Always a Wasp

General Category => Wasps Rugby Discussion => Topic started by: WallyWasp on February 28, 2019, 11:30:41 AM

Title: Nic Berry
Post by: WallyWasp on February 28, 2019, 11:30:41 AM

I've only just twigged that the referee for the England v Italy Six Nations game is none other than former Wasps Scrum-Half Nic Berry (yes late to the party probably as all refs were announced ages ago).

I knew he had risen quickly through the Super Rugby ranks as a referee but not sure I had ever realised he was refereeing internationally. Really pleased to see though, given his enforced retirement from playing for us, as he was not only a great player but a really good guy with a good eye for the laws (obviously important as a referee).

Am very pro former players becoming referees. I think it gives them an edge over non-player refs as they potentially have a better understanding of flow and ebb to games as well as some of the more nitty-gritty technicalities on pitch. Equally I would imagine it makes them better at spotting those little niggly infringements that players make resulting in, one would hope, better discipline enforcement on pitch. Just an opinion mind.

Title: Re: Nic Berry
Post by: Trevs Big Tackle on February 28, 2019, 11:43:51 AM

He's Australian, apparently! I never twigged that when he played for us. Just assumed he was English - hence wondering how he could be reffing England!

Title: Re: Nic Berry
Post by: Rossm on February 28, 2019, 11:44:33 AM

Yes. Backs mostly seem to become referees and forwards become citing officers :)

Title: Re: Nic Berry
Post by: baldpaul101 on February 28, 2019, 11:57:17 AM

He reffed the France/Scots game last week. Did a decent job IMO.

The likes of him, Karl Dickson, Glen Jackson, Richard Haughton are the future of refereeing

Title: Re: Nic Berry
Post by: WallyWasp on February 28, 2019, 01:34:16 PM

Quote from: baldpaul101 on February 28, 2019, 11:57:17 AM

He reffed the France/Scots game last week. Did a decent job IMO.

The likes of him, Karl Dickson, Glen Jackson, Richard Haughton are the future of refereeing

I didn't get to watch that game so wasn't aware.

Yes you are spot on IMO, Karl Dickson has been doing great as has Glen Jackson. RH clearly can't be doing bad for himself reffing on the 7s stage, but I don't really get the chance to watch much 7s so can't comment on how good he is.

Great to see, and hope to see more (though without the enforced retirements preferably!)

Title: Re: Nic Berry
Post by: wasps on February 28, 2019, 09:45:04 PM

Quote from: WallyWasp on February 28, 2019, 01:34:16 PM

Quote from: baldpaul101 on February 28, 2019, 11:57:17 AM

He reffed the France/Scots game last week. Did a decent job IMO.

The likes of him, Karl Dickson, Glen Jackson, Richard Haughton are the future of refereeing

I didn't get to watch that game so wasn't aware.

Yes you are spot on IMO, Karl Dickson has been doing great as has Glen Jackson. RH clearly can't be doing bad for himself reffing on the 7s stage, but I don't really get the chance to watch much 7s so can't comment on how good he is.

Great to see, and hope to see more (though without the enforced retirements preferably!)

He's probably one of a few people who can keep up with play