r/rugbyunion • u/neverbeenstardust #1 Alia Bitonci Fan • 1d ago

Clara Munarini Appreciation Post

Just came off Ireland v Japan and she's a fantastic ref.

  • Most common call is "play on"
  • Breakdown reffing is not "grab the ball" or "lift the ball" it's "win the ball. If the tackled player is holding on, I'll blow my whistle. Otherwise, you don't win the ball until you win the ball"
  • Personally offended when she has to blow her whistle, but perfectly able to do it
  • "From my point of view, the scrum picture is fine" No other ref has ever said this
  • Only allowed one TMO intervention in the whole game
  • That one TMO intervention led to her overturning a yellow card
  • Japan go backwards 15+ meters in the scrum, Ireland ask for advantage. "No. Play on."
  • The whole game was flowing, safe, still full of monstrous tackles, and incredibly fun.
  • All the games she refs are like this.
  • Just embrace that she doesn't care enough about you to blow every penalty you want and she'll be the best ref you could ever ask for
85 Upvotes

92% Upvoted

8 comments sorted by

43

u/WallopyJoe 23h ago

Japan go backwards 15+ meters in the scrum, Ireland ask for advantage. "No. Play on."

This one might be my favourite. Going backwards in the scrum is not illegal. If you're being trucked backwards but are able to maintain your shape, it's on the other team to just fucking use it.

21

u/ZaniksBoyfriend Australia 23h ago

Mate you’re 100% right. If you’re getting dominated at the scrum but it’s still legal, let the gals and guys play.

3

u/DeusSpaghetti NSW Waratahs 8h ago

Watched the boys v wallabies game the other night and the green 9 would out the ball in, go to the back of the scrum and put his hands up for a penalty no matter what was happening.

2

u/monkeypaw_handjob Reds 22h ago

I've been really happy woth how scrums have gone mostly so far.

Even when the USA was getting dominated by England the were still scrummaging positively.

7

u/One-Aide2545 23h ago

I unfortunately did not see the game but, from your description, she sounds like a magnificent ref and what others should aspire to. 👏

7

u/PollenPartyPaulie Japan | Spears | Cardiff 1d ago

Agreed!

1

u/kmaclennan 16h ago

I thought she was very good, but she missed a few offsides at the ruck.

9

u/neverbeenstardust #1 Alia Bitonci Fan 16h ago

Let he who has never missed a few offsides at the ruck cast the first stone.