LEADING IRISH REFEREE Chris Busby is set to confirm his shock decision to retire from professional rugby.
The Ulster man is viewed as one of the top prospects in international refereeing but The 42 understands that he will step away from the professional game in the near future.
Busby is listed to be an assistant referee for two upcoming Six Nations matches but it seems highly unlikely he will take up those appointments.
His decision will cause major surprise but it’s believed many of his fellow match officials are not shocked at a high-level referee retiring amid a feeling that they are not shown enough support and respect.
Busby’s decision comes in the wake of the case involving Mack Hansen’s stinging criticism of Busby and his fellow officials following Connacht’s URC defeat to Leinster on 21 December.
Hansen criticised the refereeing of that inter-pro, suggesting it was the latest example of what he perceived as a bias against his province.
Hansen’s independent disciplinary hearing took place yesterday and he was given a three-match ban that means he will be available for the start of Ireland’s Six Nations campaign.
While Busby’s decision to retire is said to be multi-factored, with personal reasons to the fore, it’s thought that this episode involving Hansen has been the tipping point.
The lengthy delay in holding a hearing for Hansen is thought to have been frustrating for match officials – the Connacht wing played for his province against Ulster in the meantime – with the feeling being that referees needed to be shown clearer support by rugby authorities through swift and strong action.
The URC has pointed to the timing of the game just before Christmas, this being an off-field issue, and the challenge of an independent disciplinary panel being appointed as the reasons for the hearing taking place yesterday.
However, there is a sense within the refereeing community that there is a growing lack of respect for match officials from coaches, players, and supporters.
Busby’s decision is also thought to have been influenced by the levels of toxic online abuse that referees and their families have to deal with these days. Social media means fans can directly contact officials and their loved ones, with some of them even facing death threats.
Former Ballyclare player Busby turned professional with the IRFU’s high performance refereeing panel in 2021 after a swift rise from the club game. He was an assistant referee at the 2023 Rugby World Cup and refereed his first all-Tier 1 Test match when he took charge of South Africa’s clash with Wales last year.
He will be a major loss to Irish refereeing given that he has been in charge of high-profile Tests in recent times, including Scotland’s clash with Australia in November, and was seen as a strong contender to go to the 2027 World Cup as one of the main referees.
Busby is due to referee the Champions Cup clash between Bath and Clermont this Sunday but it’s unclear how much longer he will be active at professional level.
The only other Irish match officials set to be involved in the Six Nations are Andrew Brace and Eoghan Cross, underlining how big a blow it is for the IRFU to lose Busby. The URC will also lose one of its top referees.
Saying that Hansen is even part of the reason for his retirement is ridiculous
@Dave Moran: you can guarantee it was part of the decision
@adizlack93: how can you
@anthony davoren: 1. It was a shock decision that came out of nowhere as the article states. 2. It’s directly after he was personally criticised by a fan favourite Irish player (rightly or wrongly) which gained serious media attention globally and his name included in every article. 3. Wayne Barnes retired after a similar situation when his family received death threats. There’s some nut jobs out there and Busby obviously decided it ain’t worth the hassle anymore.
@Dave Moran: Wishful thinking. That is the way to deal with any problem
@Dave Moran: Why so?
@Dave Moran: Yeah. Must be a total coincidence like….
@adizlack93: utter nonsense, Elite refereeing is a short term enterprise and ref’s know when they have reached their peak. Busby had a career outside of being a pro referee already, whic no doubt rewarded him better than being a ref. And there’s as much chance that his decision to retire |(if true) is likely based on his appointment to only AR roles in the 6N as any criticism he took from Hansen comments after the Leinster game.
A player generally criticising offcials treating Connacht incidents differently (as we saw in the game with the handling of the head clashes, but not exclusively referring to theat one game), the main focus of Hansen’s ire was actually the TMO not Busby. The other issue which has never been adressed by URC or IRFU is why Connacht are unique in having (with only a few exceptions) Irish officals referees their matches (four out of the five this season were entirely Irish Ref & TMO), and it is not a one season occurance…
@Sea Point: sure my man, stick your head in the sand if you want
@adizlack93: try reading the whole piece before making unfounded assumptions.
@Sea Point: it would be helpful for all refs that they no longer ref local derbies. It brings extra scrutiny, allegations of bias and impacts the refs performance. It puts them all in a difficult position
@adizlack93: So in other words, he lacked competence to do his job at the level required? Nothing to do with Hansen. If one comment was somehow enough to make him quit that says a lot about him..
@Sea Point: So his shock announcement to retire from refereeing Pro Rugby, just after the Hansen ban is published is pure coincidence? Not related at all?
@Dave Moran: says a lot about you if you dont think social media pressure is a thing in 2025. What age are you Dave??
@adizlack93: you cannot possibly know that
@Dave Moran: Who would be a referee having to put up with this nonsense. Can’t see the lure of the job. And the game is impossible without them. Social media will be the ruination of sport.
@Sea Point: Hi… My name is Princess Montosumo. I have been exiled from my small, but very wealthy African Kingdom by my unscrupulous Uncle who was responsible for the death of my Father. I need to access my personal fortune of more than £400m to prevent my Uncle for using this for his evil and brutal regime. But I need your help as I do not have a bank account. Please send me your bank account number, passport, DOB, personal address, PPSN and related passwords and I will deposit all of this wealth to your account. My country’s future depends on you.
@Paul Ennis: We don’t want to read the text messages from your wife’s boyfriend, cheers
@adizlack93: You’re the one with your head up your ………..!
Hope the many on here wanting more referee accountability are satisfied. And wthe experts will be out volunteering as referees to replace him. We simply don’t have enough referees and with the pressure from some expert fans its not really worth it. Hope everyone who wanted more public accountability of refs are happy.
@Kingshu: unfettered personal attacks on referees are wrong but there absolutely should be accountability, even if only in an acknowledgement of errors via referees oversight body periodically.
@Kingshu: Yes to accountability. That’s how you get the best refs.
@Richard Powell: What you asked for on accountability is is already in place, and you have seen them admit errors. And more incoming/already here ‘THE URC INTENDS to introduce both a video review programme and an ‘Ask the Ref’ feature on its website as a means of engaging with the rugby public in relation to contentious decisions by match officials’ ‘“And rightly or wrongly, we then say the referee was correct or the referee was incorrect.” So I take it you have no issue on accountability?
@Richard Powell: nope absolutely not (and Busby retiring is not necessarily related to that), elite professional reffing has seven day week demands during the season and it’s not for everyone especially when they start a family. But professional referees should be as accountable as professional players. They aren’t and perhaps fans would have more respect for officials if there was more transparency, not just the usual sweeping under the carpet…
@Richard Powell: There are huge levels of accountability, feedback and performance analysis for referees. What people want is ritual public humiliation not accountability.
@Sea Point: So his shock retirement, just hours after the results of the Hansen investigation into criticism of Busby and other referees are published, is pure coincidence?
@Kingshu: Your opinion is biased as you don’t have to put up with his biased refereeing as he is from Ulster.
@Kingshu: You won’t be surprised to hear that I 100% agreed with this statement. No referee is perfect, but we are in danger of allowing the pursuit of perfection getting in the way of the good. Chris was a decent referee and would have had years of service to give but now the IRFU have to start again with someone new, with less experience and guess what??? They will make mistakes and end up getting trolled by someone else who puts the best interests of their province ahead of the best interests of the game as a whole!
@Thomas Bohan: That doesnt make any sense, if hes from Ulster but not refereeing Ulster games, then who is he biased too?
@Paul Ennis: agree, part of me thinks the timing was done, to make a stand for referees as a whole that they need stronger support. We know that refs get tough reviews and these are rightly kept private, but some want referees to be publicly accountable and visibly punished by refing AIB after a poor game. But I have never seen after a close loss a section of the losing teams fans not blame the ref, meaning that after every close loss the ref would be reffing a AIB game the following week to keep that vocal section of fans happy, or else they aren’t being punished in thier view. Another part of it is there isn’t a big pool of referees, produced by any union in the URC so even if you were to drop them, its very difficult to promote someone that quality enough to cover the game.
@Kingshu: I am saying your opinion here is biased as you don’t have to witness Busby ref your team. If you had to put up with him the last few years, then maybe you might understand. I generally think your opinions on the 42 are good and factual and often fair. Hansen didn’t question just Busby but the double act who also missed the cheap tackle that put him out for several months against munster. Also, after that match, the authorities saw fit to go back and ban Bolton rightly so and upgrade his yellow. However, never saw fit to look at what happened to hansen, which was just as bad. JOD missed 3 weeks hansen 5 months for their injuries.
@Sea Point: what do you mean by accountable as professional players? What do you want to see from a ref who makes a mistake or misses something? How would you suggest accountability? Just an example?
@Thomas Bohan: cheers but I’m maybe missing something, as my opinion is referees in general not just Busby, but does highight it. while Busby decision is partly to do with the Hansen incident, and Hansen did say it was against so called bigger teams in other games wasnt just on Busby, and actually think it could have been a smart ploy by Connacht, as dont think the comments were without foundation. But it was the totally wrong way to deliver them, and couldnt be backed up as facts, so were opinions. The jist of my comment is about fans wanting referees to be publicly held accountable and punished, and the lack of support referees get from unions with increasing pressure from players/coaches and fans.
@Kingshu: I personally know a former Irish ref who reffed at international level. He often received physical harm threats, death threats and even his wife and young family(at the time) were threatened with physical harm. He retired at a very young age partially due to the mental and emotional effect it was having on him and the genuine fear for his and his families safety. He went on to have a position behind the scenes with the irfu on recruitment and training of young Irish refs but due to his and other similar cases to other pro refs it is an extremely hard to hire and retain refs. My fear is the abuse to refs is only getting worse. Sure every loss is apparently the refs fault judging by the majority of comments here on the 42. It’s such a shame.
@Thomas Bohan: what you want is the ref to use the rules you believe are correct and not the actual rule of the game it seems. Hodnet got a yellow for side entry which should never have happened as it isn’t cynical or dangerous play, just unlucky for MH. It was a clearout and not a tackle by the way. So if you wanna tell us what laws JH broke other then side entry at a ruck I’m all ears. Wasn’t a Croc roll, didn’t lead with shoulders or make contract with head.
@Patrick O’Sullivan: Ye go to ralston’s targeting of JOD’s knee, it was a stonewall red all day long and refs were instructed even to be on top of targeting of lower limbs at the breakdown, but ralston got a yellow.
Just from those 2 exchanges, munster are the side that could feel like they were hard done by not on both counts, not connacht.
@Kingshu: There is no doubt that the timing was to make a stand. In the article it states that referees are not happy that the investigation and charges took too long. The problem with a public evaluation / dressing down / review / criticism / appraisal / disciplinary action (delete as appropriate) for referees is that there will still be arguments regarding the outcome. Most people do not understand the nuances involved in refereeing at a local level never mind professional and therefore they will not understand the review.
@Kingshu: which is better bad referees or no referees?
@Sea Point: so do you want the Connacht teams video review to be made public? So everyone can dissect every mistake in minute detail. Is that the sort of accountability players face?
@Stephen Nolan: Their accountability comes when they get dropped or lose a contract or their coach says they aren’t playing good enough to be picked. We can see the accountability, players don’t keep getting picked when their performances are sub par. And if they do and the team doesn’t perform, the coach is held accountable and in some cases gets sacked. Refs are untouachable and can’t ever be questioned, and there is no transparency, which leads to bad games and people like you just hand over your money and gobble it all up, with no desire for improvement. You see how this works?
Nice one Murray making Mack guilty by association for Busby retiring , top drawer sports journalism.
@richard gibbons: I don’t think we needed him to join the dots, did we?
@richard gibbons: Murray is a top level journalist and to be honest, if he says something it’s because he has huge under knowledge but may not be able to publish his sources. I’d trust Murray far far more than some randomer on the internet to be honest, as would many. There is zero reason to question his integrity despite your desire to have a favourite player be able to wash his hands if this (I said myself I assumed it had nothing to do with it but evidently I was wrong)
@PJ Smith: *insider
@PJ Smith: So because he is a ‘top level’ journalist which is your opinion he can cite the secret act of sources while defaming someones character , hmm well my sources tell me Murray is guilty of the character assassination of Mack Hansen and he knows he is which is my opinion and is just as valid because I have sources!
@richard gibbons: Yes but you have no established credibility I’m afraid so your statement will carry no weight. Murray does, he has a professional reputation that he’s developed over years and is known as a man of integrity and huge knowledge within the industry. That’s why people trust him and not you. Sorry to have to break that to you.
@PJ Smith: Having a professional reputation does not guarantee being correct. I read Murray’s words and they clearly associate/ link Busby retiring due to Mack Hansen’s outburst , now unless Busby told Murray and will say so why does Murray feel it is OK to write what he did , because he has sources that you or I or others reading his article have no idea off!! As you said just ‘because he is your favourite’ journalist he can’t say what he said without proof.
@richard gibbons: Actually if you look at what he wrote you will see it is carefully worded so he absolutely can write it. And unless you have anything to show otherwise, Murray’s established professional reputation grants a degree of trust that is fundamental to journalism. Unless you have a reason why he would abandon his integrity and just make stuff up for no reason to go after mack? Yeah, didn’t think so. I get you don’t want to accept it but it seems Mack’s outburst did play a role and it’s another sign of a growing issue facing the sport
@richard gibbons: Its not the first time either! But these lad have to eat too and the timings are a buffet for clicks and comments. Agreed tho.
@PJ Smith: you keep banging on about Murrays reputation etc etc and then self congratulate yourself in thinking you’ve put me back in my box. Well I’m proud to say I have my own opinions and no Murray fanboy will change that.
@richard gibbons: Lol, so angry you are. You can sit on top of your box, next to it, put it on a plane and wave it goodbye for all I care. I’m just explaining how the world works to you. You don’t have to accept it if you don’t want to, enjoy your opinions!
@richard gibbons: He did absolutely put you back in your box.
@PJ Smith: ah ok YOUR explaining to me I’m sorry for doubting your knowledge I will fly away and enjoy seeing you far in the distance
@Kingshu: did he now. Your opinion.
@richard gibbons: LOL, you’re right I’ll have to find a way to garner a reputation that generates a degree of trust.
@PJ Smith: anything else derogatory to say about me ?
@richard gibbons: Oh lighten up lad, that was a very funny joke
@PJ Smith: according to who was it a very funny joke ? I’m sorry I only respect professional comedians with a good reputation for being funny.
@richard gibbons: Followed by top drawer trolling. The timing of the announcent has been orchestrated to leave us without any doubt as to the reason for Chris Busby’s retirement. Rugby is a sport with human participants. Let’s show a bit of humanity!!
@richard gibbons: Sure I am a professional comedian, ask my wife!
@richard gibbons:
I think Busby could be more upset with the officiating team he got at the Aviva that night.
The TMO missed the Barrat hit on Bundee. The TMO also was pain stakingly asking him to look at a potential head clash when he said he could see nothing much in it and just awarded a Penalty. Add in that he was on the other side for the scurm calls which were penalising Buckley when he didn’t seem wrong (lineman should have helped him) and linesmen gave him no support on offside.
I say he saw this at half time and the second hald was a lot better.
Mac was frustrated too and called it out and Matt took the heat for what wasn’t really his fault.
I can see how Matt felt that it is not worth it…
@richard gibbons: Agreed pretty slanderous by Murray here, click bait garbage. If I were Mack I’d be noting this down next time these journos come hunting for content to sell their cheap subscriptions.
I never understand people criticising referees.Pure ignorance and arrogance. The job is nigh on impossible. They have to make multiple decisions per second from one angle at pace whilst their heart rate is in the upper range. Both teams actively try to “play” them and both captains will try pressurise them. Thats before you add the crowd. Most people on these forums would be nervous doing a presentation in the office. these guys have to do their job in front off 1000′s of people. Never mind the media and social media after which dissects mili second by mili second their entire performance. They will make 100′s of correct calls a game and receive no acknowledgement.
We have a tiny pool of referees because the gig is so hard and the pressure is insane and we are going to be in a right mess when we don’t have enough to field matches. And keyboard warriors on here spewing their nonsense is vile and ruining our game.
@Colm McLaughlin: Can we pin this post to the top of The 42 please?
@PJ Smith: Yeah, of course, absolutely
@Colm McLaughlin: it’s not the right or wrong call’s that the issue. Of course refs will make mistakes ffs. It’s the inconsistencies and fair play that’s the issue.
@Ray Ridge: Consistancy is literally impossible. To replicate each decision exactly 100% of the time across a match is genuinely never going to happen as long as human beings are involved. And the lack of understanding people have for this is incredible. Anti ref sentiment is at best lazy and ill informed and at worst ruining the game and people’s careers/mental health.
A lot of referees and officials make life hard for themselves. Just apply fair play and equity across the board. I’m not chatting about right or wrong calls. Referees will always make wrongs decisions but once it’s the same for both teams I don’t think anyone will have an issue with that.
@Ray Ridge: Why would an Ulster man favour Connacht over Leinster?
@Ray Ridge: if players played by the rules, referees would have an easier job
@James Murphy: it’s an IRFU directive. Brought in at the beginning of the professional era.
@Liam23: Play by the rules. Have you never been on a pitch lad!
@Ray Ridge: You genuinely believe refs are consciously giving decisions against Connacht?
@Ray Ridge: How do they not do this? This is such a braindead comment
@Thesaltyurchin: I played rugby for 35 years but rugby was simpler back when I started playing it. There is too many rules now. For example at any ruck there is multiple infringement’s, both teams/supporters see the other team committing them and the ref has to make a decision, therefore one team won’t be happy. In professional rugby match more responsibility should be put on touch judges eg crocked throw, scrums near them and especially the offside line.
@Ray Ridge: Ray is that tinfoil hat itchy?
@Liam23: Laws lad rugby has LAWS not rules!!
@Liam23: thats fair enough really.
It’s my view that Busby was also badly let down by his TMO !
@William Sandys: Yes 100%. I’d nearly go far as to say it’s the TMO who ought to call it a day. Most TMOs like to see the incident at real speed to determine an outcome. However, this TMO likes to use numerous freeze frames from numerous different angle to justify his decision. It’s not good enough. This is the kind of nonsense that upsets people. Not the marginal calls right or wrong.
And so we have it. People are happy to take shots at referees over and over as if they’re not human beings, scrutinising (mostly incorrectly) everything they do and calling them incompetent and corrupt (at best) because they all assume they are experts in the application of the complex laws of rugby. Let that trend continue and see how the professional game goes without professional referees. That said I doubt this decision was come to lightly and I wouldn’t like to see Hansen subject to any abuse for this, he made his apology and I assume Busby had already made his choice when this happened.
Johnny sexton set the precedent for how refs are treated by players in European cup final in 2023.
@Tommy Kennedy: Rassie’s behaviour during the Lions tour, ROG’s behaviour on the sidelines in the top14 happened long before that. Get that blue chip off your shoulder.
@Johndoe: Coaches can, players cant. (imo)
@Johndoe: Sexton was not a member of the Leinster back room staff at the time. Just an entitled spectator who should have known better!!
@Tommy Kennedy: I definitely think this was part of the problem and too many Leinster fans (including myself) stayed quiet. His behaviour was intolerable. Maybe if Irish Rugby had demonstrated a bit of back bone and left out greatest ever player out of the squad and he missed his RWC Finale, the Mack Hansen outburst wouldn’t have happened.
Most people felt that Hansen’s level of honesty was refreshing. He expressed how he felt decisions in general were going against team, rather than singling out one referee. He has since accepted his punishment.
At the same time, the game overall is looking to develop stars, personalities, branding and move beyond just having the traditional values. It’s pro sport now and it’s competitive out there trying to get funding. The behind the scenes documentaries are trying to make a bit of headway in this direction, but last years ‘full contact’ on Netflix fell far short of the impact that it could potentially have had.
Online hate and trolling etc isn’t acceptable, but that can’t be dropped on Hansen’s doorstep. He’s passionate about playing for his Province and these interviews are right after the match. There probably is a middle ground between being overly honest and boringly media savvy, but at that time point, I don’t think we should be too harsh on the player.
I wish Busby all the best and hope it turns out to be the right decision for him.
@Nicholas Farrar: Most people? Internet comment boards are an echo chamber and cannot count. I would love to see where the “most people” outside of that is justified
@PJ Smith: What do you want him to do? Knock door to door to get everyone’s opinion before he can comment? Like most of us you have to go off what you have seen, read, or heard, etc.
And I think his comment is one of the more level headed ones going.
@David Hickey: No I just don’t agree when people try to imply in an unjustified manner that their position is that shared by the majority, consider it a pet peeve of mine.
@PJ Smith: The evidence is out there and you don’t even have to try hard to find it……
@RoadRunner R1: Oh wow this vague, unsupported statement changes… absolutely nothing.
@David Hickey: So you supported Jonny Sexton when he was honest with the refs after the LAR match right? All of you are deeply unserious people.
@David Hickey: Or, or, or… here is a thought… don’t quote “most people” to excuse your own opinion!!!
Shame on you, Mack Hansen. Shame on you. A pathetic three match ban for horrendous abuse of a young referee doing a thankless job. A very, very sad day for Irish Rugby. This sets a dangerous precedent now. Can’t blame Busby for making this decision, best wishes to him in the future.
@Aidan Farrell: If a ref can’t take criticism then he shouldn’t be in the job. He was absolutely awful in that Connacht Leinster match and so was the TMO.
@Aidan Farrell: Remind me what happened to the Irish captain who verbally attacked the match officials multiple times so much so that they were scared to go to the post match function? In a game he wasn’t even playing in? Clutch your pearls elsewhere.
@Aidan Farrell: Grow up. Busby is a poor ref and won’t be missed. Mack Hansen didn’t attack him personally but pointed out the clear errors in his performance. If he can’t take criticism that’s nothing to do with Mack. I’m sure some faceless, nameless hard men throw grief at him and all referees on an hourly basis, but what internet trolls do is nobody’s fault but their own
@Matthew Smith: Sexton should have got a 6 month ban after his vile outburst following that Champions Cup final loss. I have no problem in saying so. Respect for the referee is paramount in rugby football. Hansen showed none whatsoever to Mr Busby. Shameful.
@Jonny Hellzapoppin: That’s the most oxymoronic post that I have read in a long while.
@Aidan Farrell: Lol! Your priceless Aidan
@Aidan Farrell: I’d bump you to the top of the likes , :) ha
@Matthew Smith: He retired, got a very good job, and wrote an incredibly successful biography……..
Or is it some other Irish captain you’re referring to ?
@Aidan Farrell: so you feel it was the criticism from Mack that caused this, but yet you have no problem criticising Mack.
@Matthew Smith: you were supporting Jonny then right? With the same level of support you have given Mack in every thread on this topic today?
@Gary D: Not at all, Sexton personally attacked a ref with profanity after a game he wasn’t even playing in. The match officials were scared to make eye contact with him and also scared to go to the post match function. Sextons abuse was vile, personal and unbecoming of the captain of my country. Petulant childish and brutish behaviour. What Mack did was ill advised and not productive, but he didn’t single out any ref and he didn’t abuse anyone. Yet he got the same ban as Sexton, which is the point.
So will every player criticised retire as well ? Or is it just a bruised ego from an untouchable ref ?
@Chris Tobin: The difference is when a player gets criticised, they get everything provided to them to deal with it. Mental health professionals, teammates, sports psychology, doctors, everything. A rugby player leads a very sheltered life. Referees get nothing. Zip.
@Conor Lynott: players are also paid astronomically more than referees
@Conor Lynott: FYI, so do elite referees actually, they work in teams,and have all the suppports including fintess, diet, physcology etc players do. They’re not just some random lads with a bit of rugby knoweldge rocking up on a Saturday from working down the local factory..
I’d just point out that this is the same ref who put his arm out for a Connacht advantage with 5 minutes to go 10 metres from the Leinster line and then pulled his arm back in.
It’s either advantage or it’s not. If he has that level of I devision then he’s not good enough to be a professional referee. Be interesting to see how he performs at Bath v Clermont on Sunday
@Patrick Kennedy: So he can’t change his mind? Let me get this right, you want him to make a split second decision and get it right 100% of the time and if he doesn’t, to not change his mind while he still can and go with what he believes is the wrong decision? Not half demanding are you. For the record he did the same thing in a scrum in that game where Leinster were dominant in case you were trying to imply bias. Regardless, really poor taste coming out with this nonsense as the man announces his retirement.
@Patrick Kennedy: Maybe his Conscience got the better of him. Perhaps it’s an admission of GUILT. I have a little bit of sympathy for him as his TMO on the day was equally if not more culpable. I mean those numerous freeze frames to justify a penalty for Leinster was actually funny. Then not even as much as a second look at shoulder to Bundee head, never mind freeze framing it. I feel he thought his position at an official was no longer tenable and he’s doing what he feels is the right thing.
@PJ Smith: PJ why would he put his arm out in the first place if he hadn’t seen an infringement? That makes absolutely zero sense. Game was in the balance at 17-12 and arguably Connacht couldn’t scored off a kick to the corner.
As for the scrum there were 2 in that game that Porter collapsed yet Bealham was penalised – porter’s arm hit the ground first and he was bound on the shoulder instead of the jersey which was blindingly obvious. Porter has a rep for this and would stop being penalised if he stopped scrummaging illegally.
@Patrick Kennedy: Ah lad, you live in some utopian world in your head where it’s all black and white it seems. Reffing rugby ain’t black and white I’m afraid, it’s all shades of gray and it’s incredibly difficult so yes, he can see something and initially think penalty but on immediate reflection change his mind. That’s perfectly normal and if you can’t see that I would genuinely hate to work with or for you. If you want to do an in-depth and impartial analysis of every call and non-call in that game then I’d love to see it, if you’re going to pretend that Connacht got no calls and didn’t get away with anything based on interpretation of the laws then I’m not interested in joining you inside your own head as despite it’s failings, I prefer the real world.
@Patrick Kennedy: maybe he got the decision wrong and realised it and dropped his arm. What’s wrong with that???
@PJ Smith: Except it is, a penalty is a penalty – it’s not “that’s an offence but I’ll change my mind for some bizarre reason woops better pull my arm back in quick”
As for the personal attack on me that’s the last resort of someone who has no comeback to perfectly legit points and hod forbid anyone criticises your beloved Leinster players, the pack of absolute bottlers that they are,
@Patrick Kennedy: *god forbid
@Patrick Kennedy: Personal attack? You seem very desperate to pull that card. I wonder why? Shot your load a bit early lad, there was no personal attack just pointing out your idealistic view (in a very funny manner I might add). Again, it’s all shades of gray. It’s literally why people spend so much time arguing about decisions from both sides after the fact. Let me rephrase your summary to help you, “I initially thought that was a penalty from initial view but I realise now it was not” If you can’t accept that, rugby ain’t your sport. Criticise Leinster all you want, makes no difference to me.
@PJ Smith: PJ if you had an intelligent thought in your head it would die from loneliness.
I’m not desperate to pull anything, just pointing out that instead of actually responding to the points I made you chose to make personal comments qbout me. Must be because you have no way to respond. And in open play something is either an infringement or it isn’t. Doesn’t take Nigel Owens to figure that one out.
@Patrick Kennedy: There are no so blind as those who will not see. Congratulations on your irony award though, I suspect it’s one of many in the cabinet. Funny thing is Nigel would agree with me!!!
@Patrick Kennedy: leinster players do a have bit of bottlers about them. Cullen tries to weed that out by sending most of the bottlers to your mob.
@chris mcdonnell: Haha will we be expecting a load of players to cross the Shannon during the summer after they don’t win the European Cup again?!
It’s good to have constructive criticism of match officials, but Mark H was way out of order. I’m an oldie and in my day you took it on the chin. That was the day when “home referees” were notorious for leaning one way. But today with all the cameras , assist referees , and TMO’s you have to trust the system. Yes there are bad calls, but generally there are reviews. Matt is a good referee. Don’t quit. We need guys like you. Maybe if this continues we will be struggling to get referees. No referee, no game. Otherwise you will have to pay them much more. Maybe that’s the answer. It’s a professional game , but the officials are paid peanuts.
@John Sutcliffe: 100%, Hansen was out of order and was punished, I think Busby has actually taken a stance for referees at the lack of protection for referees and this case highlights the pressure from Players/fans/media and that the Union are not doing enough to protect them. He may have been waiting on the outcome of the Hansen hearing to decide if he is getting the protection referee’s deserve.
@Kingshu: The level of refereeing is not great within the URC. Busby in fairness is amongst the better ones. Important calls should be verified by TMO unless otherwise obvious. The Connacht v Leinster match I thought was officiated well.
Once you decide to become a referee, criticism goes with the territory. Players coaches, managers are subject to all sorts of criticism. Same in most walks of life. If Busby is retiring purely on the back of Hansen’s comments, he is in the wrong business. Nic Berry was slaughtered by Erasmus on the lions tour; he’s still reffing.
Frank Murphy gets dog’s abuse, but is still working. They learn to cope
I’d be very surprised if that’s the reason Busby is packing it in. If so, with the aim if making Hansen feel bad, not a good look.
@Brian Flynn: This is the problem, instead of pushing back against abuse of referees and supporting them, you’re told to cop on and deal with it or go out the door. This attitude will leave very few professional referees left in the game at some point in the future. Don’t blame the victim!
Hansen should have been suspended for months not weeks. Players cannot be publicly allowed to critique refs- it is a red line that shouldn’t be crossed. Refs are human and they make mistakes, the same as players do.
@Delboy: Yes… A former head coach at my local club received a 6 month ban for a lot less!! An example needs to be set… maybe it should have happened to Johnny Sexton and then this wouldn’t have happened. The punishments were not severe enough. Time for World Rugby to put an automatic ban in place for any players or coach who criticises a referee or the fraternity.
Players and fans need to have a good long look at themselves. No referees, no games: simple as that
@Niall Boyle: No money from fans means no professional rugby and no need for professional “Paid” referees..
Public scrutiny is not only good, it’s an absolute necessity !!!
@RoadRunner R1: there’s a lot more to rugby than the professional game. What about the men and women driving around the provinces every week to ensure games go ahead and they get nothing but abuse?
@RoadRunner R1: Rugby will survive without the professional game… Rugby will not survive without referees.
He’s no loss to the game.
Hanson is totally correct
@Derek Casserly: Who’s Hanson? Your favourite pop group?
@Justin Robinson: showing your age now oh oh oh ….MMMBop
Holy shxt
In that Connacht Leinster game it was the TMO who kept asking Busby to look again at the tackle on Gus McCarthy. Busby said more than once that he was happy it was contact on the chest. He seemed to want to let the game flow otherwise. But that instance with the TMO gave the impression that Connacht were under the microscope more than Leinster. lf we want the game to flow we have to accept there will be mistakes, if we want every decision to be checked we will have constant stoppages. They can only be good enough, they can’t be perfect. And too many of the complainers don’t know the laws in the first place.
@Rab McCracken: If it’s broke, then by all means please do fix it !!!!!
@Rab McCracken: That tackle on Gus McCarthy is the perfect example of a team working well together. Busby could not see the contact pitch side. We don’t know why or how that was but watching tv in our sitting rooms is not the same as watching it in the aviva. The TMO was pressing the issue because he could see clear head contact and felt it might meet the yellow card threshold. However, once he showed the correct angle to Busby again and he could see it, the referee decided that whilst it was foul play their was mitigation and it warranted a penalty only. The TMO agreed with his decision.
The Sport needs to step up and support Referees as key part of promoting the sport…. Without good Refs the sport is at a major loss….
Is their such a forum that the URC referees meet weekly to review highlights as a refereeing team to review certain games a sort of a lesson learnt and with the view for further alignment that all the Refs are more aligned with on field decisions… I think this would also remove the individual responsibility of decision making if supported by the Refs in general….?
He’s no loss. Very poor referee.
And Hanson was totally correct. Connacht always get screwed by refs- Busby one if the worst
@Derek Casserly: Busby is a good referee. He is one of the few that are very clear in explaining their decisions.
I think Hansen was right but not that particular game, which is just my opinion.
The URC officiating at times leaves a lot to be desired. Paul and others on here will attest to the background feedback which referees receive. My gripe is that we don’t always see improvements after a bad game. We also have to be real that people make mistakes and learn from them. Hopefully, we will see an upturn in officiating standards.
Can we assume that TMO Mark Patton will also be given the opportunity to retire rather than face the ignominy of dismissal ?
Hansen behaved like a 10 year old boy. It was embarrassing the carry on of him. I couldn’t believe it coming from an international professional. Connacht are crap and that’s why they lose ffs. Now a ref has quit and is probably mentally unstable because of it.
@James Murphy: Mentally unstable? Glad to see you’re not jumping to conclusions lad.
@Patrick Kennedy: There’s a fair chance he is if you quit your job.
If he can’t take criticism that’s nothing to do with Mack. I’m sure some faceless, nameless hard men throw grief at him and all referees on an hourly basis, but what internet trolls do is nobody’s fault but their own. He’s a bad ref anyway, maybe if he listened to the valid critiques of his performances then he’d improve but he seems not to be interested & we don’t need officials like that
@Jonny Hellzapoppin: True. By him walking away is an admission of guilt. If he not strong enough to stand his ground then he shouldn’t be a referee in the first place.
@Jonny Hellzapoppin: massive shortage of referees, I take it your a volunteer referee? You make it sound so easy, like.
@Kingshu: What’s a volunteer got to do with it? Busby is a well paid professional.
Is anyone actually reading the whole piece or just the headline. The amount of clowns here saying Hansen is definitely the reason Busby is retiring. Try reading the piece first trolls
@anthony davoren: So he announces his retirement and hour after Mack’s 3 match ban is announced and you think it is unrelated? Murray states in his article that their was frustration amongst referees at the lack of support shown by the URC / IRFU and that this was the final straw for Chris on too of some other personal issues. Maybe you also need to read the article yourself and try engaging your brain before making ironic comments.
Sorry meant to say Chris is a good referee. My mistake.
Sorry meant to say Chris is a good referee. Typo
I don’t think Matt Hansen was critical of the referee in his post-match comments – it was the TMO he attacked imo. The ref missed both incidents (they can’t see everything) but Hansen pointed out that the TMO could see the minimal, if any, contact on the head by the Connacht out-half, but missed the direct head hit on Bundee Aki by Barrett. In fact the referee only gave a penalty for the former, despite being pushed strongly for a yellow card by the TMO.
If you can’t handle the heat get out of the kitchen.
The problem is not restricted to referees but the laws of the game .
Many situations are 50/50 where the reward ie a penalty far exceeds the nature of the infringement and receive a double reward for a minor offence
A kick within 5 metre s of the line with. The benefit of a throw in having turned down and opportunity of 3 .
Thus games can be seriously affect by referees
Similarly in certain situations refereees opt to referee the defending term rather than the attacking
Eg offside is an easy call on the line whereas blocking by an attacking team occurs nearly as often but seldom called
@SAMUEL T McGLADERY: You are right, many are 50/50 and the additional problem is that supporters of team A only ever seen the perceived infringements of team B. It is an interesting experience to run the line at a well supported AIL game (Terenure for example)… Every single ruck (and I mean EVERY) supporters automatically shout “OFFSIDE REF”… There are some that the supporters get right (but you will be if you call them all) and there are many that are immaterial (for example a winger but the ball goes the other direction. The decisions for a referee are nuanced and multifaceted but the ordinary punter will never understand when their team doesn’t get what they feel is the rub of the green. Mack’s strength is also his weakness and he needs to ensure the public never see that again.