After watching us men batter the Aussies over past few days, I was thinking to myself, would our video technology be more exciting or nerve wrecking if they didn't show any replays of the incident until after the decision. Just so nobody would have a clue what could have gone on?

I certainly agree that the vid ref replay should be reserved for those watching on TV and not for the crowd! players!! and officials to see at the game

Would this not lead to even more "incorrect" decisions from the likes of Bentham, Ganson etc?!!

The more transparency and accountability the better.....! There were several "shockers" last season for various teams where I would say the VR decision was not the one that 90% of players/spectators/viewers would have made.

What we have is fine Why change it as its worked well for 15 years and the envy of other sports

My thoughts exactly.

If a blind man gets his sight back, would he walk round with his eyes shut?

I wish they would only check the grounding when there is a question over whether the ball has actually been grounded or not. It spoils the tension when there is doubt about an incident in backplay and the VR then goes and looks at the grounding and inevitably then gives the try. The decision should only be known when either "TRY" or "NO TRY" appears on the screen.

I think he's just on about in the ground itself. The viewing public watching on Sky could still see the replays before the VR decision is made so it would be a clandestine, behind-closed-doors decision

No. When it happens at Catalans it's gash.

I actually like debating the decision with the people around me going off what I can see on the screen.

Agreed. I don't think the Championship sides appreciate the lack of a screen either. I actually think the big screen adds to the drama of a rugby league game. Although sadly these days they go to it far too often for my liking. They use it to make sure they aren't getting things wrong, when the idea is to make sure they get things right - if that makes any sense!

i can see what the topic starters geting on about............the ricky ponting finger wagging incident.

fortunately in rugby league the players accept the desicions..whether right or wrong...ie...very little dissent.

keep it..........makes a good debating point on the ground among the crowd ............i love making the decisions before they are known......and im normally wrong

This is the case in the Championship and tbh i prefer the replays on screen

bang on!!

It is the most annoying thing in the world knowing they have gone to video ref yet we don't have clue what's happening!!!

An interesting idea would be to allow the Captain to ask for a review similar to cricket. The ref gives a try without the screen, he gives a ball steal rather than a knock on etc etc.

Only problem is of course that the game could last years.

In the NFL (where the video review was first introduced, way before it came to RL), the head coach of each team is allowed 2 challenges to reviewable decisions. If they fail their challenge, they are charged a timeout, which is quite a good commodity in American Football. Only similar forfeit I could see in RL would be the loss of a substitution.

The NFL changed the system they first introduced because of time issues. At one time, there could be many reviews each game, slowing it down further than usual.

Also, in their game, it is the game referee that reviews the video, in a little booth on the touchline, rather than an additional official like we do.