I've just watched boots 'n' all "the tries".

Saints six tries, five of them should have been chalked off for not playing the ball with the foot (you could argue at least two for no attempt). All the tries come fromwithin 10 metres of the line and that split second advantage gives the attacking team far too much of an advantage.

Then the HKR v crusaders game, no wonder Noble said some decisions went against them at crucial times, there must have been at least five tries scored from forward passes.

Please watch before commenting.

This one again?

Look at the Saints v Wigan game - both Wigan tries could have been chalked off for not playing the ball correctly, don't remember you moaning then - why do you think that is?

If they were incorrect then yes they should. Seriously watch those tries from the Salford game, and you'll see what I'm complaining about, particularly the first Graham try.

It's all well and good using it as a poor attempt to troll, but this is a problem within in the game that the powers that be should be taking a grip on.

It isn't just Saints, you see it in EVERY game from EVERY team. There's only one way to stop it while keeping the game speed optimal. Follow the Ockers and bring a second referee in.

Ski, it's not trolling.

It's really about the obsession with a quick play the ball. It's all well and good to want that, and I don't have a problem with it, but you then can't give the attacking side a further advantage by allowing them to roll the ball under the foot. You're correct that all teams are doing it to a certain degree.

What it produces are scoots from dummy half and one pass play tries from close to the line, not free flowing rugby.

Whether the two referee would sort it out I'm not 100% sure, but it doesn't seem to happen as much in Australia, or is that just because their players are taught how to play the ball correctly?

I think you'll find incorrect play the balls happen just as much in the NRL - it's just that St Helens don't play there so you don't bother picking the games apart to find fault.

I agree entirely. As a purist, I would like to see it stamped out, but there is only one way to do that and that is hammer penalties out.



Again, I agree. However, both of those are far more preferable to 10 second play the balls and lying on longer than I can hold it down in the bedroom.




We are taught how to play the ball correctly, just evolution has made us, for some reason, neglect it. That is down to coaches, referees, players and the heads of the sport.

Rolling the ball between the legs was always an Aussie trait and many people used to complain about new imports doing it over here.

IMO it's not worth the fuss worrying about, does it really make any difference to the game, you say it gives the attack an advantage but in real life terms I'm not so sure, lifting your leg does not take long.

Get a life! Most tries you could come up with something at the PTB but why the analysis of the saints game?

Interestingly No comments on Eastmonds second try, arguably a game breaker as the opposition scored in the next set.

I would have given that try, just as I would the Leeds try at Saints that would have taken them to a possible 12 - 0 lead.

Rogues, you could post this on any board most weeks.

Is this really an issue? Why does it have to touch the foot? As long as it's rolled backwards and not dropped, IMO it should be okay.

Quicker play the balls are better for the game.

Agreed, it happens at the majority of play the balls in every game. I do agree that it's something should be clamped down on though.

I think we should change the rule so that as long as the ball is rolled (not bounced) backwards and is either between or under the feet (not outside of either foot) and the player is stood up - it is seen as a legal play the ball.

I dont see what the issue is.

everytime saints are on the box i'll bet you sit there with your magnifying glass
checking out all the probable penalties against them.
wigan's answer to columbo...trouble is he had a glass eye..youve got two.

Well Scully seems to think it should be played with the foot.
[urlhttp://www.saintsrlfc.com/news/2533?[/url

What Scully is actually saying is:

"That old guy in the velor Ellgren tracksuit is old Rogues, quick, you better play the ball with your foot and ensure it's done really slowly, he [ihates[/i quick play the balls and will write your career off before it's started."

Rogues uncovered.

What a thought.

However I see no one has disagreed that the ball was not played with the foot in the lead up to those tries.

Thats because they probably weren't, just like 99% of play the balls in every other match.

Thems the rules as they stand - just think they are a bit of a waste of the paper they are printed on - just like feeding the scrum is still in the rule book.

And nobody is disagreeing because nobody can be d going back over the video - in every set of six I bet there is an "illegal" play the ball for every team so you arent being clever pointing it out.

I think there is probably a rule that says the ball should be fed in the middle of the tunnel too !!

Apparently there's some daft rule involving voluntary tackles as well. There should be a thread on this...

Yes but there only about 8 scrums per game, and around 300 play the balls.

I think if teams like the goons didn't hold down for so long; then the resulting play the balls would be done in less of a rush in an attempt to counter this and try to speed the play up.
If certain teams didn't slow the game down there would be no need to play the ball so quickly that the foot doesn't make contact.
Two sin binnings wasn't it in your game for slowing play down?

At the end of the day spoiling tactics suit wigan and quick plays suit us.

I'd be happy if eveyone was pinged for incorrect PTB's if also everyone guilty was pinged for half the squad piling on a player at each tackle and then taking 5 minutes to get off. Thats the way to free flowing rugby.