Kaplan will bury his whistle at the end of the season
Throughout its history, the Bradby has frequently delivered on the three fundamental components of any celebrated sporting rivalry: heart-stopping action, raucous support and intense competition. This year it threw another titillating element into this explosive mix: Jonathan Kaplan.
During his brief visit to Sri Lanka, Kaplan, arguably world’s most recognizable and experienced rugby referee, having been in charge of over a record 50 rugby Test matches, was immersed neck-deep in the good and bad of the country’s rugby. Besides controlling the Bradby’s first leg, he was also called upon to offer solutions to the current stalemate which exists in the school rugby arena between its referees and governing body.
He emerged from the experience impressed with the deep passion the nation harbours for rugby and enthused about its prospects for growth.
“It’s premature to comment on the state of Sri Lankan rugby because my exposure to it is quite limited. But from my discussions with many people I’m aware that it is a growing sport. Sure there are some issues at moment but the national side has gotten promoted and is now playing against the likes of Japan,” he said, adding, “There is quite a lot of enthusiasm so it will not be as difficult to promote the
Jonathan Kaplan at a referees’ forum in Colombo. - Pic by Amila Gamage
sport.”
This is not Kaplan’s first encounter with Asian rugby, having made multiple trips to the region to officiate tournaments in Singapore, Hong Kong, Dubai and Malaysia. Drawing from these visits he explains, “My experience from Rugby Union has shown me that there are only a few teams who can win a rugby world cup. Teams are often competing just for the joy of making the World Cup.
“For a smaller rugby country like Sri Lanka, the goals need to be realistic and very specific in respect of achievable targets.”
Reflecting on his own illustrious career, the 46-year-old South African said that he had played personal witness to the game’s metamorphosis over his 20-plus years at the upper echelons of international rugby.
“During the early part of my career the ball was in play for 24 minutes, now the ball is in play for 44 minutes so the amount of fitness required for the modern game is infinitely more than what was required for the olden game,” he said.
“Law changes are also pushing the game in a direction where it is more spectator-friendly, more consumer-friendly.”
Kaplan began his refereeing career while still a teenager, opting to carry the whistle rather than the rugger ball after his mother suggested the move subsequent to him sustaining an on-field injury while playing for St. David Linksfield High School in Johannesburg.
From there his desire to excel at his chosen trade rapidly propelled him toward his Test debut in 1986, when he blew in a game between Namibia and Zimbabwe in Harare which the former clinched 19-18.
He holds a slew of honours, among which stands a history-making outing in the 2009 six nations clash between Scotland and Ireland where he notched up a record 50th Test appearance. The following year, Kaplan also controlled his 17th game involving the All Blacks thereby surpassing Welsh referee Derek Bevan’s mark of 16 from 1986 to 1999.
Kaplan has also figured prominently in rugby’s showpiece event, being put in charge of his first World Cup game in 1999 before becoming a regular fixture in 2003 and 2007.
“My first Tri-Nations will always be special. It was between New Zealand and Australia in Wellington because it was the first time I felt really tested in a Test match and it was against two teams at the height of their powers with exceptional players,” Kaplan divulged.
The Bledisloe Cup match played in 2000, saw the Aussies scrape through to a 24-23 win after skipper John Eales thumped over a penalty in the game’s dying moments, prompting home fans to hurl bottles and cans at Kaplan as he departed the grounds
Incidents like these though, do not frazzle the veteran ref, who attributes his naturally calm demeanour as a characteristic which has aided his progress as a referee. Additionally, he lists three more prerequisites he regards as vital for any referee looking to making it in the game.
“My refereeing philosophy is flair, judgment and nerve. Judgment is his ability to understand the law and make a decision in black and white. Flair is his ability to add colour to a picture, using management skills and non-verbal skills, to make a game a beautiful game for the public and not just one where it’s penalty, penalty, knock-on, penalty.
“Nerve is something you can’t teach somebody. That is the ingredient whereby you ignore what the crowd thinks or what players on the field might be thinking and just referee the game as it unfolds,” he states.
Although he tries not to get too attached to many of the big name internationals over whom he officiates, Kaplan does not remain wholly aloof when dealing with them off the field. Over the years he has forged friendships with players he has respected for their skills and professionalism such as Martin Johnson, Todd Blackadder, Richie McCaw, and Victor Matfield.
After years in the limelight, Kaplan is set to bid adieu to international rugby at the end of this season. However, he will continue controlling domestic games and contributing to South African rugby.
Whatever his plans for the future, at the moment he still has his sights firmly set on finishing his famed career on a strong note.
“I’m still focused on my final year and capturing all the moments along my journey. When my journey finishes at the end of October there will be a lot of opportunities available to me and I will look at which one suits me best.”
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