I try not to write when frustrated, but after witnessing the most pathetically weak-willed decision in the recent Chiefs vs Cheetahs game, I think it is time someone pointed out that the referees are not getting it right with regards to foul play.

Officials are trained to go with their gut instincts when awarding penalty tries or dishing out red cards, and when I saw Eddie Fredericks' tackle on Chiefs' winger Lelia Masaga, my 10 years of experience as a referee told me it was a red card and penalty try. Clearly referee Paul Marks saw it differently, awarding a penalty and showing Fredericks a yellow card.

The tackle was as high as they come, initially making contact above Masaga's ear, then moving down to his neck. However, the height of the tackle was not the reason it should have been a red card; it was the intent as Fredericks went in with no thought other than to take Masaga's head off.

'Nonu's citing, and possible suspension, leads to some rather tortured logic'


Chiefs captain Mils Muliaina asked referee Marks about a penalty try as Masaga would have scored in the corner had he got past Fredericks. But Muliaina was rebuffed with no explanation. At the time, the Chiefs were down by a point with seven minutes to go, and to offer a captain no reason for such a crucial decision leaves many wondering what exactly Marks was thinking.

Referees seem extremely reluctant to issue red cards -  in the 25 games played so far in the 2008 Super 14, just one player has been sent off. The recipient was Bulls fullback Zane Kirchner, for a dreadful spear tackle, and few would argue it was undeserved.

In Friday night's game, two Hurricanes players were cited for foul play - Jerry Collins for punching David Hall on the ground and Ma'a Nonu for a high tackle on Clint Newlands. Collins escaped on-field punishment, but Nonu received a yellow card.

Nonu's citing, and possible suspension, leads to some rather tortured logic; how can a tackle be worth a suspension after the match but only a yellow card during the game? Perhaps the replays did Nonu few favours, but if both the referee and assistant referee felt it was only a sin-bin offence, why is he facing the judiciary?

Football has some hard and fast rules when it comes to foul play: Studs-up tackle, red card; two-footed tackle, red card; sliding tackle from behind, red card. Rugby, on the other hand, leaves each incident in the hands of the referee. 

The refs have shown that they are unable to deal with foul play in any consistent manner and perhaps now is the time to give them a set of guidelines, agreed upon by SANZAR, and stick to them rigidly. Perhaps then some of these incidents will no longer occur.