Just watched the Storm v Warriors and there was a 30 minute period in the second half without a penalty. There was probably about ten incidents that Im sure would have resulted in a penalty in SL. 50/50 calls for holding down, possible high tackles, dubious ptbs just dont result in penalties in the NRL and its a far better game for it. Its much harder for the team in posession to get repeat sets and dominate a game in the way we see most weeks in SL. Until we stop being so picky our game wont improve.

Can't disagree with any of that. Of course they're blessed with dual refereeing systems over there which helps the game, and lets the officials control less of the game to a more effective degree.

Problem is you haven't 7 referees over here that are good enough, let alone 14! And IMO of course, you've refs that are too intent on becoming part of the game and the attention of the fans, rather than simply officiating it (Steve Ganston naturally springs to mind).

we have one of the only sporting leagues where the Refs are more famous than most of the players. Their Egos are too big, and the Media enhance this too much. They Ruin the game at times. It should not be about them. Eddie and Stevo dont help, they need to shut up about the refs even if the decision is wrong. Bet followers of the premier league cant name the majority of the refs they have.

also refs should not be allowed to run the line once they are a qualified and established ref.

Spot on about refs egos, and also that Eddie and Stevo don't help. In fact, their problem ( and Sky's) is also ego. They seem to believe that they have an amusing double act which we all enjoy.

So ignoring the rules and encouraging teams to offend because they know that the referees will let them get away with it is the way forward.

I see.

Why? If they are good enough and fit enough to do both then why not?

Not only are our SL referees poor, but what infuriuates me most is the inconsistency they show, its as if each one is allowed to make his own rules up and that then comes down to who he is refereeing.

One area that hacks me off is the quick tap rule on the 20m re-start, over the weekend we have seen them held up until the defending side is 'on side' and then last night we saw Wigan take a quick tap on the 20m while Cats were all over the place, this is either the referee making his own rules or allowing certain teams to gat away with things others cannot. I prefer the quick tap top be allowed, like last night, its up to the defence to sort THEMSELVES out and not the referees job to do it for them.

I thought the tap rule was that the ref needed to be in position rather than the defence?

You see the ref in position shouting 'hod it, hold it' regularly. Could be a case of trying the two officials for those not fit enough to get back.

Avtually its a case yet again of fans not knowing or understanding the laws or policies and applying their own limited knowledge to what is going on. The ref will not allow a quick restart if not all of the attacking team are on side. He will not allow a quick restart if a ball other than the one that has just gone dead is used and he will not allow a quick restart if he has not crossed the 20 metre line. Also let me clarify something further for you, standing in front of the 30 at a 20 metre restart and then tackling the player over or on it does not constitute off side as you also heard the crowd calling for it yesterday at Wigan.

What really hacks me off is fans who believe the rubbish they are fed by Eddie and Stevo and repeat it as fact. Fans who have a limited knowledge or understanding of the laws of the game and use that in an attempt to review the officials performance. Would they like me to review their work performance when I almost certainly know as little about what they do for a living as they do about refereeing an RL game? I doubt it very much.

Good morning Steve.

Yet when Silverwood reffed a match over there, (can't remember which match it was) he never game a pen for 30mins plus. It was like he'd been told not to.
The inconsitency is shocking at times.

Australia v NZ I think friendly? He gave about 3 pen all game.

the last Anzac test...2penalties,both coming in the 2nd half live.nrlstats.com/matches/nrl/match6871.html

the last Anzac test...2penalties,both coming in the 2nd half live.nrlstats.com/matches/nrl/match6871.html

The referee is most likely talking to the defensive line, instructing them to hold before the ball is brought back into play with the foot.

Spot on.

The days of Robin Whitfield and the like blowing for a penalty just so they could have a rest are well behind us, thankfully.

The real problem is inconsistency, if a ref wants to let the game flow then play that way all the way through for both sides, if they are going to be pedantic then play that way all the way through for both sides. But I want to see them consistent week in week out, as changing their interpretation from game to game leads to the suspicion that they are being influenced by the playing styles of different sides. Anyone with half a brain knows all sides want quick ptb in possession and slow ptb when defending, but most sides are better at one than the other, or focus more on one than the other, so the interpretation matters not just within in a game, but from week to week. If a ref decides to hammer slowing tactics one week and then is more lenient with same tactics the following week it looks like he's showing bias between teams.

Not playing the ball with the foot is something that needs to be clamped down on as it happens numerous times in every game. I can recall a team going an entire set of six without playing the ball correctly once during a game this year.

If I remember correctly, the player only needs to attempt to make a play at the ball rather than actually using his foot.