Q&A with Rasta Rasivhenge
Rugby Fifteen caught up with Rasta Rasivhenge on Day 1 the Rugby Africa Men’s Sevens Olympic Qualifier held in Kempston Park, Johannesburg.
This promising referee shares his thoughts with Rugby 15 contributor, Shaun Liddle.
15:
Rasta first of all, thanks for having us for the interview
What is your opinion regarding the difference in officiating 7s and 15’s
Rasta:
Yeah there is a bit of a difference in refereeing 7s and 15s. The one code is faster than the other, the one has less time. We apply more empathy in a 15’s game where as in a 7s game we just work on the technical side of the game as the game is fast and is all about momentum and tries.
15:
What do you prefer 7s or 15s?
Rasta:
I prefer referring both codes because I enjoy both. I think one compliments the other but at the moment I’m concentration on the 7s just to get ready for the world series and the Olympics.
15:
Looking forward to the Olympics?
Rasta:
Yes, absolutely. If I’m injury free, I’ll be looking forward a great spectacle. It will be something monumental, so looking forward to the Olympics.
15:
Also see you signed with SARU until 2019?
Rasta:
Yes I was privileged. I came back from Australia and got a contract with SA Rugby. So I’m looking forward to giving back to the Country, giving hope to other individuals that are interested in the sport, and helping youngsters grow up and hopefully they will replace us because we are only caretakers of the whistle.
15:
Still living aboard or back home?
Rasta:
At the moment I’m just finding my feet. Just back here for the time being and then eventually I’ll be back full time. Just moving stuff and being all over the place.
15:
Will we be seeing more of Rasta in the 15s game as well?
Rasta:
Yeah, yeah, you will see a lot of me. I did the Currie Cup obviously, the whole campaign. With the world 7s series I’ll be traveling quite alot so there is a possibility I might or might not do Super Rugby. So pending on the number of tournaments I will do which is about 14 or 15 tournaments next season starting now in December. So looking forward to that challenge.
15:
Do you foresee any upsets in this Olympic qualifiers and the upcoming Olympics?
Rasta:
I mean in this qualifier, you know, anyone can take the game. It takes one game and you have lost it. Its once off and its winner takes all cost. In terms of the Olympics it’s going to be very interesting, it’s all about recovery and rest periods throughout the season before the Olympics in term of the coaches’ methodologies, and the team prepare well and gets their strategies right towards the Olympics will do well. So I foresee some surprises. At the same time teams want to build momentum for the Olympics, so it’s going to be very challenging as anyone can take the game.
15:
Some of the big names will probably end up in quarter finals and cup final?
Rasta :
Yes absolutely, I mean you’ll get a couple of big teams going to the cup quarter finals and semifinals but don’t under estimated the minnows as we call them but some of that teams are really good. You know, the gap has been mirrored so much so you can’t tell the difference between the two. I take you back to the world cup in 2009 were Wales won the world cup, you know, South Africa, New Zealand Australia were all knocked out in quarter finals and semis, anyone can take the game.
15:
Your personal favourite?
Rasta:
I don’t have any favorites you know, my personal favorite team at the moment is the referee team.
15:
Good answer. Thank you.
Rasta:
Thanks, Thanks a lot.
Interview by Shaun Liddle / Rugby 15
Photo: William Brown
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