My job is to persuade people to toe the line and play within the laws of the game.

My job is to persuade people to toe the line and play within the laws of the game.

The scrum and the tackle are the two really contentious areas of the game. If you get those two aspects right, most rugby matches will work in your favour.

But then southern hemisphere teams are more skilful than their northern hemisphere counterparts, which means games can be easier to referee.

If at first you don't succeed, get a bigger hammer.

Coaches do so much research about a referee because they believe refereeing is such a crucial part of the game that the result may hinge on what we say or do. They probably know more about me than I know myself!

Coaches will do what they can but it doesn't necessarily bother me. You are an international referee for a reason. If things like that are going to ruffle your feathers, don't bother doing the job.