Par
Gael Arcuset
Published on
Nov. 22 2024 at 8:02 p.m
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“I collected his whistle, his boxes, his watch and his jersey. Well, it was a little tight, but I made do with it…” Tomy Rodriguez smiles. The pillar of US Bazas (Gironde) lived a curious experienceSunday November 17, 2024, during the reception in Soustons (Landes), in Federal B.
It was supposed to be a championship match like any other… Except that the player had to replace the referee at short notice after the latter was injured. “Apparently, a breakdown,” slips the rugby player.
The referee snaps. Who replaces him?
50e minute of play. In Castagnolles, the lair of Bazas, the pressure is at its peak. Locals and visitors are then back-to-back. A point difference to the advantage of the Landais. Tension on the pitch in a battle of daggers drawn… And, at that moment, the man with the whistle gets injured. Impossible for him to continue to supervise the game. He must leave the field.
Who to replace him? “Everyone looks at each other; the presidents, the coaches… We had to find someone to finish the match,” laughs Tomy Rodriguez. He followed refereeing training from the age of under 14.
This season, in addition to playing, he also has a referee license. Quite simply the man for the job.
A funny coincidence for Tomy Rodriguez
Spontaneously, the young man, aged 25, takes responsibilityconsults his coach before swapping his player outfit for that of a referee. Quite a role change…Even though the referee had just whistled a penalty against him.
It's funny. I resume the game, taking the place of the referee, with a penalty whistled against me
So here is the Bazadais pillar who finds himself refereeing his teammates and his opponents; the very ones to whom he had not given any gifts a few seconds earlier and with whom he had exchanged a few pleasantries. “Switch, it's complicatedhe admits. But, in the end, I managed to take on this responsibility. »
Thanks from the club
On the side of US Bazas, obviously, we salute the dedication of Tomy Rodriguez, who “perfectly embodies the values of the club”: “Thanks to his composure, his sportsmanship and his commitment to the game, the match was able to continue in the best conditions This exceptional situation reminds us of the importance and essential role of referees in our sport. Their commitment and passion allow everyone to play and vibrate on the field every weekend. their often difficult but essential work !”
A balancing act that Tomy Rodriguez handled perfectly. All while remaining right in his boots. There is no question, for the person concerned, of favoring one or the other team.
Emergency referee does no favors for US Bazas
At the end of the match, while Bazas was trailing, the emergency referee, also an educator within the club, even refuses two tries to his own for forwards. “I prefer to be fair in what I do, even when I referee friends,” he emphasizes. They challenged my decisions a little but quickly stopped. » No preferential treatment. And, at the final trill, a defeat (23-28) for the Ciel et Blanc.
After the match? Well, Tomy Rodriguez found his teammates in the locker room; like every weekend.
A return to normal after a strange half-hour break. “I’m happy to have experienced this moment,” admits Bazadais. But I hope it doesn't happen every week because I prefer to play! »
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