IRB Sevens- USA
I was amongst the 8 USA TJ's selected for the USA Leg of the IRB Sevens. Joining the 8 US refs were two refs from Canada, and two from the West Indies. Of the 8 US TJ's, about half of us were on our first go round with the INternational tourney.
In conjunction with the IRB men's tourney there was a Women's International 7's tourney the day before and I had the pleasure of refereeing the Canadian Women's Side in two matches. Very talented, and the pace and skill rivaled some of the elite US Men's sides I have done this past year, so needless to say it was very entertaining to referee.
Saturday morning we arrived at the field a few hours before the first kickoff to get acclimated with the venue, warmup, and go through the schedule. Got our kit on, a lovely jersey, however, white shorts and white socks were not very flattering. I blame the fact I look so slow on the white, if it was a different color, I think I would have looked much faster. I quickly found out it was an all work day, as every third match, I was on the field in some role, either as a TJ or a In goal judge, so I was going to be out for 8 of the 24 matches. How it worked out was I was on the field for a match, got off, took off the communication systems, had a drink, a quick snack, watched about 10 minutes of rugby from pitchside, before back in to get commed up, and chat with the ref to see what he expected of us, and then back on the field. As a rugby fan, I was unable to watch a whole lot, but being in the atmosphere was tremendous.
Friday evening we had a brief meeting regarding positioning, and I had gotten some info from some of the refs who had been to the tourney before, but nerves were flying as the first match I was assigned to neared. Luckily I thought I was in In-goal for the first one. I never imagined the in goal judge would work up such a sweat but you do. It took total focus and was always moving to the side of the field the ball was on, as these athletes are so quick, what it would take me to cover 30 M, they would go 80 M in the same time. There was on point in one of the matches on Saturday, Wales I think was playing, where for two minutes all I was doing was sprinting back and forth as they moved the ball sideways and sideways trying to create a gap, and by the end of it I was quite winded. In goal judge was a lot of work needless to say.
Running touch is a lot of work as well. Being such a fast game you need to constantly be thinking of positioning, lagging vs leading, not getting ahead of the ball, as a player makes a break away, not being concerned about in goal as that is in goal judges job, and looking at players feet touching the line.
Overall experiences:
Met some great referees from all over the world. Neil Patterson and James Jones were great to work with, learned a lot from working with them. Big characters as well. It was great running with the same ref a few matches as their confidence in you was built up (if you did a good job). Intimidating refereeing in any facet in front of 20000 fans.
Some big moments for me were calling DJ Huntley of NZ out as he broke away against Scotland. His foot skimmed the line, and it was very intimidating having your call instantly reviewedon the jumbotron as the player and fans are looking at you menacingly. I was correct (Thank God!) but that three seconds without being able to turn around and look and going only by players face is grueling.
Another big moment was in plate final between Argentina and Fiji. Fijian player ran in and had a try. I had good positioning to see the put down, however, he tried to turn it inwards to get better positioning for kick and Argentinian player swiped his arm. Ball came loose and a Fijian player in support touched it down. From my angle I had no depth on ball and could not make the call. When ref asked me for guidance I said I was inconclusive. It ate me up not being able to make the call, but it was not my call to make. I was in proper position as our coach told us, and the lead TJ should have followed into in goal to help with the call. That made me feel a little better but watching the replay over and over of me saying I dont know stunk. Ref awarded the try, and it was the right call, so all ended well.
Overall a tremendous experience, and if Scotland needs another TJ for the Edinburgh Sevens, I am available!!
Overall experiences:
Met some great referees from all over the world. Neil Patterson and James Jones were great to work with, learned a lot from working with them. Big characters as well. It was great running with the same ref a few matches as their confidence in you was built up (if you did a good job). Intimidating refereeing in any facet in front of 20000 fans.
Some big moments for me were calling DJ Huntley of NZ out as he broke away against Scotland. His foot skimmed the line, and it was very intimidating having your call instantly reviewedon the jumbotron as the player and fans are looking at you menacingly. I was correct (Thank God!) but that three seconds without being able to turn around and look and going only by players face is grueling.
Another big moment was in plate final between Argentina and Fiji. Fijian player ran in and had a try. I had good positioning to see the put down, however, he tried to turn it inwards to get better positioning for kick and Argentinian player swiped his arm. Ball came loose and a Fijian player in support touched it down. From my angle I had no depth on ball and could not make the call. When ref asked me for guidance I said I was inconclusive. It ate me up not being able to make the call, but it was not my call to make. I was in proper position as our coach told us, and the lead TJ should have followed into in goal to help with the call. That made me feel a little better but watching the replay over and over of me saying I dont know stunk. Ref awarded the try, and it was the right call, so all ended well.
Overall a tremendous experience, and if Scotland needs another TJ for the Edinburgh Sevens, I am available!!
Judah Boulet
