Karl Dickson: Top referees aerobically fitter than players, says ex-scrum-half
Last updated on .From the section Rugby Union

Top rugby union referees are aerobically fitter than players, says former Harlequins scrum-half turned official Karl Dickson.
Dickson retired in May to become a full-time professional referee, and is now part of the Rugby Football Union's 10-person elite panel.
"It's a different type of fitness, but definitely in terms of running around I am fitter as a referee," Dickson, 35, told BBC Radio 5 live.
"The referees' fitness is phenomenal."
Dickson added: "As a player you are very narrow-visioned in what you are looking at, while as a referee you have to see everything.
"It's a lot harder than you think, but I would always encourage someone to give it a go."

Dickson played 167 times for Harlequins, and toured South Africa with England in 2012.
Having started refereeing almost four years ago, Dickson now hopes to take charge of a Premiership fixture this season, with international rugby his end goal.
"You want to strive to be the best you can, and ultimately I want to referee Premiership rugby and on the international stage," he continued.
"This year I hope to have done a Premiership game, but it all depends how I perform in the Championship games and whatever games I have going forwards. It's a performance business."
Meanwhile, the new law amendments introduced this season will make the sport easier to understand and a better spectacle, according to England's leading official Wayne Barnes.
A series of law trials have been adopted by the northern hemisphere, including at the scrum and breakdown.
"We are trying to make the game more understandable, and make sure the ball is in play more," said Barnes.
"It's a technical game, but if we can make it a little bit simpler, that is going to be better for the game."
Barnes disagrees that the law changes will limit the contest for the ball at the scrum and ruck, and says they have been approved by the world's top coaches.
"They were involved in the discussions about what needed changing," Barnes added. "They are the ones that are pushing this, it is very much coach-driven. We are more than happy to give them a go.
"These are a year trial and we will see what happens in a year."
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That might be true, but it's also true that top rugby players are much easier to referee. They're (on average) far more intelligent, the immediate penalty for dissent (i.e. losing 10 yards) is more effective and the governing bodies take meaningful action to ensure respect for the ref, unlike the FA.
Combination of fitness and brain work, so physical and cerebral.
Like the control that rugby refs take compared to football refs,, back chat, surrounding the ref etc etc halted pronto, and if continued is punished.
I'm embarrassed at the way football players and fans treat officials and also the reluctance to of the authorities to make simple reforms and follow Rugby's example.
I find Nigel Owen's story particularly inspiring.
Ah yes, the RL trolls turned up again.
If league is so good why do over 4 times as many people play union in 5 times as many clubs, than league across England alone?
If it gets players to try reffing, and improves their respect for refs (which it should - even reffing tiny tots is harder than you think!), good.
Player runs straight into wall (and does so as he knows he will keep the ball), play stops as he's held, wriggles on ground, gets up, rolls ball under legs, play restarts. Repeat times 300.
Having said that i have to disagree on the scrums, the new adaptaions have improved that area already.
Tefs always go to the TMO now, as they know they will be found out. Make a decision and stick to it.
Ots a myth that the ball is in play longer in league.
Look at football. It went from tackles below waist height being ok, to no tackles from behind and if Platini has his way no tackles at all. Hence kissball.
Keep the physicality but punish those that break the rules severely.
Refs have a different criteria, closer to that of a middle distance runner. If ref and player swapped round they would each struggle with the others requirements.
If you want "fitter" players, the game needs to be less focused on bulk. But that wouldn't make it Rugby Union, and bulk appeals those who play and watch.
All team games are won by the best benders of the rules, RU, League, certainly football, basketball, cricket etc etc, bizarre comment.
Another bizarre HYS from the BBC really. Just different types of fitness for refs & same for different sports. Aren't there more interesting debates to be had?