Should Rugby introduce a technical area? (to stop teams cheating!)

After the incident between Saints and Tigers where by a Tigers waterboy (man) touched the ball meaning Saints couldn't take a quick lineout in the dying seconds of the game and thus winning it and frustrating most of the spectators and saints players alike, should Rugby introduce a technical area where by non-medical staff like waterboys and kicking coaches etc cannot step outside until the Ref/officials says so?

I felt cheated as a result of this game as there was time to take the lineout, whether the waterboy meant to touch the ball or not imo he shouldn't have been there anyway. This is a Pro sport now and incidents like this detract from the game and sets a poor example, this incident was someting I'd expect to see at a very low level of the game not the top!


Boooo 

Great move from the waterboy.

I think you're looking at this - http://irbofficiating.com/index.php?module=2&section=25&subsection=99&page=2162&language=en

Why would a Barf supporter be worried about what happened between Saints and Tigers?...

Oh yeah   

You could almost say that saints were... lambs to the laughter couldn't you....

What about ball boys? I've seen them touching the ball to stop quick line outs too!

Dave Attwood said something to the effect that you should always expect waterboys and the like to get involved at Welford Road. Brian Moore in his column today says in reply "no you shouldn't". He wants officials to come down hard on any such encroachment. To my mind, that's something the assistant referees ought to be policing,

Rugby Fan wrote:Dave Attwood said something to the effect that you should always expect waterboys and the like to get involved at Welford Road. Brian Moore in his column today says in reply "no you shouldn't". He wants officials to come down hard on any such encroachment. To my mind, that's something the assistant referees ought to be policing,

I agree, it shouldn't even be a talking point to be honest as it was a great game but it is something I'd like to see stamped out of the game.

Is Jumpy still talking Poopie, I haven't looked!

A referee can send off anyone from the field, sideline or stand.

Didn't see the incident, is there a link anywhere?

Ball boys should be considered part of the home team's staff and if they interfere with the game in a deliberate cynical act the home team should be penalised. Where would you have the penalty from? I would suggest, in order to stamp out any chance of such interference, since it happens off the field, the penalty should be on the 22 in front of the posts, regardless of what location of the infringement on the sideline. Coaches would keep the ball boys in check in those situations.

Don't think you can keep medical staff on the sideline waiting on referees to signal them in if a player is injured. I like the fact in rugby that if a player is in trouble, the medical doctor will just run straight on while the play is ongoing. Obviously if this was feigned injury and the doctor tries to impede play by running into the action that is a different story, but player safety must be paramount.

Thats why I said only non medical people should have to stay in the technical area. Its important that these guys are close to the action to responed quickly if required

To be fair I don't think the guy intended to do it but I would question why the players need water with only seconds to go in a game, he shouldn't have been there in the first place.

Having watched the Cardiff Ulster game at the weekend I thought Warburton did a great job as the waterboy, he stayed behind the action and was always down on one knee so as not to impede the fans view who were behind him, best performance from him for some time.

Scrumpy wrote:Thats why I said only non medical people should have to stay in the technical area. Its important that these guys are close to the action to responed quickly if required

To be fair I don't think the guy intended to do it but I would question why the players need water with only seconds to go in a game, he shouldn't have been there in the first place.

You do realise he is one of our two match day physios?

Rugby Fan wrote:Dave Attwood said something to the effect that you should always expect waterboys and the like to get involved at Welford Road. Brian Moore in his column today says in reply "no you shouldn't". He wants officials to come down hard on any such encroachment. To my mind, that's something the assistant referees ought to be policing,

really does make you laugh when reading Brian Moores stuff, he was the biggest cheat in his day and now he's dead against it.

Why not just amend the illogical rule? Or use, you know, judgement?

What was Adam Sandler doing anywhere near the field of play?

But seriously, that is one of the strangest incidents I have ever heard of. Crazy that a non-playing member of staff can affect a game like that. Surely the club should be fined if that it is the case?

GC,

Scrumpy as usual was trying to cause trouble. The guy is one of Leicesters physios and as such is allowed to be where he was. Clumsy, comical (for non-saints) but not breaking any rules unless he was deemed to deliberately play the ball.

Isn't this a common thing? Ball boys quickly passing the ball to the opposition to 'help out' but avoiding it from their own team (except for when they get excited and forget the rules).

It's a stupid rule

LondonTiger wrote:GC,

Scrumpy as usual was trying to cause trouble.

No I'm not, we are a Pro sport now and incidents like this shouldn't happen. they should have been fined.

Scrumpy wrote:

LondonTiger wrote:GC,

Scrumpy as usual was trying to cause trouble.

No I'm not, we are a Pro sport now and incidents like this shouldn't happen. they should have been fined.

Why?

Physios are allowed to be there, so long as they do not deliberately play the ball. You are choosing to ignore the fact he is the physio, despite it being pointed out to you - hence just causing trouble.

But he did play the ball and was only carrying water bottles!

Players don't need a drink in the 79th min.

True, I'm usually magically rehydrated by the 79th minute

I always used to get by on a half time orange or a pint    during the odd social game.