I got bored yesterday of watching us just pass the ball the full length of the line, through literally every pair of hands, only for Griffin to have no option but a drop off pass to Talanoa (later Connor) who had to run back inside due to no space on the outside. No dummy runners or cut out passes, Just one pair of hands to the next (and at a very slow pace) We rarely give our winger a free run in to the line from 20 metres out like other teams can do.

Really struggling without Houghton as it all starts with him.

Strange how a couple of years ago, according to some on here, Houghton was the reason why we were losing games.

It was always a massive gamble having a squad with one specialist experienced hooker.

Shame we didn't sign O'Brien.

As good as he is he is not the be all and end all.
He would have no bearing on the slow passing from 1 wing to the other, the stupid penalties we needlessly give away, the poor ball retention and inability to complete a full set, the petulance of Fonua I could go on.
Yes his scoots from dummy half are good but i doubt any one would go with him and although he is a tackling machine he cannot cover every blade of grass.
Until we start competing and playing as a team with energy and enthusiasm and discover an attacking threat we are knackered with or without him.

They're only penalties if the referee decides that they are.

How many times does the ref give a penalty when we all think he shouldn't have, and how many times doesn't he give a penalty...... you get the drift.

Every tackle needs the ref to make a judgement, and they're getting it wrong too many times (for both teams).

It's the apparent randomness of a lot of it that frustrates everyone.

A lot of the time I'm on edge when we are defending because you can never tell when the ref will blow his whistle. For every clear cut penalty there is an apparently arbitrary decision. If it puts me on edge then what does it do to the players.

Spot on

Oh come on what a lame reply that is, let's not start blaming the refs for our lack of discipline. Rules are rules and our players should know not what they can and can't do.
The stupid laying on, the lifting of legs, stripping of balls. If we didn't stupidly do these things then the ref wouldn't be in a position to use his own interpretation.
So no they are penalties because they are penalties.
You get the drift.....

...If you think every penalty is a penalty, then so be it.

I didn't realise the ref was always right - I'll watch the game in a different light from now on.