Roar Guru
Joined September 2009
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Whilst rugby's the game they play in heaven, live life to the full...heaven can wait...
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It has taken a while. I last wrote the article in 2012. However, it's occurred. Players sent from the field in general play may…
Rugby fans, how do you feel if your team has a player sent from the field for what would a significant offence? Other than…
For all my Kiwi compatriots out there, let me say it for you that there’s really not much chance of this happening. OK, now…
A fine was imposed on the Wallaroos during the recent Women’s Rugby World Cup match where the Aussie girls dared to cross the 10…
Gentleman; A wonderful Tri-Nations once again showcasing to the world the best three teams in world rugby reside south of the equatorial line around…
I’m sure many of us have been quite dismayed to read all the hullabaloo with Cooper’s possible defection to league. Is it a ploy…
The season is finished and although it's possibly a season better forgotten by Wallaby supporters, there were many positives to come from the Northern…
As a retired referee, I am perhaps more critical of the man with the whistle than some. However, when we expect them to be…
As a retired referee, I am perhaps more critical of the man with the whistle than some. However, when we expect them to now…
Ever wandered why the crowd roars when a team decides to go for touch rather than kick for goal? They want to see tries…
I agree Don, the Australian psyche is different to NZ thus, in my opinion, NZ coaches have not performed as expected in Australia.
Matty Taylor would make a great head coach for the Reds. He knows how to get the best from players and if not undermined, will turn around the Reds fortunes.
Possibly hard to get him back but I hope the QRU don’t have their rose coloured glasses on. Brad, it’s time to go!
Moment of truth: Thorn's job firmly on the line against Moana as Reds plot plan for ex-Wallabies boss
And time off from a try until the kick, with two minutes still the max
Just how much time is being lost in a game of rugby?
All good in theory, Doc…but you must consider what the players want!
Why a Super Rugby transfer window could save the Wallabies
In reality, the crackdown by referees (due to mothers complaining) is the real reason a bit of the ‘hardness’ has gone…which perhaps isn’t a bad thing…as long as referees use more of the common sense that they’re meant to be imbued with
'Those pies come with sauce?': Reds-Tahs' sledging and how it's fuelled by State of Origin
Interesting to read all the doom and gloom surrounding the Reds this season. A couple of trial matches, bit of Covid and all of a sudden…many have them as ‘cellar dwellers’.
I certainly wouldn’t be writing them off this early…is Nic Berry still refereeing? (Tongue in cheek).
Anyway, as Brett pointed out…nobodies lost a competition match at this stage… 😊
All the questions needing answers in Round 1 of Super Rugby Pacific
It is correct. You won’t get penalised for knocking it on. Intentionally knocking it on is a different ball game!
It's time rugby union changed the intentional knock-on rule
That’s fine JC, were all entitled to our opinions. I suppose you need to understand knock-on…not deliberate knock-on. As I said, a deliberate knock down from the half backs hand, or another player in that or another position is just that…a deliberate knock-on. I’m talking about the attempted intercepts that appear to have a player penalised or given a yellow if a try may have been scored.
As I said in the beginning, if a player is tardy enough to have his pass interfered with, then perhaps he needs to improve his passing skills or hold the ball.
It's time rugby union changed the intentional knock-on rule
No it doesn’t. Risk versus reward. Often a flat pass leads to a great try…but often an intercept as well. To disallow an intercept attempt due to the current enforcement is stupidity
It's time rugby union changed the intentional knock-on rule
It’s risk versus reward. Pass the ball late and you risk an intercept…if not, a try may be scored. Just because he didn’t quite gather it doesn’t mean he’s a villain…the opposite in fact. They need to be a little more ‘savvy’ with their passing 😊
It's time rugby union changed the intentional knock-on rule
It gets back to my original point, Scrum…they shouldn’t pass when an intercept is likely! I’m not calling a failed intercept an infringement, merely a knock on if not collected. It will change the attitude of teams.
It's time rugby union changed the intentional knock-on rule
No Carlos…’it’s occurred’…the replacement after send off 👍
It's time rugby union changed the intentional knock-on rule
You’re right. But those that don’t, and suffer or die…is that just their bad luck? What you are saying is to get vaccinated to protect those that are vulnerable, is ludicrous and criminal. Besides the stupidity of the comment, perhaps you should do some research before making dumb comments. Your comment is more for Facebook than the Roar.
Four Wallabies and Australian staffer contract COVID on Barbarians duty
It could be…but I think getting flights etc is an x factor and a value of 2 (weeks) was fair and may even be a little short. Let’s hope it’s not, however.
Four Wallabies and Australian staffer contract COVID on Barbarians duty
Sorry Bobby, couldn’t let your somewhat misguided comment go unchallenged. Couple of things you may not be aware of or fully understand. Firstly, I’ve seen some very poor refereeing at many levels, but very, very rarely at the top level. Sure, some days are better than others…I don’t know what you do for work, Bobby, but I’m sure you have better days than others. Also, I wonder if you are being watched at work 100% of the time, by more than one person who will then decide whether you keep your job the next week. I’m guessing you may have some sort of supervision, but not 100% of the time. In addition, if someone came up to you, before you commenced work, introduced themselves and said ‘hope you have a great day today’, what would your demeanour be towards them compared to another person at your work who just looks at you with a fairly benign grin and really has no interaction with you whatsoever. You may say ‘I would treat them exactly the same’…but is that human nature? Nic Berry is an outstanding referee who I’m sure would admit to having better days than others, however, if someone at your workplace took to social media to lament (read professionally vilify) something you did, on perhaps a day that wasn’t your finest, what would you do? Think about things in context Bobby. Nobody deserves that sort of treatment.
'Forever tarnished': Nic Berry reveals heavy toll of Rassie's 'character assassination'
I await your article with bated breath JW
You aren't imagining it... proof the Wallabies were hard done by
Or improve the attacking team’s skills so as the pass can’t be interfered with. Just sayin…
The laws of rugby and their loose connection with common sense
I have been a long time critic of this stupidity about intentional knock forward, generally when trying to intercept. The law came about when players used to slap the ball from the half back’s hands, generally at scrum or ruck time, which deserved a penalty and or yellow card.
I’m of the belief that if a player delays a pass which allows an opposition player to make contact, then he needs to work on his skills a bit more. When a ball comes towards you, it’s a natural reaction to attempt to catch it. Under current (poor) interpretation, if your lucky enough to catch the ball, regardless of how many juggling attempts you have, you may well be a hero. But drop it, and you’re penalised at best or in the bin for 10 mins at worst. From hero to villain in a nano second!
However, if you’re running in the same direction as the opposition players and interfere with the ball, it’s knock back, play on. Go figure. Anyway, a ridiculous law that needs considerable work to make it plausible. Any attempt to intercept in any motion other than down is play on, be it a knock on or re-gather by the attacking side.
But why should common sense prevail?
The laws of rugby and their loose connection with common sense
A step in the right direction to make the game more inclusive. Had never thought about that being an issue before…but it obviously is to a reasonably large number of followers
Blind leading the colour blind? World Rugby's surprise call on kit clashes for 2027 World Cup
Great read Jonty…out of the mouths of babes…so to speak hahaha…but really can’t argue with anything she’s said. No doubt all will be revealed tomorrow, including whether or not the Bocs read the roar 😂
All the Boks need to do to win is listen to my wife
Having been a referee and a member of a judiciary, my take on the incident (and I haven’t read all the comments here) was that the referees these days appear to want to find reasons to send blokes from the field, rather than using the judgement they are meant to have as test referees and make informed decisions. In this case, it appeared pretty clear that there was no malice or intent by Barrett to place a boot in Koroibete’s face. If the referee used the judgement we are paying these blokes to use, perhaps a penalty may have been a fairer outcome. Thank heavens the 20 minute rule applies (in this series at least) when these referees get it so wrong! For those who feel it needs to be a higher punishment as accident or not, it needs to be dealt with, I refer to the injury Michael Hooper received to the face thanks to a stray boot. Clearly an accident. To look at that in minute detail and go back for a penalty, sin bin or send off would have been a travesty. This is a sport where ‘accidents’ causing injury happen. We can only hope the referees start to use the (not so) common sense their supposed to be imbued with so as we get a fair contest where players who recklessly cause injury are dealt with appropriately and those where it’s clear that no malice / recklessness was apparent are allowed the benefit of the doubt.
'Not guilty': Why Jordie Barrett was cleared for Koroibete face kick
This Wallaby performance reminded me of ‘Blackadder’ from Monty Python fame. We’ll do it exactly the same as we have before with the same underperforming players…because they won’t think we’d do it that way again!!! For (Rugby) Heaven’s sake! That just will not work against a side as skilled and well drilled as the All Blacks. Not all players underperformed, but they were just not up to it.
I would also liken the Wallaby coach selection to our current Defence Force. They think they need a multi national company to lead up their big programs as no one from Australia is capable. They still don’t realise they just churn up millions of extra tax payer dollars to get something with many more layers of middle management to produce something which is mediocre at best. Probably an analogy only some on this site will understand.
Sorry. We need an Australian coach who understands the Australian psyche and can relate to the players individually and their individuality. Matty Taylor, hurry up and get the experience necessary (in the Australian selectors eyes) so you can have the necessary effect (as HEAD coach) on the Wallabies as you have had on ALL your previous charges. As much as I respect Dave Rennie and what he’s trying to achieve, I can only see him going down the same hole with similar results as Robbie Deans. Good luck.
NZ View: Wallabies' 'first half was a joke', 'own worst enemies', while Foster decision 'puzzling'
Give up Carlos. When you argue with stupidity, they’ll bring you down to their level and beat you with experience! 😔
Why the All Blacks and Wallabies will be thrilled to avoid South Africa in 2021
Hi PeterK. You’re right, the ref is empowered to take such action. I remember long ago, when I was refereeing a colts night match in Brisbane on a pretty dismal night. Having told both trainers to get their teams on the field, the visitors ran out and we waited a good three minutes before the home team made an appearance. It was wet, cold, windy, and generally miserable. At the two and a half minute mark, having been back to the shed and blown my whistle again, I told the visiting captain that I will handle this situation. When the home team appeared and lined up ready to take the kick off, I called the captain over and told him their late arrival on the field was extremely poor sportsmanship and that I was awarding a penalty to the visiting side. When he told me I couldn’t do that, I said ‘watch this’. From the ensuing lineout the visitors scored, and actually went on to win quite comfortably. Sure there was some discussions after the game, but nothing insurmountable. I considered their action, whether by the team itself or their coaching staff, extremely poor sportsmanship, considering the conditions.
Some tactics by teams should not be condoned and when a referee takes control of those situations, order and a fair contest is generally assured.
The Wrap: Springboks victory surge vindicates Erasmus, but at what cost?
Horses for courses RR. We have a different psyche to NZ well understood by Aussies
Moment of truth: Thorn's job firmly on the line against Moana as Reds plot plan for ex-Wallabies boss