Blaming the refs since Moses was a boy

SMH Peter FitzsimonsThe most tedious thing in sport?There are so many contenders it looks like the slack pack up the back of a City to Surf. Look at them dawdling there, in their uniform greyness, as they prepare to torpor their way to the tunnel, dull their way to Double Bay, bore their way to Bondi. These contenders, include commentators uttering cliches like, "that was not the start they were looking for,"; players blowing kisses to their gods after they do something on the field; journos giving breathless accounts of "secret meetings", which come complete with photos. And let's not forget a dull rugby match, which turns on both sides manoeuvring for penalties; meaningless revenue-driven, one-day matches for the Australian cricket team in India that no one will remember in a week, and the Auckland Warriors, just generally.But the winner for MOST boring?I know it, and you know it.It has to be the ubiquitous, the endless, the ever-present, post-match press conference, whereby, on cue, the losing coach mutters dark epithets that all boil down to one thing: "We wuz robbed, and it was the ref wot done it."Is there a more predictable utterance in the history of the world, that is less likely to actually point to a genuine injustice?The most tedious thing in sport?There are so many contenders it looks like the slack pack up the back of a City to Surf. Look at them dawdling there, in their uniform greyness, as they prepare to torpor their way to the tunnel, dull their way to Double Bay, bore their way to Bondi. These contenders, include commentators uttering cliches like, "that was not the start they were looking for,"; players blowing kisses to their gods after they do something on the field; journos giving breathless accounts of "secret meetings", which come complete with photos. And let's not forget a dull rugby match, which turns on both sides manoeuvring for penalties; meaningless revenue-driven, one-day matches for the Australian cricket team in India that no one will remember in a week, and the Auckland Warriors, just generally.But the winner for MOST boring?I know it, and you know it.It has to be the ubiquitous, the endless, the ever-present, post-match press conference, whereby, on cue, the losing coach mutters dark epithets that all boil down to one thing: "We wuz robbed, and it was the ref wot done it."Is there a more predictable utterance in the history of the world, that is less likely to actually point to a genuine injustice?I say, no.I say, bring it in tight, you bozos, you inveterate criticisers of the referees, you endless whingers. There is something you need to be told, and I am just the man to tell you: SHUT THE RUCK UP! No one cares, OK?You lost. Deal with it, cop it on the chin, do whatever you have to do, but don't carry on in so tedious a manner, and ...And what?You think, in this instance, you actually have a genuine right to grievance because in this particular case, their winger really did put his foot out/knock the ball on/ score from an offside position/ fail to ground the ball?You want us to look closely, because it demonstrates beyond all doubt that the ref is an incompetent git at best, corrupt at worst, and either way part of a conspiracy backed by those in the bunker and an entire organisation to deny you and yours the victory you so richly deserved, after an entire season of such hard work?I will look at it, but on one condition only:That is, that you have a demonstrable track record of also criticising the referees when the decision favours you.Oh, come on. This is football. And ever since Christ played fullback for Jerusalem, and Pontius Pilate awarded a try to Damascus when everyone reckoned that Moses put his foot over the line, there have been decisions that could have gone either way. But read the Bethlehem Times. It's over. It's in the paper. Moses did score that try, and Damascus did win. And it has been that way ever since. You know it and I know it. We all know it. Line-ball decisions are taken all the time by the whistleblowers and, yes, it stands to reason that they will even occasionally get some of their decisions wrong.And so I ask again.When was the last time, coach, that you frothed at the mouth, carried on like a pork chop, and galloped around on your moral high horse, bashing the referees, the bunker and the entire organising body of the sport ... when a wrong decision in question favoured you?You what? You can't give an example of you even conceding that a wrong decision went your way, let alone getting angry about it?Well, how the hell can you muster such moral outrage now? You are asking us to believe that a man as expert as you, in a game that delivers as many contentious decisions as yours, never saw decisions favour you? Bullshit, and you know it. But you said nothing, then? Exactly.So spare us your frothing outrage now. You have no right to it. You may respectfully note that you think the ref might have got the decision wrong on this occasion, but that's it. Anything else is craven hypocrisy of the highest order.What is worse, it is TEDIOUS.

"But how long is he willing to give himself? If Smith is still starting by the end of 2027 and he is extended with intent to start in 2028, what will Da Silva do then?I would love to know if Ryles intent is for Da Silva to eventually be the starting…"

"I saw TDS try to pressure the kicker at times last night but not as consistent or forceful as Smith.
I love your analogy of how TDS read his own hype and thinks he can just play and be amazing. Where Smith is the opposite where he has had to grind…"

Replies

Dave September 13, 2017 at 10:30pm

He does have a point that no one says anything when the call gies their way and robs the other team.

And often if the other team complains the advantaged team calls them whingers but the same people cry foul when the call goes against them.

It doesn't fix the core issue of poor referee standards but i would like to see someone come out and say "yep that call went our way and it shouldnt have"
- The Ape > Dave September 13, 2017 at 10:38pm
  
  Yeah, it's a bit long winded but I thought that was the best point. If it goes in your favour it's all "you gotta take the good with the bad...it's about how you respond to these things".
Wizardssleeves official receipts September 13, 2017 at 10:46pm

This pirate looking flogger is a fucking idiot who's just hijacking what 20 other reporters have written this week . Absolute fuckwit ..
- Earl Grey > Wizardssleeves official receipts September 13, 2017 at 11:34pm
  
  I used to work retail in Neutral Bay, and this cunt was the most arrogant fuckwit in a sea of silver spoon-fed cumbuckets.
  
  He takes every chance to shit on RL, all the while ignoring the fact that RU is dying a slow death in Australia.
  
  He's the Buzz Rothfield of Rugby Union. More one eyed than Phil.
Parra fan on The Hill September 13, 2017 at 10:56pm

I can understand and accept the refs fecking up on field as any player due to the pace of the game or their position but I cant forgive the bunker fecking up when they have the leisure to view a play from 10 different angles.

That Peachy try the other day was complete shite. As was Uate's vs the Knights.
Raid September 13, 2017 at 11:17pm

Stick to Rugby Yawnion Fitzsimmons!
Snakey - Sack Dylan Brown September 13, 2017 at 11:21pm

Peter needs to take that cum rag off his head, the crust is getting in his eyes and upsetting his vision.

This reply was deleted.

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