Referees are quickly becoming the main manne in the game of rugby nowadays.
And I quite like their no-nonsense approach to ill-discipline on the pitch.
As for teams across the board, I reckon it leaves them with a bit of a bitter taste in their mouths.
Let’s start at home. Coach John Dobson’s Western Province have not been at their best behaviour this season.
Twice they received two yellow cards in two separate games earlier in the Currie Cup.
Then after not conceding a try in their match against the Golden Lions two weeks ago, it was kind of fitting that they conceded a penalty try almost straight from the kickoff in their 21-20 defeat to the Sharks this past weekend.
Still in the lead at the time, WP’s Steph de Witt was then sin-binned for an infringement at the breakdown and this allowed the Sharks to score a try they converted for the win.
It was a trend that was started by the Blue Bulls on Friday night already.
With new coach John Mitchell taking charge of his first game, it was expected that his side would easily get the better of the Pumas.
It wasn’t to be, as the men from Mpumalanga pulled off a stunning 51-15 win over their visitors.
While the Pumas outplayed Mitchell’s men, it was again ill-discipline that cost the Bulls big time.
They conceded a shocking three yellow cards - Kefentse Mahlo, Jano Venter and Ruben van Heerden all sent to the cooler.
Then there was Argentina against South Africa.
Yes, we know the Argies defend their home turf with all they have and if that means they have to intimidate their opponents to get the desired result, then that’s what they’ll do.
French referee Pascal Gauzere was in no mood for their shenanigans, though, and deserves praise for the way he handled the game.
Yes, the Boks didn’t back down from the challenge and had Andries Coetzee sin-binned after he tackled a try-scorer.
But the Pumas were vuilgat and lock Tomas Lavinini fully deserved his marching orders after bagging a second yellow in the game.
Juan Manuel Leguizamon was another player who spent 10 minutes out as Gauzere took control of the encounter.
In recent weeks, we’ve also seen referees not tolerating backchat from players and letting them know who is really in charge of the game.
Now only if this can spill over to our local club scene.
I was at a game yesterday where there were two on-field scuffles.
One lasted for what felt like two minutes, while the ref refused to get involved, instead blew his whistle from about 10 metres away.
While refs should allow the game to flow and not jump on their whistle every time they see a small punishable offence, I’m happy to see they are stamping their authority on the game at least at professional level.