If all refs are like Nortern Bloke the game will never change because they think they are right and everybody else is wrong.

How right you are Wantawin. The simple fact is not only are the refs are all like Northernbloke. The whole of the RFL are like him. They think they are right and everyone else is wrong, that is the why the sport is in the situation it is in.

Never said the ref guessed at all! Question for you, how do you decide if it was ripped or dropped, what do the refs look for?
As for time in the tackle, hope you realise it’s not a set time, it’s different for every tackle, that’s decided by the ref.
Interested what you expect from MO, you will never get the perfect game it’s impossible, all you need is the same for both sides.
I actually find it quite interesting that the two decisions that could have changed the game have not even been mentioned.
What are your suggestions to improve the situation? Not being argumentative just interested genuinely how folk think it can be changed?

In your example, you said the ref would make a decision without definitive evidence. I call that guessing. As I mentioned before, this a biased decision because it is based on assumptions that may not be valid.



I expect like many fans I would like a consistent application of the rules and generally feel good refereeing tends not to overly influence or disrupt the game. Basically, if you haven't noticed the ref then I tend to think they have probably done a good job. However, what you are describing sounds like an overly complicated process where the ref takes into account the state of the game (e.g. who is dominating) when making decisions and also adjusts his application of the rules constantly (e.g. you said every tackle can be allowed for different time). That sounds like a recipe for inconsistency.

Well said jbuzza. Refs are not gods they are there to do a job by consistently following the rules set down by the rfl

At the start of this season the referees started to award penalties for 'Moving off the mark at the play of the ball'. This was across the game. It was as if this was chosen to be the penalty.
Suddenly that penalty gets dropped and 'Obstruction' becomes the fashion. It used to be 'The flop' which they focused on. That rarely gets penalized these days..
All we want is some consistency. No picking and choosing which rules you apply and which you turn a blind eye to.

I totally agree with you Boswick.

Again not trying to start an argument just keep a decent scussion going. Can’t disagree with the emphasis being put on certain areas of the game at certain times then ignored. A prime example was first couple of games of 8s our game v Widnes not one offside call.
On the tackle it is different though and it is a pretty consistent area, and if you listen to the way the ref calls the tackle count tells you if it’s rewarding the attacker or defender, as it should. And it’s not who is dominating the game it’s who dominates the tackle.
Bit like surrender tackle defenders are allowed more time rightly so!

You are mixing up different aspects of the discussion. I would rather get back to specifics so I can understand the way refs are thinking. Earlier you said:



Examples you gave of what happens when a team is dominating the game were:





Is this really the case, do you have any evidence of referees being asked to do this sort of thing (as part of referees training or guidance for example) and why is this the case ? Personally, I suspect making decisions based on the game situation and potentially invalid assumptions would lead to inconsistent and biased decisions ? I think many fans get frustrated by inconsistent decisions.

On the separate matter of the individual tackle, my understanding is that when a tackle is called dominant the defender is allowed extra time before the attacker must be released, but you said that:



So why is it different every time and how are refs instructed to decide ? Again, this is going to lead to inconsistency. One thing I personally find unacceptable (but rarely penalised) is the defender who holds down the tackled player while looking over his shoulder to see if his defensive line is set before releasing. In my view, if you have time to look around you have had time enough to release.