Home advantage and sports- specifically rugby!

What is about this game that makes it so hard to beat a home team??

Home crowds and their supporting lift for their side (plus influencing refs).

Local familiarity - ground/weather conditions, wind variations and local topoogy for kickers?

I think the two mentioned by greytiger are the key ones. Local familarity will also help with the mental preparation, pre-match rituals, etc.

Well ifyou take the Irish Vs SA game yesterday a classic example of how the referee is influenced inmaking a decision was the "late tackle" called against Taute.

The referee didn't blow it, then the crowd erupted and he caved in.

That explains the "home call" made by referees.

And then what has been said before

Wasn't that on the call of the AR? that's why the ref didn't call it originally and then suddenly blew. Not saying it wasn't crowd influenced but it definitely wasn't late. Even the ridiculously biased Irish commentator on the BBC um-ed and ah-ed over it.

Another example was Care's "tip" tackle. It seemed to be lifting a leg when the guy was almost on the floor already and the guy's hips didn't seem to lift. But the AR gave it (quite probably for reckless tackling that 'could' have lead to a tip tackle rather than an actual offence, hence the yellow card not red). Care's had his issues but I don't think the home crowd wanted him off.

Biltong wrote:Well ifyou take the Irish Vs SA game yesterday a classic example of how the referee is influenced inmaking a decision was the "late tackle" called against Taute.

The referee didn't blow it, then the crowd erupted and he caved in.

That explains the "home call" made by referees.

And then what has been said before

Sorry Biltong but thats pish and i suspect you are aware of that. It was a poorly timed hit (he did try to wrap his arms but he was traveling at some speed). The linesman made the call, not the ref and JP himself knew it was a yellow card and had already left the field and had to come back to recieve it.

eirebilly wrote:

Biltong wrote:Well ifyou take the Irish Vs SA game yesterday a classic example of how the referee is influenced inmaking a decision was the "late tackle" called against Taute.

The referee didn't blow it, then the crowd erupted and he caved in.

That explains the "home call" made by referees.

And then what has been said before

Sorry Biltong but thats pish and i suspect you are aware of that. It was a poorly timed hit (he did try to wrap his arms but he was traveling at some speed). The linesman made the call, not the ref and JP himself knew it was a yellow card and had already left the field and had to come back to recieve it.

Not JP Pietersen's tackle Billy, the one late in the second half when Ireland wanted to run out of their 22 and your winger kicked the ball on his 22.

Oh, my bad Biltong sorry.

That was a shocking call, i said in the match thread that i could'nt believe that was given.

From memory though, it was give straight away without a delay or influence from the crowd.

The player’s mindset sometimes. Being a dragons fan I can tell you all about great home performances followed by complete capitulation.....sadly