Guest Room Extra with Stuart Cummings

Our Guest Room session with RFL Match Officials Director Stuart Cummings generated a massive response, so much so that we couldn’t fit it all in the mag! As Stuart was kind enough to answer every question we received, it seemed a shame to let any of it go to waste so we decided to publish the rest here on the website.

Don’t forget, this is just a taster. You can read the rest of the Q & A in the current issue of Rugby League World, on sale now.

A few weeks ago Widnes played Sheffield and there was an incident where a Widnes player flattened a Sheffield player, the Sheffield coach then came out and had a go at the ref and his appointment, completely neglecting to mention the player who committed the offence. How and why do you put up with it? Sam (web)

I hear a lot of different comments and opinions about incidents in games and everyone is entitled to their opinion. I also have an opinion but mine is based on the Laws of the Game and the Referee Policy that we apply. As long as the referee has acted and based his decisions in line with these documents then I am happy. I cannot however support a referee who applies a Law incorrectly or acts contrary to our policy. We do get periods, like a lot of the clubs do, when pressure is building on the department and the only option is to work harder making sure that things are done correctly on the field and that we do the basic things really well.

With around half the year gone already, have any interpretations or problems occurred that may be reviewed for next season? hindle xiii (web)

It is difficult to say. The coaches are always challenging us with the way they coach their teams in the tackle. The weather is getting better and the grounds are getting firmer so we are getting a much quicker game so lets see what the game delivers over the next few weeks before looking to see whether or not we need to change anything.

If match officials had their own piece of music to run out at games, what would you choose? Neil Blower (email)

They are all different characters so they would have their own individual music:

Steve Ganson – Loves ABBA so he would have SOS.
Ian Smith – He likes Status Quo so Rockin All Over The World.
Richard Silverwood – I Predict A Riot – Kaiser Chiefs.
Ben Thaler – Julio Iglesias – Una Paloma Blanca. He likes Spanish music.
Phil Bentham – Anything by The Carpenters.
Thierry Alibert – Je ne regret rien – Edith Piaf.
James Child – Tina Turner – Simply the Best.

In my view we do not get enough input from linesmen. A lot of the time they are away from the action which means they miss forward passes etc or simply seem reluctant to get involved. Surely it will help our refs if the linesmen are that bit more on the ball? Johnoco (web)

I am not so sure how often you watch the touch judges. Tony Brown watches them regularly and coaches them and if you did watch what they do you will see that they are constantly moving and altering their position based on the game situation. They will then give input to the referee who will decide whether or not to act on it.

And finally…

Cheese or chocolate…? Definitely cheese.
Lager or bitter…? Neither!
Night or day…? Days, especially in summer.
Leg or breast…? Chicken leg, turkey breast!
Lion or tiger…? Tiger.
Pudding and chips or fish and chips…? Fish.
Harry Sunderland or Lance Todd…? Lance Todd – Challenge Cup!
Grand Final or Challenge Cup final…? Challenge Cup – Nostalgia.
Carpet or wood floors…? Depends on which room.
Bath or shower…? Shower.
Kylie or Dannii…? Definitely Kylie.

Sam (web)

Our next Guest Room Q & A is with Rugby League legend Alex Murphy OBE