Can the referee overrule my flag?
Rule- South Africa
- SA Rugby
- Club and schools rugby
- All ages
- Assistant referees
- Touch judges
- World Rugby laws
- 2026
- Match officials
Yes. Under the World Rugby laws the referee is in charge of the assistant referees and touch judges:
- Law 6.14: the referee may alter a decision after you have raised the flag for touch or touch-in-goal, or after an assistant referee has signalled foul play.
- Law 6.21: the referee may tell you what your duties are and may overrule your decisions.
- If a touch judge is unsatisfactory, the referee may ask for them to be replaced (by the reserve touch judge or reserve assistant referee if the match organiser has named one, Law 6.20).
- If the referee believes a touch judge is guilty of misconduct, the referee can send the touch judge off and report it to the match organiser.
If you and the other assistant referee disagree about a kick at goal, the referee makes the final decision.
Added 21 Oct 2026