Enjoyment in Rugby is linked to three other great principles of the game:


Continuity and Contest - Safety, Fairness and Consistency.


It is the aim of the team in possession to maintain continuity by denying the opposition the ball and, by skilful means to advance (carrying, passing, kicking) and score points.


Rugby is a sport which involves running and physical contact. It is very important that players play the game in accordance with the laws of the game and be mindful of the safety of themselves and others.


As one team attempts to maintain continuity of possession, the opposing team strives to contest for possession. Contest and continuity are achieved through fairness and equity.
In applying the law, the good referee will observe play and analyse the players' actions against the word of the laws. You might then decide to interfere with your whistle and to stop the game at any stage.

To stop the continuity of play, you need to consider the principles of the game and to consider what laws will help you to make the best possible decision.


Consistency
On a given weekend, spectators, coaches and players will want to see a consistent application of the law by the referee in a particular match. It seems a fair request, yet there are circumstances in an 80-minute game of Rugby that will not allow the referee to maintain the same standard throughout the entire match. Players and teams might change their playing styles and attitudes, and therefore the referee needs to observe the play and adapt his/her refereeing accordingly.

The following weekend, another referee is expected to be consistent - not only in that match, but also in relation to the weekend before. Furthermore, the referee him/herself might expect consistency of performance with what he/she did last week.
However, some people say that the concept of consistency is a myth. You should examine the desire for consistency in the application of law and question whether consistency is as important as refereeing the game that's in front of you.

Follow up:

The five quotes which follow will help you to understand the range of discussion involved with the concept of consistency.


A. It is probably not reasonable to expect total consistency from referees, given the pace at which the game is played and the confusion which surrounds so many aspects of the game.


B. There is great concern over the consistency of the officials and we demand quick action to improve the consistency of officiating. This includes dismissal of officials, education of officials in the differences the way the game is played and to make sure that officials conduct themselves in a consistent manner.


C. There are dramatic differences in interpretations by referees. Teams have had to adjust their game plans in numerous areas to counter the impact of a new breed of unpredictable whistleblowers. The major problem facing world Rugby is inconsistent refereeing. Rugby as a world-quality sport depends on having the same refereeing interpretations around the world.


D. There is no doubt that differences in refereeing can be attributed to the fact that all the referees and touch judges come from different countries. Of course I would like to see a greater degree of consistency in decision-making, but I think it is a great challenge for players to try and adjust to different styles every week. Of course the main thing is to win the game, but that's not going to happen if the players keep giving the referee no alternative but to penalise them. If this continues throughout a game it is hardly the officials' fault. They are doing their jobs.


E. Consistency is all you can ask for. They'll make mistakes and maybe we as players are wrong some of the time and the referee has got it right but consistency is the word. If all the referees are refereeing the same way you know what to expect.


Source: The IRB by email