Based on Rounds 1 to 26 we can’t expect consistency from the officials during the finals.
However, Tony Archer and his team have the opportunity to make history if they can avoid controversy, be consistent and have us all saying: “we didn’t notice the referees.”
The first thing the refs (and touchies) should do, is get together this week and agree on the basics:
1. Respect the laws of the game
If it’s in the rule book, police it and apply whatever penalty is needed to stamp out the common infringements we’ve seen all year.
2. Forward passes
There’s no excuses for the dozens of blatant forward passes that have been let go this season. Or have they been let go? Sometimes I think the touchies call out “forward” but they’re not heard and they just think they’ve been overruled. Why can’t we copy the round ball football and have the touchie put his flag up and wave it above his head?
3. Lying on tackled players
Surely the refs can count 1 – 2 – 3 and if the defenders are not off the tackled player, blow a penalty and don’t be afraid to use the sin bin for repeated infringements anywhere on the field and at any time during the game.
4. Knock ons
Far too many stoppages when the ball is dropped. If the ball clearly goes forward, scrum. However if it’s “line ball” or goes backwards, play on. This is one area that will even out over 80 minutes.
5. Stripping the ball
Too many penalties and therefore stoppages of play occur when a player loses the ball. Often it’s a loose carry. I expect this matter to be addressed in the rules review at the end of the year. Refs need to be 100% sure the ball has been ripped out with force, not merely nudged by the arm of a defender, in which case, it’s a loose carry.
6. Offsides
These rules apply to both attack and defence. To use one example in attack say, when a kick is put through, all attacking players have to have both feet behind the kicker. Why shouldn’t this apply to the defence as well?
Defending players inside the ten is the most abused rule in the book. When a team is attacking inside 10 metres from the try line, you often hear the refs call out “one foot behind the line”. Most defenders never do. This happens all the time on attacking plays; when penalties are awarded to the attacking side; and also on seven tackle re-starts. Blow the penalty, use the sin bin and please stamp out this blight on the game. If attacking players have to have both feet behind, why not the defending players. Maybe this rule needs amending too.
After Origin 1, everyone was saying what a great game it was – because of the referees being largely forgotten. The next month like this would be heaven. Let’s hope there’s no controversy and most importantly, the players play the game in the right spirit.
Wild Eagle
Guest
Half time in the Storm game. Storm have scored one try (incorrect call , was forward pass and bunker which can rule on forward passes along with captains call issue solved) Parra denied one try ruled knock on ( incorrect call ) I follow the Eagles but correct rulings here would be 3 tries to 0 and score of 16 nil to Parra. If Storm win thenit is the Ref's fault.
Patrick Logan
Roar Rookie
I agree they need to do a better job. But two refs plus two touchies does not equal twenty six players. It is suggested that the bunker plays a bigger role in helping referee the game because they have a wider vision of the game.
Nat
Roar Guru
You can use data mapping to track offside but not forward passes because of momentum. There needs to be a stationary point of reference. If a player is running at pace, it is nearly impossible for a ball to travel behind the point of release (like dropping a bottle from a moving car). However, that is what touch judges are there for. It comes down to interpretation, therefore, if the touchie let's it go the attacking teams are happy with it and the others scream blue murder - until it happens in reverse.
celtic bandaid
Guest
The technology is there. The bunker just won't use it. The Premier League can show a replay in a heartbeat and show whether a player is onside or not, drawing a whiteline at right angles to the sideline
Wild Eagle
Guest
The two most ridiculous forward passes in a GF that I can remember were against the Eagles against the Dogs and the Roosters. Anyone could see they were forward and the bunker would need one look to rule no try. If anyone hasn't watched their team lose the chance to contest a GF based on a ridiculous forward pass, just wait till it happens , I can tell you for sure you will never forget it. You speak of the rules being too grey Fish. Here is where I have sympathy for the bunker and the refs. We have no chance of constantly being right when a forward pass or offside is fractional or a hold down is a fraction of a second late. Cries of just follow the rules lack understanding. I say there is a good chance the winner will be determined by some poor decisions which can only be corrected by a captains call.
Cadfael
Roar Guru
They don't need to have eyes in the back of their head. There are two referees out there and two touchies. They should be doing a much better job than they are doing.
Adam
Roar Guru
The knock on issues is one that annoys continuously. There is such thing as knocked back and I don't know why play can't carry on?
Fish
Guest
The fact remains that if the bunker can rule on offside, they can rule on forward passes. The principle is the same. It never mattered whether your hands were facing backward or not years ago. It was part of a players skill set to take issues like momentum and wind into consideration. The rules are too grey. Who would be a ref? The scrutinisation is too intense. The season will be determined by the officiating. Whether it be their fault or personal view.
scrum
Roar Rookie
Well said. The article actuallly contradicts its intention. It virtually says the Refs have been consistent. All the fans say is we want consistency. Take the tackle on Slater. The refs ruled consistently on this- nobody gets sent off in league. On report is what happens. So even though the refs were consistent the fans complained. What fans want is consistency when it suits them and inconsistency on any occasion they want something different to happen. RL does not want its Refs to use judgement but unfortunately officiating is not black and white. By reducing the Refs ability to use judgement the old chestnut of unintended consequences comes into play.
Patrick Logan
Roar Rookie
First the referees have to have eyes in the back of their head, second they must have a flying cam on every single player to make sure they don't pick their nose during play. Next they need laser lines so any player that is inside the ten gets incinerated. They should also replace the refs with automated robots that can instantly make instant decisions based on their multiple choice program that runs on the 'how to make the fans happy' coding. Referees are human and cannot possibly keep track of all these things. All you can hope for is they do the best job they can do, and that should be good enough for you.
Rellum
Roar Guru
To address only the title, Only if League fans grow up and just accept the refs decision and move on. Look at your teams performance for why they are winning or loosing.
The Barry
Roar Guru
There's no chance. If the better side gets the penalty count then the refs are trying to get the NRL the result they want. If the lower ranked team does then the refs are keeping them in the game. If one team gets ahead in the penalty count then the refs are biased. If the counts are level the refs are applying get square penalties. If one team gets ahead on the scoreboard and then cynically give away penalties defending the line then the refs are trying to keep a team in the game. These are all tropes that come up after every game and every 50/50 call is held up as "proof" It almost doesn't matter what the refs do there will be refs fault galore and conspiracy theories running rampant.
Nodge
Guest
I gather from your last comment you would like the Storm players to do the right thing as the refs won't pull them up. This would be fantastic, but I would put the balance of my account on that not happening. How much better for the game would it be if the finals were all on a level playing field.