Eoghan Cross on what it takes to be a ref and the evolution of that role

Nearly a decade into his role as referee and Eoghan Cross has risen through the ranks to become a recognised name on the rugby circuit.

From being named Munster Rugby Referee of the Year in 2020, to being appointed his first tier one test match in November’s Autum Internationals between South Africa and Japan, Eoghan, who describes himself as “an under thinker” has proven himself to be a strong referee with a cool head.

Along with our partners at ACME Whistles, we sat down with Eoghan to find out what it takes to be a good referee.

“I think you need to be yourself on the pitch. You can't be something else because it comes across to everyone as not being genuine or authentic and it may give the wrong impression. Ultimately, the most important thing a referee needs to be is fair.

“If you're fair with people, they will understand. Players and coaches don't have to agree with every decision we make but if we're fair in what we're doing, I think that encourages the best outcomes.

“It’s also important to be vulnerable and I think people shy away from the word vulnerable because they think it's a weakness. But in terms of vulnerable, what I mean is, if you get something wrong, it's okay to admit that you might have got it wrong.

“You shouldn’t dwell on things, and you shouldn’t be defensive, because when we get defensive, it almost looks like we're trying to protect something. I think if we're vulnerable and we say, I might have got that one wrong, I think there's an element of acceptance there and everyone gets on with the game. So, fairness and vulnerability would be the two key things that I would say will help you in your progression as a referee.”

Of the law changes over the last few years and whether they support referees or not, Eoghan brings a fresh perspective, saying: “There's a few ways to look at this because, I know some people, myself included, would think that the scrum is trying to be depowered in the game and there's no option for a scrum at free kicks.

“Now, there's an element of trying to keep the game moving and also having a contest in all the areas. So, I think the real one for me that's been a massively positive move is the 50-22, where teams are rewarded for executing a good kick from their own half and they get possession back.

“It also means that teams have to defend with players in the backfield, so that there potentially is more space avoid for teams to run the ball more, so I think that's been a really positive move.

“There's so many law changes now, though. The only thing I'm worried about is that every competition is different. So it’s hard for us to have to adapt between competitions, whether it's done on the pitch by the referee or we send it for an off-field review, for example.

“And you look at Super Rugby where they're doing massive changes to try and make the game a better spectacle, which is fair too. I just worry for spectators that it's hard to follow. And we're always moving and we're always reactive, which is good in one sense because we're trying to make the game better when we realise something's not quite working out.

“But I just feel sometimes we might be moving the bar too much that people at home don't understand and think, ‘well, I watched that match and this was the result, but there's a different outcome here’ or ‘something different happens in this game’ and then it becomes a bit confusing.”

With law changes aimed at speeding up the game for a better fan experience as well as improving player safety, Cross believes that consistency is key to keep all rugby fans engaged, saying: “If we were consistent across the board and agreed that we're all going to try to ref the game in a consistent way and this is the approach we're going to take across competitions, both Northern and Southern hemisphere, across all the leagues in Europe, I think that would be the best way to try to help fans to understand any changes.

“It would also be good to do some work ahead of any law changes, such as video examples going out to the public so that they can understand long before the laws are implemented in the game an explanation of what's changed.

“And I think there is work to be done with broadcasters and pundits to try and upskill and have them as knowledgeable on the laws as possible too because they play a key part in the narrative of the game when they're commentating on this and explaining what's happening. I think between all three, that would be a massively helpful tool to try get that communication with the spectators.”

Cross is the epitome of calm and as a self-proclaimed under-thinker finds staying grounded under pressure something that comes fairly naturally to him.

“I'm very good at not thinking too much about things - maybe too much at home, my partner would say. But my approach is that it's a game of rugby, it's team A versus team B and you take out everything else because you don't want to ref the occasion, you want to ref the match and that's the only approach to take really.

“You'd be surprised when the whistle gets blown, whether you're an assistant referee or reffing yourself, you naturally just get focused on what's happening in front of you. And obviously you're aware of when the pressure is coming on, when the crowd's getting louder, but ultimately you’ve still got to stay in that moment, stay present and referee what's in front of you and not get bogged down in what's happening anywhere else or decisions you've made previously.

“My approach is it's just another game of rugby. It might sound cliche or it might sound demeaning to the game, but it's just a matter of being literal because the game is happening and I don't mind who the teams are, what the scoreboard is, I just have to ref what's in front of me and give the game what it needs and that's the simple approach I like to keep.”

He took that approach during a particular career highlight while officiating South Africa v Japan in last year’s Autumn Internationals at Wembley.

“It was my first tier one test match,” he said.

“The whole thing was amazing - you're refereeing World Cup champions who play fantastic rugby and getting to do it in Wembley where there's that much rugby played, the whole experience was just really enjoyable, despite getting a bit of imposter syndrome, but I took my approach of seeing it as just another game of rugby and tried to enjoy it.

“It was a proud moment because you put in so much hard work and it's great to get the recognition by being put into a game of that magnitude that you're trusted.”

For more information on refereeing and to get started, visit www.acmewhistles.co.uk