article_snippet: I learned from Derek Bevan, a great referee, and I think the secret is to be authoritative, firm and fair but not over-officious.
article_snippet: The crowding of referees is a particular concern, while there is growing pressure for video technology.
article_snippet: I certainly don’t think you can officiate at the top level in rugby without the technology that helps you get the key decisions right,’ Owens says.
article_snippet: That’s what we want to achieve across all sports.
article_snippet: But It’s definitely something I believe football would benefit from.
article_snippet: On occasions in Rugby it is over-used and we have to guard against that.
article_snippet: And football doesn’t have the natural stoppages that make it a bit easier to call on video technology in Rugby.
article_snippet: Football has more of a natural flow.
article_snippet: I think something like a captain’s challenge would be interesting; say one challenge per half per team for the decisions that really matter.
article_snippet: I’ve seen referees being pushed in grassroots games and so on.
article_snippet: But I think the laws of Rugby allow referees to deal with these kind of issues more effectively.
article_snippet: There are more breaks in Rugby that enable you to speak to the players.
article_snippet: This doesn’t happen in football, but if players knew that was a possibility
article_snippet: — it would lead to better behaviour on the field.