The Referee Knows… But Does Everyone Else?

Another big week in rugby, with plenty to unpack from the match officials' perspective!Candace and Rob look at World Rugby's research into what gets fans' hearts racing (and what makes them switch off), the Nations Cup, and a fantastic milestone for women's match officiating in the UK with the first all-female team of three appointed to Women's BUCS Super Rugby.They get stuck into the latest Law Application Guidelines, the rather hefty seven-page Commentators' Brief (thanks Rob)!On the field, they review Ireland v Argentina and Australia v England, covering everything from red-card confusion and the 20-minute red, to scrum penalties, off-feet decisions, hip drops, neck rolls and some interesting TMO moments- which all link to the Law Application Guidelines.Plus, they link the latest trends, talking points and upcoming match official appointments with the Nations Cup/ Nation Championship.#PlayOnPodFollow and subscribe here:I: @play_on_podI: @robgmckayT: @Rob_McKayS: @robgmckayYouTube: http://www.youtube.com/@Play_On_PodcastInstagram: https://instagram.com/p/C6UhhugS3rS Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Candace, Rob and Pearcey are back with another episode of Play On Pod! They review the World Rugby Women’s Awards, Samoa’s governance updates and the exciting rugby announcements ahead of 2027.There’s plenty for match officials this week, including a look at the upcoming junior law changes coming into effect in January 2027, plus some interesting referee stats: who’s handing out the most yellow and red cards?They break down the USA v England (WXV) and USA v Australia A Tests, discussing scrum struggles, long advantages, penalty decisions, charging down kicks and a few moments that had us scratching our heads. Plus they answer a listener question around whether going backwards in the scrum is actually illegal.Rob gives us: Stat Central and upcoming Appointments for- Nations Championship and Nations Cup.Golden Whistle: a big congratulations to Julius Ambat- Community Match Official of the Year & Ben Dorrington-Plumb- Match Official of the month.#PlayOnPodFollow and subscribe here:I: @play_on_podI: @robgmckayT: @Rob_McKayS: @robgmckayYouTube: http://www.youtube.com/@Play_On_PodcastInstagram: https://instagram.com/p/C6UhhugS3rS Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

From Orange Emus 10s chaos to international Test rugby, there’s plenty to unpack this week! Candace shares her first-ever drop-kick goal attempt and a frightening concussion incident, while Rob catches us up on F1J1, the Raeburn Shield and more.They review some general rugby news with World Rugby’s push for extended lower tackle height trials, the latest rankings, Women’s 15s award nominees and a busy week in the judiciary.Plus, they break down the Wallaroos v Scotland Test, including a biting allegation, a fascinating team-of-three foul-play review and a couple of yellow cards. Canada do it again, beating England in Ottawa!Ending the pod with Stat Central, the latest match official appointments across WXV and more! 🏉🎧#PlayOnPodFollow and subscribe here:I: @play_on_podI: @robgmckayT: @Rob_McKayS: @robgmckayYouTube: http://www.youtube.com/@Play_On_PodcastInstagram: https://instagram.com/p/C6UhhugS3rS Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Play on Pod is back with Candace, Rob and Pearcey !Canada stun England, the Wallaroos turn it on, and the Bledisloe delivers plenty of talking points! 🇨🇦🏉From French forwards playing out of position to red cards, TMO confusion, and some big calls under the microscope, we’re breaking down a massive weekend of rugby.Plus, Law of the Week breaks down Law 6.10- Match OfficialStat Central brings the numbers, and our Golden Whistle goes to Aurélie Groizeleau for her 50th Test match! 👏#PlayOnPod@Rob_McKay@play_on_pod@robgmckayYouTube: http://www.youtube.com/@Play_On_PodcastInstagram: https://instagram.com/p/C6UhhugS3rS Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Mudgee 7s leg fatigue, Navosa 7s, lineout chaos and the dark arts of escorting- it’s all on this week’s Play On Pod!They review NZ v AUS, unpack the developing Hip Drop ID framework, crunch the numbers in Stat Central, and look ahead to WXV and the Bledisloe appointments.Plus, a big Golden Whistle congratulations to Yueli Ang and Katie Gent on their selection for the Every Rose Match Official Programme, supporting the next generation of women match officials.And apparently, 11 October was International Referees Day… who knew?! 🟨🟩#PlayOnPodFollow and subscribe here:I: @play_on_podI: @robgmckayT: @Rob_McKayS: @robgmckayYouTube: http://www.youtube.com/@Play_On_PodcastInstagram: https://instagram.com/p/C6UhhugS3rS Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Candace and Rob are back with another big week in rugby and match official news!Candace is heading to Mudgee for the Junior 7s Champs, plus check in with Rob on Fiji 7s and Navosa 7s.This week they dive into the Wallabies vs Springboks TMO tech issues, clock confusion, medics and water runners pushing the boundaries, plus more info re HIA situation that raised a few eyebrows.Main segment is the break down of World Rugby’s latest dangerous tackle guidance, including the growing concern around knee-drop tackles and the new hip-drop tackle law coming into effect from November.Plus:World Rugby law changes & Executive Board electionsUK Premiership- Sarah Cox is back on the whistle!Bath v Exeter and another deliberate knock-down / penalty tryRob providing the appointments for: Bledisloe Check out Rob’s article: 🏉https://89rugby.substack.com/p/ask-the-ref-tmo-comms-fallout-special?r=1gyg8t&utm_campaign=post-expanded-share&utm_medium=web#PlayOnPodFollow and subscribe here:I: @play_on_podI: @robgmckayT: @Rob_McKayS: @robgmckayYouTube: http://www.youtube.com/@Play_On_PodcastInstagram: https://instagram.com/p/C6UhhugS3rS Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Candace and Rob are focusing on all things WXV! 🏉They run through some regular general rugby news with a final reminder to get those RWC 2027 volunteer applications in before the window closes.Then it’s all things WXV, with plenty for the match-official nerds to unpack: England vs New Zealand, a dramatic late missed penalty, yellow-card decisions, lineout height and tackle-release moments. They also break down Scotland vs Australia, the impact of the wind, breakdown management and Australia’s improving game management.Plus: Wales vs USA, France vs Canada, lineout chaos, obstruction calls, offside and escalation processes.Finishing with the usual Stat Central: 50/100, Appointments: WXV + Super Rugby AUS + Law of the Week: Touch, quick throw and lineout- Law 18.22#PlayOnPodFollow and subscribe here:I: @play_on_podI: @robgmckayT: @Rob_McKayS: @robgmckayYouTube: http://www.youtube.com/@Play_On_PodcastInstagram: https://instagram.com/p/C6UhhugS3rS Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Crazy weekend in Oz! 🇦🇺🏉The Wallabies take on South Africa in a wild Nelson Mandela Plate clash packed with TMO drama, yellow cards, replacement confusion, captain chats and a second half that seemed to last forever!Candace, Rob and Pearcey break down the big officiating moments, ruck speed, offside, the penalty try, high tackles, TMO interventions and plenty of referee talking points.Plus, Stat Central and this week’s Law of the Week: Law 12.5(a) - Kick-off and restart kicksFour yellow cards, TMO chaos and a LOT to unpack.🎙️🏉#PlayOnPodFollow and subscribe here:I: @play_on_podI: @robgmckayT: @Rob_McKayS: @robgmckayYouTube: http://www.youtube.com/@Play_On_PodcastInstagram: https://instagram.com/p/C6UhhugS3rS Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week on Play On Pod 🏉🎙️ -a HUGE round of WXV Test rugby!Candace and Rob break down the wild England v Canada 26–26 draw, TMO moments, cards, breakdown battles and plenty of referee talking points.Plus, England v Canada, Scotland v NZ and Ireland v USA all get the Play On treatment.Some important Ultimate 7s chat & 7s refereeing ahead of the Rugby Australia National Community Match Official Webinar, WXV updates, RWC2027 volunteering, the legacy of the 2025 Women’s Rugby World Cup and the latest appointments.WXV Disciplinary update- from previous red cards given, Rob gives an update on the final news. 🟨🟥🏉Candace and Rob are noticing: swinging around in the ruck, and cleaning out beyond the 1m. Rob runs through Appointments for WXV, Wallabies vs Spring Bocks and Super Rugby Aus. Golden Whistle- Jack Larkin’s Super Rugby AUS debut.#PlayOnPodFollow and subscribe here:I: @play_on_podI: @robgmckayT: @Rob_McKayS: @robgmckayYouTube: http://www.youtube.com/@Play_On_PodcastInstagram: https://instagram.com/p/C6UhhugS3rS Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Play On Pod is back with another packed episode of rugby, refereeing, and match-official chat! 🏉Candace and Rob break down the latest Tests, including England v Wallaroos, Scotland v Canada, and South Africa v the All Blacks, with plenty of discussion around TMO interventions, charge-downs, comms issues, water carriers, and some interesting referee moments.They also dive into SVNS Ultimate 7s, referee card-pocket hacks, the latest rankings, Nations Cup fixtures, and our Stat Central numbers.Plus, they look ahead to the Reds v Tahs clash in Roma, highlight some exciting upcoming match officials, and finish with Law of the Week: Closing the Gap at the Lineout. 📖#PlayOnPod@Rob_McKay@play_on_pod@robgmckayYouTube: http://www.youtube.com/@Play_On_PodcastInstagram: https://instagram.com/p/C6UhhugS3rS Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.