From ball thrower to whistle blower

With more money coming into the game of rugby union than ever before, coaches and players have never been under such pressure.


Although not quite at football-type levels, sackings certainly do happen, while many players live on a constant tightrope, hoping they have done enough each season to earn another year or two on the contract.


The same applies to referees, who have seldom been under more scrutiny.

The laws are constantly being tinkered with, television producers pore over every contentious decision, while teams prepare for different referees in different ways, doing a…