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Thu 20 Aug 2015 | 02:08
Rayno Benjamin's sneaky trip gets cautioned before he commits a blooper of note

9
Comments

Here is an interesting clip from Superport's coverage of the Currie Cup in South Africa, and the game between the Cheetahs and Western Province. Rayno Benjamin attempted to kick/trip a player, but got spotted and was cautioned, which apparently means a yellow card.

Most of us probably would have thought that the TMO in this case was referring to a warning, but the referee had little doubt and sent Benjamin to the sinbin straight away.

He then absolutely bombed a try with the tryline in touching distance, and complained about it. It was certainly a rough afternoon out for the Springbok Sevens flyer, as explained by Supersport commentator and analyst, Kaunda Ntunja.

Posted By: Grant Constable

9 Comments

  • jimter10
    6:17 AM 23/08/2015

    Obviously it's not football/soccer/kickball, thank god, but if you draw a parallel, in football a caution means a warning before getting sent off (a yellow card). I think you might be able to apply the same here. The difference being that a yellow comes with a ten minute break.

    Don't know why I felt the need to comment, just killing time till the world cup. I'm desperate for it not to be the top 4 in the semis, top 2 in the final and an nz win.

    My semi-realistic dream would be an Argentina win, that would be incredible. Otherwise I'll take Ireland/France and beyond that an England win. Come on you minnows, get in amongst them

  • breakaway
    2:12 AM 22/08/2015

    I agree, flanker, I'm sure they know the laws. The point is that the conversation between the ref and TMO these days is heard by the viewers, commentators, pretty much everyone. Clarity is what's needed. If saying "caution him" when you mean "yellow card him" wasn't unnecessarily ambiguous, then this video wouldn't even be on here. If the TMO did only mean "warning" but the ref decided a card was more fitting, then fine. But that's not what they are saying happened.

  • drg
    1:10 AM 22/08/2015

    Better to be tripped than kicked in the spuds...

  • flanker2712
    8:43 PM 21/08/2015

    I would guess that the word "caution" has a very clear meaning for both participants in a conversation between the referee and the TMO of a professional rugby game in South Africa, both of whom are likely to be very familiar with the laws of the game!

  • reality
    4:56 PM 21/08/2015

    I think the last time someone tripped me on purpose was when I was 15. It's just petty and isn't an understandable reaction brought on by too much aggression. Considering how it was dealt with, I'm sure Rayno will learn not be such a stupid child and won't be doing this again, so I'd say the yellow card was completely appropriate and warranted.

  • katman
    3:51 PM 21/08/2015

    Whatever the TMO said and meant, sending a player off for what Benjamin did is beyond stupid. If that warrants a yellow card, then every single ruck, scrum and lineout in every game of rugby should see two or three cards.

  • breakaway
    8:27 AM 21/08/2015

    In normal everyday English the word "caution" means to warn or advise. Why would whoever it is that makes these decisions, decide that the word "caution" means something entirely different and confusing on the rugby field. Why doesn't the TMO say something clear and precise like "yellow card", because after all he assures us that's what he meant? Talk about making things harder than they need to be.
    And was it truly a sending off matter? I would've thought a real caution, you know, like a bit of a warning, would've been sufficient.

  • drg
    10:28 PM 20/08/2015

    This guy is insightful (man on video) but I think he needs to work on his confidence in the delivery, sort of stumbled a little with his words and made it a bit overly dry to listen to.

    That all being said from a guy that isn't a fan of public speaking himself...

  • gusurbaref
    5:12 PM 20/08/2015

    Also about TMO consultation and TMO recommendations never forget that:

    "6.A.4 THE DUTIES OF THE REFEREE IN THE PLAYING ENCLOSURE
    (a) The referee is the sole judge of fact and of Law during a match. The referee must apply fairly all the Laws of the Game in every match."

    So, even though the ref may go to TMO and the TMO delivers his/her recommendation, the ref can change that and apply more or less cards, penalties, etc.

    Regards,

    Gus
    URBA ref

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