@patrickmurphy9115]

Nigel you were right Wales won, even I an Irish man cheered for Wales, as usual, against England

[@DrMmmPie]

Answer No to red card. Question "Le Drop" Did you think when Ireland started that fantastic bit of rugby, would end up winning the game and going for so many phases without losing the ball/conceding a penalty?

[@jeffa818]

4:20 the correct answer is YES!!!! Red cards can ruin a competitive game. Let the player be sent off for 10 minutes, then a replacement player sent in for him. Afterwards you can fine him/suspend him... anything to deter the action but not spoil the game.

[@stevenmcalister826]

Then it’s not a red card. There should absolutely be a card that ejects somebody with no replacement.

[@hamishmunroe9906]

@@stevenmcalister826 why?

[@stevenmcalister826]

@@hamishmunroe9906 Because that’s how it’s always been and there’s no reason to change it.

[@hamishmunroe9906]

@@stevenmcalister826 there is a reason to change it. When a man gets sent off it ruins the game

[@stevenmcalister826]

@@hamishmunroe9906 I don’t care, 95% of the time they deserve it. And getting rid of permanent ejection just opens up the opportunity for intentional injury.

[@wkc2]

Nigel I think the red card is sent off no replacement...there has to be deterrent for foul play...

[@joebutcher7456]

A red card is a red card. It should be used as a statement to identify dangerous or repeated unsporting conduct and as such should carry weight that far outstrips any potential positive.

[@jeefyplays1807]

my opinion on the red card rule is that we should have three cards, the current international yellow the super rugby red card and the international card.

[@philipjones1644]

I think if a player is sent off for a second sin bin offence then after twenty he can be replaced but if it's a straight red off for the remainder of the game is an appropriate punishment.

[@Dwayniee]

we'll see what super rugby has to offer for this

[@chewy5563]

I would like to know what would happen if a player coming on as a blood sub or HIA, is sent off. what happend's to the player that has gone off and is now ready to come back on?

[@joshuastewart1962]

I don’t know Nigel, I think England could have it. But regardless of what happens it will be a cracking game either way.

[@howardgreen9718]

G’day from Australia with regards to the question can you play rugby with a chicken, when I was in the Army it was not uncommon at the end of a dining in night for a game of mess rugby to breakout with a frozen chicken for the pill

[@olivergreen5548]

On average, what distance do you think you cover when refereeing a game?

[@TEFferguson]

Terrible idea for the red card trial, if a player commits a red card offence they should be off for the rest of the game. If a player can be replaced it makes sense just to award a yellow and have the same player return after ten.

[@31vox]

Tractor's future is SO electric.

[@jca111]

A dangerous play should always be a red card which should always be a permanent off. Is there room for a, I dunno, a purple card - something like you described (20 min off and replacement)? Or is this making it too complex?

[@WorldRugby]

Where would you draw the line between purple and red? (Also, maybe it should be an orange card!)

[@Adam-jx8td]

@@WorldRugby did Super Rugby not use a white card a few years ago?

[@jca111]

@@Adam-jx8td I think white cards were for referral/citing after the match?

[@jca111]

@@WorldRugby Orange may be too similar to red? Not sure where the line would be.... But they have a scale for bans etc afterwards, so that may be a starting point?