Honour for Palmade
Francis Palmade, the famous French referee from Limoges, on Tuesday during the High Performance Referees Conference at Lensbury received the IRB Referee Award for Distinguished Service 2009. He is the ninth recipient of the award. All nine have been Test referees who stayed involved in refereeing.
the first recipient was Ed Morrison, the most recent André Watson. Morrison, Derek Bevan and Watson refereed World Cup Finals.
Palmade refereed 17 Tests between 1973 and 1986 – in years when Test matches were less frequent than they are now. He also refereed finals of the French Championat in 1974 and 1978. He was a most determined and well organised referee, for example carrying five whistles and three watches.
Born in Saint-Feliu d’Avall on 11 January 1937, Palmade was more Catalan than French and spoke French with a Catalan accent. In Limoges he owned a telephone company. Once after reviewing a match in which from time he repeatedly pointed out mistakes he had made, he said: “I made many mistakes, but it does not matter. I am a human being. Sometimes I dial the wrong number.”
He had only two bits of English – OK and No problem. Once on a flight from Cape Town to Durban he got off at East London by mistake, not knowing where he was. He knew he had to go to the Holiday Inn and got into their transport to go to a hotel where his arrival was mystifying. Despite his inability to speak English he remained cheerful, patient and friendly in an environment where could not under stand or make himself understood.
Palmade’s last Test was Ireland-Scotland in 1986. After that he became an assessor, serving as such on the IRB’s panel from 1995 to 1999, playing a key role at the Rugby World Cup of 1999. He still assesses in France.
Paying tribute to Palmade, IRB Chairman Bernard Lapasset said: “Francis Palmade set the standard for contemporary Referees by combining a professional approach to preparation and performance, whilst maintaining a true regard for the spirit of Rugby.
“He refereed with composure, accuracy and honesty and encouraged players to participate in the same way. Rugby is honoured and privileged that Francis has served the Game with dedication and passion for over 40 years.”
In 1981 Danie Gerber scored a try against Ireland and Naas Botha went across and patted him on the back. Palmade soon put a stop to that. It was not the rugby way. Heaven knows what he would do in modern times.
The IRB Referee Award for Distinguished Service is the fifth of the 13 coveted IRB Awards in association with Emirates Airline to be presented in 2009.
In May, England captain Ollie Phillips was named IRB Sevens Player of the Year, while New Zealand captain Aaron Cruden was named IRB Junior Player of the Year in June. Australia’s Debby Hodgkinson scooped the IRB Women’s Personality of the Year in August and L’Aquila Rugby Club received the Spirit of Rugby award in October.
In a new format for the IRB Awards in association with Emirates Airline, winners will be named throughout the year, including in the announcement of the prestigious IRB Player, Coach and Team of the Year in November.
Previous Winners
2001 – Ed Morrison
2002 – Colin Hawke
2003 – Derek Bevan
2004 – Jim Fleming
2005 – Paddy O’Brien
2006 – Peter Marshall
2007 – Dick Byres
2008 – Andre Watson
