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So you were never good enough to make the 1st XV, or even play rugby at all? Don’t worry, you can still make it! Jamie Wall explains how.
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There’s one job in rugby that’ll land you on TV alongside the biggest stars in the game. The only qualifications required are the ability to carry a tiny flag (don’t worry, you don’t actually need to lift it up if you don’t want to) and the ability to shake your head and look confused.
It’s called being an assistant referee.
Back in the old days, you were actually responsible for making sure everyone knew when the ball went into touch, as well as if anyone hit the corner post while they were scoring a try. But they’ve taken care of the first role by handing it over to the TMO, then the latter by removing that rule altogether. But even back then, you could make a laughably bad mistake and still get away with it.
Just last weekend during the Chiefs big win over the Rebels, the absolute absence of any sort of responsibility was on show once again.
Is there any bloody reason for linesmen to be there if they can't make calls like this? #CHIvREB #SupeRugby pic.twitter.com/CNXrbnNI3I
— Jamie Wall (@JamieWall2) May 21, 2016
There are other career pathways in sports if you prefer the easy route to the highest level, for example:
- Long jump pit raker – you can make it all the way to the Olympics with this gig, plus you’ll be in the picture when a world record is broken.
- Running race starter – even if you point the gun at someone you can’t mess it up, because it’s full of blanks.
- Podium girl on a cycling tour – you don’t even need to kiss the winner if you don’t want to!
But for the sheer amount of prestige attached compared to the absolute lack of effort required to pull down a reasonably decent pay cheque, you can’t beat rugby assistant referee. Good news for leaguies: there’s just as little talent required in the 13-man code as well.
