Rugby Referees Compilation - Wielding power with respect.

2nd edition here: • Rugby Referees Compila...
A compilation of some moments showing how much power the refs have, how much the players respect them and how they interact with the the teams, often with humour but always informing everyone exactly why they're doing what they're doing.

[@ChrisBrownNZ]

2:55 “…I don’t think we’ve met before, but I am the referee on this field, not you. Stick to your job, and I will do mine….” That's professionalism personified

[@jaryd12345]

4:27 "For your choice of words towards me, unfortunately we cannot accept you." Love that.

[@bobbyaldol]

What did the player actually say there to the ref?

[@leonflorence118]

Wobbly Bit I think he called him a cunt

[@mpdowson]

As I understand it from comments on other videos that include that clip, it was actually a racial slur (possibly in Afrikaans). I think the assistant ref says it was the 'P' word but I haven't looked to see what that could be as it's almost certainly not a word I want to know. Hope that helps.

[@vagabond142]

There are two major P words in Afrikaans that are swears. One, as Leon Florence stated, means cunt, and is Poes. The other P is Poepol, meaning asshole. Either way, it was disrespectful language and the ref handled it perfectly. Firm, respectful, direct, and brooking no argument, like all sport refereeing should be.

[@stevethea5250]

@@vagabond142 Pp

[@dieselcoch]

There won't be a player left on the field if a Rugby ref refed a football game

[@Krede11]

+Geraint Jones I would love to watch a rugby ref referee a football game haha

[@michaellejeune7715]

Geraint Jones Sadly that'll never happen. Mainly because the game is forfeited when a team gets five reds.

[@Geraint3000]

One football ref who never put up with any crap was Collina - the bald headed guy. All the players knew they had to behave when he was on the pitch. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pierluigi_Collina

[@WELLBRAN]

Imagine.."deliberately falling in Penalty box" red card for you

[@PropBoyGinge]

@@Krede11 I only did it once, for my son's team as the scheduled ref didn't show and I'd come straight from refereeing an U16 rugby match to watch him. The first thing I said to both coaches was to tell their players I wouldn't stand for any back chat or dissent, It would bring an immediate warning and the next incident, a yellow card. 10 minutes into the 1st half a visiting player upended one of the home players. Not a yellow card offence but a free kick. He swung round and said "You're f*****g taking the p**s. Out came the yellow and the coach came straight on spitting his dummy out about the yellow. He got a yellow card as well. Half time, he came straight over and started moaning. I stopped him and asked what I'd told him pre-match. "I didn't think you meant it" was his response. "Well now you know that I do. Tell your players again." I still issued 4 more cards in the 2nd half.

[@sahiblindberg]

I knew that rugby is gentlemen's sport but I never knew that refs are this respected. Great! Greetings from Finland

[@NoelFlowersDS]

he said a sport played by gentleman, not pretty boys. let me guess, you're a soccer fan?

[@NoelFlowersDS]

can respect your opinion amado. yes, it is a brutal sport, which includes some fighting, but not much anymore. search for football fights and cheapshots, and you'll see that this exists in both codes, there are idiots everywhere, but you must have respect for the game, the ref, and your oponents to play rugby at a professional level. something that does not seem to exist in many other professional sports. you should play rugby, it is a breath of fresh air in a world that's gone a little too crazy. all the best mate... if you're ever in Cebu, Philippines, come and join the Dragons for a game or two, or two hundred :)

[@geoffpoole483]

Hi Noel, yes rugby is a physical game and I think the professionalism of the game may have contributed to more injuries. Look at the size of professional players compared with the 1980s when the game was still amateur. Imagine being hit by 120kg of muscle; that'll hurt! Anyway, glad to learn the game is being played in your country.

[@chinesespeakwelsh]

and the respect is reciprocal. players obey whatever decision a referee makes to them

[@jameswharton3846]

sahiblindberg i like and play rugby (i love it) but the decisions or refs aren't always respected eg dylan hartly and tuilagi

[@hugoraphaeli]

"...This is not soccer." Well said Nigel and let's hope Rugby never ever becomes like it.

[@ryanb1950]

No it won't because football is entertaining and rugby is atrocious.

[@randomstuff508]

+David Ward Ok, to say that is not good. Yes, there are people who dive and act as if they get shot in the face, but just because some do, doesn't mean all will as well. Take this from a Goalie who had to play an entire game with blood soaking into my soccer after I got a large gash in my knee, and I mean large.

[@randomstuff508]

+David Ward I will agree that alot of soccer players are spoiled brats who argue with the ref which us totally unacceptable.

[@robw7676]

They should send an elite rugby ref to assist the ref in a premiership football game. There'd be 5 cards in 5 minutes and they'd soon learn some manners and to stop play acting

[@aid901]

@@davidward591 Define full of fairies? thats like saying Rugby is full of eye gougers.

[@johnhelms8226]

The laws of rugby can be complicated and difficult to apply to given situations. That is why it is important for referees to explain their decisions to the players. The best referees do not allow dissent, but they want the players to understand, learn, and improve their play. Their explanations have a teaching component, even at the highest levels.

[@assassin8or]

Rugby: Massive men who could crush a referee if they wanted to, with absolute respect and patience for refs. Football: Little children who throw tantrums and swear right in a refs face

[@fossy4321]

Well said!

[@MrMosoman456]

assassin8or alright pal, you're tough.

[@Leifr952]

Rugby: a minority sport with an inferiority complex, watched by a pompous and sanctimonious fan base more interested in hating other sports than enjoying their own.

[@TJ-kj9ki]

Leifr952, not other sports. Just soccer. No other sport has a more toxic following and player base other than ufc.

[@Leifr952]

@@TJ-kj9ki But why just with soccer (football)? Is it jealousy that the world loves football and is largely indifferent towards rugby?

[@Mzansi74]

In Football, a 5'10" guy controls guys of around 5'11". In Rugby , a 5'8" guy controls guys up to 6'10". A stern approach is required!

[@randomstuff508]

*Association Football Same in American Football. A Running back that's about 5' 11" goes up against a defender 6' 9" I guess the only time a soccer player goes up against someone taller is a 1 v 1 with the keeper

[@educontrerascarmona8664]

And the headers. Defenders tend to be tall aswell.

[@pauloliver1842]

thankyou for that joe, you've cheered me up, no end

[@MKRM27]

Joe Soap Only an idiot or a child links respect to height

[@GINGERredMAN97]

So true

[@CalumJMorrison]

I'm not the biggest rugby fan, I prefer football myself, but I do have the greatest respect for rugby referees and how they control the game and command respect. I just wish we had this etiquette in football.

[@non-masturbatingtyrannosau3476]

It's because rugby players respect referees

[@colinohall]

It's not only that, there's also the fact that referees aren't hung out to dry when they stamp their authority on the game. Unfortunately in football, whenever a referee tries to do the same, the football media accuse them of making it all about them. And refereeing authorities don't give them the required backing either.

[@dukewilliam1st]

cheating is part of the football culture : fake falls and pain complains into the surface to get a penalty or cards, putting arms up to weigh on decision, going after the referee after every decision made, it begins why the behaviour of coach... if you put a rugby referee in a champions league game today, the match would end early because teams would be reduced to 7 before half time... to get back sanity in football would required that video take care of this and penalize players and team accordingly even after the end of the game. Maybe the sin bin rule for yellow card would be a start as well.

[@Cafferssss]

Tv ref and respect for the boyo on the pitch required for football before I watch it again. Stopped watching in 1998.

[@darthkage2163]

I'm more of a rugby fan but from what I've seen watching traditional football matches comparing the refs rugby refs demand respect take no nonsense and make it clear that they are the law on the field not the players something football refs don't do honest if I was a soccer ref and one of those footballers tried screaming in my face like I've seen I'd probably punch him square in the mouth

[@non-masturbatingtyrannosau3476]

nigel owens is a legend

[@slayr399]

2:50 The way he segues into "I don't think we've met before but I'm the referee on this field" is brilliant. Not just a legend but an absolute boss.

[@takingafence2332]

He is the best referee, love watching any game he refs, just tells it how it is and lets the game flow which is awesome!

[@helpmaboabb]

Nigel was on the BBC's "Desert Island Discs" radio programme this month, and it was a revelation. He's been through some very dark times.

[@diogeneslantern18]

Yeah he is a great guy and I think respected immensely around the rugby world as a ref. I am also a fan of Craig Joubert

[@KwizatsHaderach8]

French referees above average?!? Maybe on a island full of blind people! (Or Irish referees). And not all Welsh - remember one Derek Bevan? I do agree on Nigel Owens though - been without peer for many years. I, too, enjoyed Chris White of England - he was massively underrated and under-utilised for key match-ups. Hot on Owens' heels presently is Glen Jackson of New Zealand.

[@terminusest9179]

8:10 "It's got to be a clean catch, not a bobble" Love how he reminded him of how it's played out.

[@phillipfry9765]

“For your choice of words towards me unfortunately we cannot accept you.”

[@jeromeierome4523]

You just need to look at 5:46. Ref sends off player. Player doesn’t question it and shakes his opponents hand. Respect!!

[@brandonl4914]

Didn't send him off but yes, quite respectful. Good to him

[@gilbertboot572]

@@brandonl4914 yellow card is a sending off.

[@peterroberts1132]

@@gilbertboot572 not quite. It means the player is off for 10 minutes but can return. A red card is a sending off in the manner we would view it I.e. the player doesn't return

[@gilbertboot572]

@@peterroberts1132 sure I guess that's true. But he literally is sent off, I'm not really why I commented on this I don't watch enough rugby to know the sort of phrases used in these situations.

[@evealicelucienne]

"Stick to your job and I'll do mine. (...) This is NOT soccer. Is that clear?"

[@CronoXpono]

eal ls wonderful show of authority without being condescending. I hate players rushing the referee in football. Love football but I’d rather start seeing red cards for that idiocy than not. Respect the rule enforcer. That’s it.

[@epicwalrus7183]

I'd love to see soccer players deal with a rugby ref. Half the team would be off by half time, maybe it'd teach them some manners.

[@Mark-xm1yd]

Yeah it's definitely not soccer. You can't rob a team in soccer as easily as you can in rugby.

[@anarchycastro]

@@Mark-xm1yd Yes you could. Just touch them with a feather and they'll be rolling on the ground clutching their ankles. Rob away.

[@Mark-xm1yd]

@@anarchycastro yes very funny. there are less grey areas in the rules of soccer is what i was implying.

[@harryfranks4113]

It absolutely disgusts me how different this is to football. Here, you have respect and patience from the players and the ref all the time. In football, you have players like John Terry (to name just one) sprinting half the pitch to scream in the ref's face when a decision has already made. Not only will this never reverse a decision, it is rude, arrogant, disrespectful and pathetic. The slightest bit of complaining should merit a yellow card and managers should be banned from saying a ref got a decision wrong. It's so ironic that these huge, intimidating rugby players are so respectful when a bunch of overpaid and egotistical footballers who are half the size think it's within their right to abuse a referee.

[@colinmurphy3549]

so true

[@IOADESTOYER]

+Harry Franks you took the words out of my mouth, everyone talking about the referees and how polite they are, but look at players (even though they like tanks) how gentlemanly and classy they are..... they shaking hands after incidents..... Im a football (soccer) fan but lets be honest hard not admire rugby players after seeing them here. +1 to you

[@harryfranks4113]

IOADESTOYER thanks mate!

[@trollmafia671]

Couldn't have said it better myself mate

[@lopaaione]

+Harry Franks Amen bro.

[@MuffinsCrib]

I love how even the giants who could easily brake the referee in half respect what he has to say and don't act up. Greetings from Estonia!

[@GustavoTomilhero]

Beware of Putin

[@Zinkx.]

This is a CLEAR example why in rugby we had LAWS and not rules. Laws; MUST be obeyed and there are clear consequences for breaking the LAW. Great game, Great respect!! Good to see.

[@FootballFan-hv8uu]

Yes Kyon, lots of sports have LAWS: Football, Cricket, Rugby League, Rugby Union etc etc

[@fazertace6837]

@@FootballFan-hv8uu EVERY single sport you’ve mentioned have RULES not laws. Rugby union has LAWS not rules.

[@craigshrimpton5765]

Respect at 5:46 where the offending player shakes hands. Knows he's done wrong and accepts it.

[@soddof7972]

I think the biggest thing that comes from these isn't necessarily a "football vs rugby" argument but how much easier it is to accept decisions when the referee clearly states why they have been made calmly to the player.

[@1chish]

+soddof And it helps the Ref is talking to players all the time so they avoid fouls and the game keeps going. Watch a Union Ref in a ruck he will signal to a defending player when he is going off side. never see that in football (soccer). Plus if any of the Big Girls Blouses that play football got a clout like any of these guys get they would be in tears ...

[@XxStuart96xX]

@@1chish Bit harder for the ref to talk like that in football because of the difference between the two sports. You can't really 'pre-empt' fouls in football like you can at rucks/mauls/scrums in rugby.

[@bemusedalligator]

@@XxStuart96xX I'm a football referee myself and we do talk to the players, especially during foul prone plays, telling them when they're starting to toe the line on their tackles, etc. We just do it more quietly and during play. Next time you're at a soccer match park yourself behind one of the ARs and listen to what they're sayign when there's a hard play in their corner, cause i guarantee you they'll be talking to the players.

[@manydman]

This happens in football except you can't hear that because the childish guys like neymar jr. or pepe or whatever weak fucks we got in our sports run up to the ref in a group and start intimidating them. Clubs don't care about attitude anymore, as long as you can occasionally play well.

[@sksaddrakk5183]

I get your point, I would hold though that a lot of times before the referee can explain his decision, a huddle of 10+ players is formed and everyone of them is talking in a raised voice and giving his opinion... in Rugby as you have seen, the captain goes to the referee IF HE IS ASKED TO DO SO, listens to the referee and occasionally asks for clarification or in rare instances respectfully makes the referee aware of an error the ref made.... the ref asks for the players he wants to speak with and normally only those will get close to the ref... the sad thing is, football and rugby have afaik similar rules who may talk to the ref in what manner.... in rugby this rule is generally obeyed by the players, while in football it is widely ignored... I really wish football referees would start to hand out yellow cards every time a non-captain is going to discuss his decisions...

[@michaelwallace8861]

Mr Owens! Absolute Legend! I don't believe we've met. I'm the referee. Classic telling off.

[@elxpatto1738]

its really is good to see this sometimes, where I played in Australia all the players would call the referee 'Sir", like it or not but its a good way to respect them for the game.

[@freddieclark]

This is why I hate watching foul mouthed soccer players who earn millions.

[@bvbinsane1vanity]

+Freddie Clark Football*

[@ryanb1950]

Rugby is shit

[@wiremu1349]

+Chickenrhyme Bessell somebody's salty

[@justclosing]

football egomaniacs and a lot of their idiot fans could learn from this

[@ralphclink379]

Freddie Clark It does frustrate me with how poorly footballers interact with referees. I wish the EPL would instruct referees to act like rugby referees. ie pulling the captains over and telling them to get their teams sorted.

[@arrianwenazpeena7925]

@ 3:04 THIS IS NOT SOCCER. And a nice one-way chat there.

[@neilgriffiths6427]

My first ever rugby game (I was 11) I swore on the pitch, as I was used to in soccer - and my CAPTAIN told me to shut up, "this is rugby, not football" - lesson learned.

[@mattcullen6109]

Neil Griffiths you must have been a good kid to take it on board that easily. Most kids are given a little bit of positive attention. I think kids should be encouraged to play sport where respect and manners a taught as a priority.

[@Karen-zc8pi]

Neil Griffiths Used to in soccer?? Idk where u learned these values. Guess ur first training was ‘swearing at every touch’. Guess the second was ‘diving at every touch’. Or u just making it up 🤔. I have never seen any 11 year old see swear on the pitch. Says more about you than the sport.

[@Leifr952]

@@neilgriffiths6427 groan

[@soupafi]

4:31 the most polite ejection I’ve seen.

[@rjakobi]

This is extremely refreshing. Poring over video after video of American Football and Baseball and Hockey and Regular Football, and it seems Rugby refs seem the most human and most good natured of the bunch, never arrogant, always making sure to be clear and communicative, and NEVER power tripping. We need more officials like this in other sports.

[@glenbe4026]

The thing is, Refs have the power to punish players for talking back or insulting the ref in Rugby. They have multiple ways to handle backchat, from a) marching the team of an offending player 10 metres back (and this can keep going if the player keeps backchatting, seen a team marched back 3 times for backchat before because a player would not shut up, so his team lost 30 metres). to b) a yellow card where the offending player is sent of the field for 10 minutes (and his team can't replace him so they play a man down for that 10 minutes), to c) red card, where a player is sent off the field for good (and his team can not replace him, so his team plays the rest of the game a man down. This is what happened when the guy received a red card towards the end of the video, he called the ref a cheat so was sent of the rest of the game and his team played the game a man down. So a side effect of refs having so much power is that team-mates generally police their own. Often only the captain is allowed to speak to the ref.

[@nicjfrancis]

I love that "you know what you done". What a boss haha

[@tuscanytrek]

Probably the most respected officials, they are so calm - and to the credit of the players, they have good discipline to abide with his direction. Team all the way, no individual selfishness.

[@paulmccloud9395]

Rugby - Adults on the field Football - Children on the field Of course you do get the occasional Rugby player who acts like a child. And there are many football players who do show respect, and do act like adults. Unfortunately the vast majority of football players are disrespectful and immature. Not that they care.

[@duncanmoss8520]

+Lucas de Brouwer I think that in terms of football players diving it should be a warning, 1 match ban (MB), 3 MB, 5 MB and for every time they dive the number of games they're suspended for increases. I think they should start off with smaller punishments rather than large to begin with

[@WELLBRAN]

And cheating in their DNA ..

[@Leifr952]

This is a rugby video so why bring up football? Also, do you honestly believe that the majority of footballers are disrespectful and immature? Really?! Sorry to disappoint you but football isn't as evil as you and many other rugby fans wish it was.

[@Leifr952]

@@eldeeb6433 Agree with you about the diving ban, but do you honestly believe that every single footballer dives? The vast majority of the game abhors such cheating and players who do are justly ridiculed by fans and players alike. Sweeping statements like yours only exacerbate rugby's haughty reputation.

[@silencedknight]

The rugby players that are disrespectful don’t seem to have things go their way

[@IHScoutII]

The one thing that blew me away when first exposed to rugby, back in the 90s, was the respect and comraderie.

[@mosseblack8635]

The Hartley Red Card was Epic.... and in a premier final just made it Legendary

[@mra6308]

he finally got what he deserved the twat

[@grantbullimore]

Loool Farrel asking the ref if the player had arms involved. A rather rich statement coming from him...

[@judeau9151]

I’m from America and haven’t really had any exposure to rugby. I played hockey growing up and this sport seems to share a similar “code” of respect - despite how violent the game is. I like it!

[@DonovanErica]

Dylan Hartley, New Zealands 'gift' to English rugby that keeps on giving. He is all yours.

[@Kittyapoc]

this is the first time I've seen a referee compilation and was actually impressed with both the refs and the players

[@kennethbutler9164]

I absolutely love that flopping and disrespecting the refs are not allowed in this beautiful game.

[@zerootie]

The bloke being sent off at the end there for calling the referee a 'f***ing cheat' is now the captain of England. Great role model for youngsters coming into the game.

[@tewaewae]

Andrew take the L and the E off your name.

[@Rebumai]

Fucking love Nigel Owens' refereeing

[@Myrkky100]

Just watched an ice hockey compilation and had to come to see this example of proper refereeing and respectful behaviour to calm down.

[@DamianRangi]

5:40 Football/soccer is a gentleman's game played by hooligans. Rugby is a hooligan's game played by gentlemen.

[@sokkhamonghay5252]

Damian Rangi i

[@Prince-gu8or]

Damian Rangi no

[@neilgriffiths6427]

Damian Rangi - in Wales it's a working-class game - gentlemen? No. Authority of the ref unquestioned? Yes.

[@Mark-xm1yd]

No, modern rugby is a sissy's game played by sissies.

[@neilgriffiths6427]

Mark2 - find your nearest rugby club, go in and tell them that - especially after a few pints. I'm sure they will accommodate you.

[@crithappenstfa7749]

8:17 the way the ref treats that situation is exceptional😂👌 "be careful Joe"😂

[@Methoswicca]

I love the french referee at around 7:15 that just jumps in the middle of the fight to clear everyone and does so in less than 10 secs

[@bevanchu5491]

4:12 I thought it was George Gregan at first haha

[@lucabadin]

+Bevan Chu Me too, but then I realised he couldn't have had the same shirt as the referee hahahah

[@federicotezuka]

+Bevan Chu me 2

[@chinesespeakwelsh]

hahaha when the refs wear the wallabies' jersey

[@NeoAAM74]

at least it was not just me I was confused why George was giving a card to another player

[@richardjamesclemo6235]

Lmao same

[@motion.resolved]

I played Rugby at school for a bit, but in later life I'm certainly no player anymore, or expert or particular fan for that matter, but Nigel Owens is an absolute legend...

[@TrueBrit1]

I spent my life watching football, almost every game that was on TV, in fact I looked forward to matches as a highlight of my day. Then I eventually just got utterly sick and tired of the behaviour of players - the screaming, pushing others and refs around, play-acting, diving, trying to get others sent off etc., etc., etc..................... That was about 15 years ago. I cancelled my Sky TV package because it was costing a fortune and I never watched football any more. Such is my utter disgust for anything to do with football. If football results come on the news, I have to walk out of the room or change channel! I usually go to Tesco to do my shopping when England play in a tournament - the place is deserted and it's bliss! But strangely, I switched to Rugby all those years ago and love it, a large reason being the way the game is run and respected by all. Well bloody done!

[@michaelaldan4354]

welcome to rugby brother....i had exactly the same thing....!!!

[@CaptainAmazing01]

Similar experience to me but with Australian Rules Football. The game is filled with floppers, complainers and sooks nowadays. I feel like Rugby is how sports should be. I'm enjoying the six nations right now!

[@Leifr952]

Somehow I think football has coped with your decision.

[@joslomani5831]

Its just that these rugby men are huge and muscular and the refs are small and most short, yet these players learn to adress refs as sir. Rugby is truly a gentlemans game. #RugbyFamily

[@casualguy393]

American football players could learn a thing or two about respect from Rugby players.

[@talister106]

For a sport so physical played by strong and big men, order is maintained by these ref`s who shall be obeyed. Well done.

[@phillipreagan4599]

I love this, I wish more of the major sports in america were refed like this. (NFL, NBA, MLB, etc...)

[@plumberman4u]

I used to coach and referee rugby and my favorite saying is Football is a GENTLEMANS game for HOOLIGANS. AND Rugby is a HOOLIGANS game for GENTLEMEN. This video proves just that.

[@rassrevenger5060]

Pretty much the saying is football is a gentlemans game played by hooligans and so on..

[@Mzansi74]

For sure!

[@FootballFan-hv8uu]

I say old boy, I can stomp on a player's head, I can eye-gouge an opponent, I can bite their ear, I can spear tackle, in fact I can cheat my way through any rugby union game, but don't worry old boy, I am a middle class gentlemen and I do it in the spirit of fair play. But by golly should those working class hooligans do it in football, there will be hell to play. They do not have our upbringing, so they are not doing it in the right spirit, they even disagree with the referee, eh what!

[@plumberman4u]

+Football Fan1894 no you can't. no you can't, no you can't. if you do, you'll be carded, sent off etc. point is rugby players accept their punishment, unlike footballers who whinge and sulk while they throw their toys out their pram. footballers should grow up and grow some balls.

[@FootballFan-hv8uu]

I say old boy, that's good thinking, if they grow some balls, it will give me something else to stomp on, eh what!! For somebody that is into rugby, you do not seem to know much about all the cheating and dirty tricks that goes on in the game. Too many to list here, but here is a couple of examples: John Ashworth stomps on the head of JPR Williams in 1978, but it's ok, Ashworth did give Williams a bottle of wine thirty years on! In 2005 Tana Umaga and Keven Mealamu spear tackled Brian O'Driscoll, the two players got away scot free, the All Backs were not even penalised! To me and many others this is cowardly play to the highest degree and it happens all too often in rugby union. You call them gentlemen, I call them cowards, cheats, morons etc. Footballers are not perfect, but neither are rugby players, far from it. I say old boy, cheats, eh what? We don't answer the referee back!

[@simonpotter7534]

excellent stuff, good to see referees being aloud to do their jobs not like soccer where they abused by the players and told by the FA how many cards they can issue per game.

[@RangersFan94]

Hockey refs used to be great like this :( Derek Sanderson recently told a story about a bench brawl in Boston on (I believe the game he's talking about, the plot matches at least) November 8th, 1970 against Montreal, it lasted for several minutes and started spilling into the stands so they sent both teams to their dressing rooms and added the remaining 4 minutes of the period to the end of the game, and when they dealt out the penalty minutes at the beginning of the third there was only 32 - 3 sets of matching 5 minute majors for the 3 pairs of fighters, and the only man power advantage was for the 2 minute tripping minor that started it all. They only started throwing ejections when it began to impact the flow of the game or was obviously dirty or uncalled for...

[@andrewtaylor-doyle1311]

This is why I'm starting to love rugby more and more. I used to love football but it's now got to the point where it is appauling.

[@thewyj]

Rugby refs seem much more confident because they have to be, but also they have power to back-up their decisions. In so many of these shots you can see the players are absolutely raging, but they know to keep it all on the inside. They can punch a locker when it's all over.

[@BX0207]

They're like ring masters...controlling strong beasts with respect, knowing very well they can rip them apart.. lol.. I love this sport. So much power-professional..

[@o.binwheelie9733]

1:14 I need to know what Alun Wyn Jones did to get that telling off from Nige 😂

[@PHX787]

5:31 nothing but "you know what you've done" and he goes off to the bin that's amazing

[@Zopf-international]

When we played in high school. The ref was one of our teachers, whom we didn't like. But as a ref he was great. Still can't explain it. It was like a father figure. Not a problem. Much love Refs everywhere.

[@ScrapperTBP]

"Talk to your new captain" fucking savage

[@EenNoorderling]

It's like being called to the principal's office with that finger. XD

[@michaeljamesarlow2254]

I don't know if we have met before, but I am the referee on this field. CLASSIC!

[@Ingens_Scherz]

This video reminds me of an incident years and years ago when I was a young school teacher fresh out of university reffing a colts match. I automatically sent a boy from my own school off for scything an oppo player's legs away from him, soccer style - with his boots - when the lad broke down the wing. It was ugly and silly but not, you might think, a major incident. Wrong! The ripples it sent throughout the school was a real shock to me, I can tell you. The boy was nearly in tears when I told him to leave because he knew what he was in for. I remember the look on his face and being genuinely surprised because I didn't know about the extent of the repercussions. Getting sent off in a school match meant a trip to the headmaster's office and suspension for a week for bringing the school into disrepute. The head called me in for a quiet word too and I thought I was in for an old-fashioned "what the hell were you thinking" sort or thing. But he told me I had done exactly the right thing, that the boy's parents were fully behind my decision and that the boy will have learnt a valuable life lesson: that you don't cheat and that what happens on the pitch does not stay on the pitch. It tells the world what kind of a person you are. I learnt a valuable life lesson that day myself: that rugby is not just a great sport - which is what I had always felt about anyway it as a fairly mediocre player. It is also a culture with the best kind of values underpinning it, summed up perfectly by this excellent video and its terrific theme. I thank-you for it and for reminding me of another life, long ago! I only wish football of the Association variety would learn that lesson too.

[@neilgriffiths6427]

ludocrat - thanks, excellent comment!

[@WELLBRAN]

Watched a game once a county game surrey were playing Andy Ripley was captain of surrey. Surrey had a penalty kick the touch judges gave it but the ball shaved the outside of a post. Andy Ripley ran half the length of the pitch to tell the ref that the kick had missed...that was real fair play. The most sporting thing I ever saw

[@johnkipling3202]

ludocrat a

[@Leifr952]

No need for the haughty and needless comparison with football at the end of your otherwise interesting story. You'd already outlined why Rugby is a great sport, so why bring football into it? It's as if rugby can't fully appreciate itself without criticising football as well. No other sport does this.

[@oldsaltshippers]

I wish we had this in football.

[@Leifr952]

Don't lower yourself to rugby's pompous standards.

[@Leifr952]

@@yourdad1057 A death threat, eh? Not exactly the kind of gentlemanly conduct preached by rugby, is it? Go sit in the sin bin for 10 minutes like a good lad.

[@yourdad1057]

@@Leifr952 pro if i get too close 2 u you would probably fall down and have a seizure like all other soccer players...

[@Leifr952]

@@yourdad1057 Look at you getting all excited and threatening strangers over the Internet. Bless! Anyway, who said anything about soccer (football)?

[@yourdad1057]

@@Leifr952 bro your ass been replying 2 comments tlkin about soccer ..and dont act like i aint telling the truth

[@YoureAPillock]

The amount of respect shown is seriously awesome. I wish American sports had this same amount of respect.

[@neiloflongbeck5705]

Respect is the primary law of rugby.

[@janetwilson6069]

Toughest sport in the world to referee. That's why these guys are tops. And that is why we can all enjoy a good flowing game.

[@LordBathtub]

I'm a football guy through and through and this stuff puts the nonsense in football to absolute fuckin shame. What an absolute bunch of gentlemen they understand who's in charge and show the ref the respect they deserve

[@sakibomb01]

i love nigel owens! he's so commanding its hard to ignore him!

[@nzgersfan]

Nigel Owens not only has the respect of the players but also the fans absolute marvellous referee

[@o.binwheelie9733]

Farrell should have had the penalty reversed against him for that, if another player showed that attitude he wouldn’t have gotten away with it.

[@incoocat150]

2:50 love that Specsavers ad on the back of the refs shirt xD

[@barsondor]

One thing I hate about NRL is the fact that the players think they have so much power over the refs. Any decision the ref makes ends up being thrown back at them, that's why there's 4 (5 including video). I feel if the ref MAKES A DECISION on a play, good or bad, then the players should follow that decision. Let the board review it to them after the game, and if it is a major incident then stand them down for a couple weeks, but now they second guess themselves way too much and slowing the game down even more. Also the players need to pull there head in and just accept what the ref says. If they don't like the decision then tough, if the ref missed something, mention it in the next break of play for review. Don't tell them how to do their job every break down.

[@45BATISTA]

if only we could put rugby union refs who get respected with NRK refs..

[@paulhartmann3239]

thats bullshit

[@ashashroff6351]

Rugby league is mutilated version of rowdy soccer. Rugby Union is a Gentleman's game.

[@beauknows1677]

Owen farrel. The king of late tackles. Awarded a penalty for being hit late. Meta

[@jippy33]

These ref's are the James Bond's of the sporting world. "For your choice of words towards me"...now that is kicking ass with a tux and cigar.

[@alexslater5358]

2:49, the best line of any professional sports event, ever. Nigel, your reputation is well deserved.

[@stespin]

We definitely need some of this in Football. Desperately.

[@texeltexel2009]

Oh man, I LOVE THIS! THIS is a MANLY SPORT! RAW, STRONG AND STILL WITH ALL THE RESPECT AT EVERY MOMENT :)

[@eldeeb6433]

Rugby used to have huge problems with its players' and fans' conduct. Football still does. Over the last or so 20 years the Rugby Associations have been doing exactly what the Football Associations should also have been doing to improve the sport. From a football fan.

[@WELLBRAN]

Rugby never has had any problems even when it was amateur.

[@deadsparrow28]

Agree with WELLBRAN. I have played, coached, refereed and watched rugby union for 50 years. There was never a time when players behaved at all like soccer players on the field, to each other or to the referee.

[@annabellemillen9998]

I'm a football fan and I appreciate the respect that goes on in rugby but if the fans are all about 'respect' as well then they need to stop going off on football in the comments.

[@Leifr952]

100% agree. Ruggers are utterly incapable of praising their sport without comparing it with football.

[@walover165]

Oh god I wish we had some of those English rugby refs in the NRL...wonder how much carry-on the likes of Thurston, Gallen, Graham, Smith et al would get away with then! Imagine when one of those big-name captains got sent off for the first time! It would be marvellous!

[@Nabend1402]

Oh god, I can't put into words how much I wish it was like that in football. It would be so easy to implement and it would improve the game sooo much!

[@Anichels]

Referees get respect because they command respect. I find that it's a matter of personality. Even in football, there were some referees that would not take any crap, but many are sorta pushovers.

[@Alucard-gt1zf]

8:17 I love how he knows the first names of everyone

[@karolszymanski5441]

2:54 I don't think we met before, but I'm the referee AMAZING!

[@Wlfi]

I did not know why they were calling it Gentelmen's game before this video.The amount of respect to the ref makes it worth watching.

[@stevenbennett9756]

Nigel Owens is the best ref our beloved sport has seen, he takes no sh@t and the players respect him, love watching him work, love his comments too

[@Kenco657]

its because every rugby player was taught from the very 1st day of rugby training that you must always respect the referee.

[@242jams]

nigel owens is brilliant

[@898voltaire]

Absolutely fantastic respect! Lovely!

[@bojanv9028]

I don't know much about this game but those two in green jerseys coming and look at me like that?? Fcks sake. And after a yellow card he just sits on the bench? That is respect

[@CrazyAboutVinylRecords]

Occasionally the players forget who is in charge...but only for a moment.

[@leonbrooks2107]

I remember from my days playing rugby that I would get an absolute rollocking for talking to the ref. I wasn’t the captain so it wasn’t my job. As a scrum half the ref spoke to me a lot but unless he was asking me a question I would talk to my captain and he would raise any issues with the ref.

[@Raggy60]

The referees are awesome. They take no prisoners.

[@fireman9191]

Nigel Owens is the best referee in any sport ever!!!! I would have loved him to ref any sport I ever played, he is fair but firm. Love It

[@johnemsley2893]

I’ve never played rugby and only watched a couple of games on TV but I have to say that I love the respect the players show to the ref and the spirit the game is played in.

[@edwardlack2578]

6:44 he'd already committed to the tackle before the ball was offloaded. Technically a late tackle (just), but play probably would have just carried on if the other guy had taken it and not retaliated.

[@freya0225]

Edward Lack It’s because Farrell had just come back from a serious knee injury and Wood had deliberately targeted his knee. Apparently the whole team had been doing that the whole match as well but they were England team mates at the time so I think all was good in the end

[@simonmillard8931]

Just imagine of football referees were miked up. It would break the *bleep* machine! Total respect to these rugby refs.

[@Leifr952]

This is a rugby video so why bring up football?

[@Hiffinhoffin]

Good on those officials and even better on the players for showing such class and taking their medicine like men.

[@ethanlee6860]

Whats the go with the two random rugby league clips at 8:30 and 4:54. just wondering. p.s go the knights.

[@jimmaloney1121]

So the first clip where the ref says "never say that to me again," does anyone know what the player said to him?

[@Jbay2608]

I think the player, Bongi Mbonambi said "fuck it" or something, and the ref heard. That's why Mbonambi tried to play it off as if he was swearing to himself for making a mistake because he saw a potential red card for verbal abuse coming. I can't remember exactly because I watched that game a long time ago, but it was something to that effect.

[@mrjules2008]

I remember playing rugby as a boy and the ref making me shake hands after a fight. rugby installs great behaviour on or off the field.

[@Leifr952]

The same happens in many other sports. Rugby doesn't have the monopoly on respect.

[@saffasaffa5084]

I attended an sanfl game this weekend and was shocked at the abuse from spectators towards the refs and the other team. The racism was shocking and abuse so uncalled for.

[@allanmacbadger5692]

I like that ref @ 9.30 the player in white was lucky the ref was so accommodating. Hartley and Ashton deserve cards every time they play.