I’ve noticed the couple of new NRL rule changes have some very grey areas in them and it appears from my perspective that the onfield referees can change the momentum and actual results of games by either the misuse of them or inconsistencies. In last nights game between the Broncos and Cowboys ( as well as all the games played so far this season) there were numerous penalties for the incorrect playing of the ball which not only gave teams good field positions but also incorrectly allowed tries to be scored and prevented others. Jonathon Thurston whilst close to the Broncos try line incorrectly played the ball (didn’t touch his foot) and the Cowboys scored a late try which almost won them the game.
Also the rule of allowing 1 player to strip the ball from the opposition only milli seconds after 1 tackler drops off in the tackle is ridiculous as the line is way too fine to get the correct result. Both these New Rules can drastically change results in games and some teams and players will undoubtedly get favoured results from certain referees.
Replies
So these rules will be no different to things like:
I could go on.
The point is, most rules can be influenced by the referees interpretation. The two you have mentioned are no different.
I agree in part MeelK, however with the 2 new rules I’ve mentioned both are just a little more difficult to monitor and hence the ‘grey area’.The play the ball has to touch the players foot and in today’s speed of the game and desire for teams to play the ball quicker it’s much harder (supposedly) for the referee to be always on the spot especially when the attacking team is close to the oppositions try line ( Jonathon Thurston last night) against the Broncos. The second rule is even harder to monitor given the ‘milli seconds’ when defender 1 drops off the tackle to allow defender 2 to strip the ball. In the case of ‘forward passes’, ‘controlling the ball’ ‘10 metres’ and ‘dominant tackles’ 9 times out of 10 they’re very obvious and in some instances they should use the ‘bunker’ if it involves the difference between a try and no try but obviously the referees don’t always do that but in the case of playing the ball which happens much more frequently the referees aren’t going to use the ‘bunker’ as the game would be way too slow. In my opinion they shouldn’t have brought these New Rules into the game as it’s just going to favour certain players and teams and can make a huge difference in results. The only other area which is extremely difficult but yet obvious to monitor is ‘forward passes’ which have allowed teams to score tries and win games becasue the referees have failed to use the ‘bunker’ which was initially brought into the game to correct obvious errors.
You never did show much understanding of the game - did you Monts?
Refs always fukk things up for the first 4 to 5 rounds then go back to simply fukking things up as per normal.
Nothing has changed since Noah ran the Ark into the mountain and Joshua played half for the Philistines.
You can't fix a broken axle by pumping up the tyre.
Mushy can you clarify what you actually mean please?
Sorry mate - I forgot in depth replies can be a bit difficult for some.
What I meant to say was:
Refs always fukk things up for the first 4 to 5 rounds then go back to simply fukking things up as per normal.
Nothing has changed since Noah ran the Ark into the mountain and Joshua played half for the Philistines.
Hope that helps mate.
That’s much better Mushy, thanks mate!
My pleasure son - you know I am here to help everyone.
Yep you are right Browny. Let's throw the sin bin in that same basket. Looks like the refs have a quota to fill each week with the sin bin. Another one just now in the Storm-Tigers game.