International referees have named the worst players to referee, Sexton features multiple times
03/05/2024 12:24
International rugby union referees have a pretty tough gig.
It's their job to officiate 30 players who are desperate to win in front of tens of thousands of supporters who complain and abuse you for every decision you make.
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Yes, they're probably well rewarded financially but is there another job in the world where you get as much abuse and scrutiny by so many people? Probably not.
If an entire stadium calling you a w**ker for 90 minutes isn't enough to make you cry then what about players screaming in your face?
In fairness, dissent in international rugby isn't as big of a problem compared to something like football. But who are the worst rugby players to manage in rugby history?
Well, we've discovered quotes from six of the world’s finest officials down the years who told stories about trying to control some of football's bad boys.
Interestingly, one name cropped up on three occasions…
Matthew Carley – Steve Borthwick
On Borthwick: “A difficult question. When I first started refereeing in the Premiership Steve Borthwick was one of the guys who was pretty intimidating.
“He saw that everything was on 'his terms, whether you like it or not'. He had such presence. I think you learn how to deal with people like that as a ref, but Steve Borthwick, was as tough as they come.”
Wayne Barnes–Joe Marler, Matt Dawson, Martin Johnson, Andy Goode, Richie McCaw
On Marler: "He was always a funny one on the field in nice way. You'd be trying to tell him something serious and he'd just want to have a laugh and a joke. But he does bring a smile to your face. That is what is unique about our sport, the interaction between players and refs and refs and coaches. It does show our sport off in a good light."
On Dawson: “Scrum-halves are always the worst, especially Matt.”
On Johnson: "I was always petrified of Martin Johnson because he was coming to the end of his career when I started in the Premiership.”
On Goode: “He always made me smile as he made me look athletic when we were on the same pitch. However, the humorous players always keep you on your toes and if they get opportunity to pick you up on a slight faux pas, they will. I once mentioned to Andy Goode that him and his team mates were all appealing for far too many decisions and told him that it sounded like there were 15 referees on the pitch. "And you're not even in the top 10" was his reply.”
On McCaw: “I've been on the field with some of the great captains, John Smit, Sam Warburton and Richie McCaw. Richie always had the knack of asking the right question at the right time, sometimes it felt like I was losing a little bit of control. Contrary to popular belief, he didn't talk a lot on the field. He knew the law book inside out and so when he asked a question, he often had a point.”
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