Cody Kuxmann is a Referee at the London Society Of Rugby Football Union Referees, while studying International Relations at Richmond, The American International University in London. He lives in Richmond Upon Thames but hails from Green Bay, Wisconsin. He officiates Rugby Union and Rugby League, and refereed his first international League test – the Canada vs Jamaica rugby match – last weekend.
TORONTO, CANADA – Last week I was asked about my plans were for the weekend that just passed. My response of “Nothing,” prompted the most unexpected and welcomed question, “Do you want to go to Toronto to referee the Canada vs Jamaica match?” After taking a quick moment to assess (that’s what us referees do), I realized the source was serious and I emphatically mustered, “Absolutely!” And off to Canada I went…
The excitement of the match was amazing. The jitters I had going in started on Wednesday. It is the type of game that I’ve been waiting for since I started reffing.
Not going to lie… the pressure involved in the game was intense. Then again I live for that pressure, so what does it matter, right? Yes, but there were still some nerves that didn’t fully comply.
Within an eye-blink, it was over… If you asked on the sidelines after how it went, I’d say I was content with the game – wasn’t my best – but certainly did not go badly. There were calls that could have gone either way but in the end the game’s over and there is no going back to undo calls that should have gone a different way.
Looking back, there were three calls that could have made or broken the game. There was a pass leading to a Jamaican try that had the Canadian team up in arms… there was a try that may have been held up… and there was a restart that may have been taken too quickly. All three led to a scoring tries. I haven’t yet viewed the match video, however, and in my mind all three were taken within the laws of the game. Once I have the video I’ll give you what I feel are the correct calls. Hopefully, there won’t be too much humble pie to eat – I’m trying to stay fit.
Finally, as a referee you never want to be able to say that a team won or lost by your hand. But honestly, I can’t say that from those three calls the game was not won or lost. Unfortunately, that’s the way that the game played out. With more experience could these three have been avoided? I’d say probably one… But that’s what it’s all about – getting better and striving for perfection.
What are your thoughts? Canada vs Jamaica was my biggest sports opportunity to date – what was yours?
Please feel free to comment and pass this around to your mates and you can see updates on our Facebook Rugby Wrap Up Page (please “Like” it) and follow us on Twitter @RugbyWrapUp.
