Welsh referee Craig Evans has been selected as an assistant referee for this year’s rugby World Cup in France.
Along with our partners at ACME whistles, we caught up with Craig to find out more about how he felt when he got the call to say he’d been selected to officiate his first ever World Cup.
“We found out nearly two years ago when we were at a camp in Dubai over the summer that there would be 18 months of selection,” he said.
“We therefore had the Summer Tests, Rugby Championship, Autumn Internationals and another Six Nations before we knew selection.
“In previous World Cup’s they’ve always done selection a couple of weeks after Six Nations so around the start of April.
“This time the management group decided to convene in Dubai in May which is the first time they’ve used that location as a ‘halfway point’ between the selector’s hemispheres.
“So, we were thinking ‘jeez – Six Nations is over, there’s nothing more we can do. We’ve got to sit on our hands and ponder for seven weeks.’
“It was tough. The first two weeks after Six Nations you don’t notice it because you’re coming down from the tournament, you’re busy and back into the domestic game, but when you hit April it dawns on you that World Cup selection is next month.
“The closer and closer it got, the more agitated and anxious I got. Things were going through my mind like ‘yeah – I think I’ve done enough, I think I did well in those games and made some good decisions.’ And then the other side of my brain was thinking ‘oh – I did get that one error in the Australia v England game’ and ‘I probably could have done better in that law exam we did.’
“You go through a mixture of emotions of thinking that you’re in the mix for the group and then thinking you’re out. It’s crazy.
“When they went to Dubai in May we knew they were there for three days. Before they came home, we all had an email saying that everyone would receive a call by midnight that Sunday – whether you’re going or not, every single person in the group will have a phone call.
“So, we were constantly looking at our phone or having it by our side, on loud and looking at it in case we missed a call.
“It got closer and closer to the weekend and I was refereeing my first URC knockout game between Leinster and Sharks on the Saturday and I kept wondering which way the decision about the World Cup selection was going to go.
“In my head I’m thinking ‘if it goes the way I want it to go and I’m heading to France then I’ll be on cloud nine and buzzing, but if I’m not in then I don’t know how that news is going to affect me.’
“In comparison, when I went to the Olympics and the Commonwealth Games, there were only 10 or 12 of us going so I knew that, unless we really messed up our performance during those tournaments, or more importantly off-field, then we were all sure of a place in those games.
“But 15s Rugby World Cup selection is totally different and when you know there are 12 or 13 of you going for just 7 AR spaces, it’s a different mindset because you don’t know where you stand. Nothing was given away and you had no idea.
“In fairness to all the lads, there was nothing much between us so the decision making in Dubai will have been difficult.”
When the call finally came, Evans was in a taxi in Dublin heading to his hotel.
“My phone rang and I just thought, ‘here we go’,” he said.
“The call went on for four or five minutes and luckily, I got the nod to go. I was absolutely buzzing. It was a weight off my shoulders and a rush of emotions.
“I never thought in my wildest dreams that within two years I could get into the group for France 2023. It wasn’t one of my KPIs or my focus because I didn’t think it was possible.
“All the ARs are around the same age so I think they’ll be looking at us for the 2027 World Cup. It’ll be a great learning experience for us all. I really hope in four years’ time I’m telling you I’m off to Australia with the whistle, rather than the flag.”
Asked if he’ll prepare any differently for the World Cup than any other tournament, Evans replies:
“I can’t really say what I’d feel when I’m there because I’ve not experienced a World Cup before, but I’ve got to where I am with my style and approach, so I don’t want to fix something that isn’t broken.
“If I do too much prep, my mindset will be different, and it could end up clouding my judgement. I referee my best when I don’t overcomplicate things, don’t overthink things and just ref with confidence and an open mind.
“So, I’ll stick to what I usually do.”
Evans jokes that he’s most looking forward to getting his hands on the kit when he arrives in France saying:
“Everyone loves new stash. I can’t wait for that.
“Jokes aside, immersing myself in what is going to be probably the biggest World Cup there has ever been is going to be epic.
“If I’m not involved on a certain day, I’ll be going to the fan village and getting amongst it. I want to enjoy it all and make the most of the whole experience!
“When I go home afterwards, I want to be able to say that I experienced all of it.”
For more information about ACME Whistles, visit www.acmewhistles.co.uk