The countdown to the Rugby World Cup 2007 in France is already under way in many parts of the rugby world. And it will become even more noticeable, even to non-rugby sports fans, as that kick-off time of 20.00 BST on September 7 gets nearer and nearer.

The gladiators in the Northern Hemisphere are about to embark on a series of so-called warm-up games where the national coaches of the competing teams will finely tune and then finalise their squads. The Southern Hemisphere combatants have done their deeds in Super 14 and Tri-Nations and now pray that their strained and battered bodies will have recovered in time for The Big One.

But there's another side to this major international sporting occasion that is being overlooked, or ignored, or not even thought about at this stage - the match officials. The guys in the middle who will no doubt upset somebody along the way, whether it be player, coach or supporter - or all three. It's always easy to take pot-shots at The Whistler, I know, I am one at Junior level. But the fact is that nobody ever goes out to have a poor game, player or official - yet it happens.

'The IRB are basically telling the official to referee what you see, not what you have been told - and that can only be good for the game as a whole'


So let's just spare a thought for the loneliest guy in the world when it comes to game time. It's great news that Paddy O'Brien of the IRB Referees Department has issued a directive that referees will not be permitted to meet with players and coaches before games. In the past, some have used the media both to wind up their opponents and, more importantly, to plant a seed of doubt in the referee's mind about an opponent, or opponents, and their tactics.

The IRB are basically telling the official to referee what you see, not what you have been told - and that can only be good for the game as a whole. 'Spreaders' (Tony Spreadbury) et al all enjoy a bit of banter during a game and it is essential that there is good communication with the players on the park and an empathy from the referee for what each side is trying to do. But that's where it ends - mutually respectful communication.

Whinging about decisions, providing a running commentary about what opponents are getting away with etc. etc. HAS to be jumped on from a great height. In light of O'Brien's recent comments I strongly suspect it will be.

I'll be casting my refereeing eye over the coming warm-up games and RWC 2007 itself and making comment from an official's point of view. All referees know that the fans don't see what we see. The feedback could be interesting and potentially very lively - depending upon the decisons made, and against whom.

So, as somebody once said, "let the mayhem begin" - and let's hope that no matter which side wins RWC 2007, the overall winner is the game itself.

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