The rugby

[Time Waster]

If might be interesting to see affiliations with each poster. Come to think about it you can probably tell. We was robbed! He put his arm out it wasn't an infringement! How did Ford get away with that?

I'm these modem days off replays these decisions have become more of an injustice. Once you'd accept the on field ref decisions then argue them later in the pub or on the way home. Now you argue and moan about it and don't accept it because you can now see what you want to see in those borderline cases and don't or can't accept it. Are these affecting the game and your enjoyment of it? Do you question decisions more now? I'm curious.

Personally I just move on and enjoy the rest of the game. Fun to discuss these matters as I've learnt a lot about the details of the rules from pundits and you guys discussing things too. It's just the pundits can be more impartial now they've retired. To a point.

 

[Dogtrousers]

Do you question decisions more now? I'm curious.

TBH I think reffing is better and more professional at international level than it has ever been. Especially considering now they have to deal with the super strict head contact rules. It's a long time since I saw a genuinely dodgy decision. Although the fact that I no longer understand most of the laws helps

 

[AndyRM]

I enjoy rugby just as much as I did when I started watching and playing as a child, although it's an almost completely different game these days.

I like a fair few of the new innovations, though I think that bunker upgrade decisions need to be made way quicker.

 

[Beebo]

I also thought the Welsh guy at the end was very unlucky to be yellow carded for instinctively sticking a hand out.

It’s a straight yellow, no questions asked. They all know the laws.
The interception rule is there to stop deliberate cynical disruptions. If you can’t make a genuine effort to catch it then you shouldn’t go for it.

 

[HobbesOnTour]

Cheats

He never bottled it, he cheated.

The referee's on field decision was that it was held up.
The TMO needed to be 100% certain that the ball was grounded by a Scottish hand to overturn that. Not 95% sure. Not 99% sure.
He wasn't so the referee's on-field decision stands.

They are the laws.

Are they perfect? No.

To accuse people of cheating is abuse.

The problem of abuse in rugby is growing. Reference was made above to a campaign attributed to Erasmus, a video posted online that led to horrendous abuse of officials across social media. The videos still appear.
The former English Captain has stepped away from the team for a season (at least) to protect the mental health of himself and his family.
Wayne Barnes whose last game was the World Cup Final has spoken of the abuse he and his family received.
Johnny Sexton received a paltry and ineffective ban last season for abusing the ref team after a European Cup game.

This may be a quiet backwater of the internet but abuse is abuse and we can be part of the solution or part of the problem.

Respect has always been part and parcel of Rugby.

 

[matticus]

He never bottled it, he cheated. He said the ball was held up and stuck with that despite seeing the ball on the ground in the tv replays.

The weaselly way he, the TMO and others are trying to interpret rules and who said what, when and the particular meaning of the words in that order cannot hide that most people watching what he watched said "try".

Golly. Such passion. Most admirable, and I hope you find a constructive outlet for it 👍

 

[Dogtrousers]

most people watching what he watched said "try".

Well, most people supporting Scotland did.

Most of those supporting France said "held up"

Neutrals said "hmmm. Could have been grounded. Could have been held up. Could have been lost forward. Oh, is that the end? Time to put the kettle on." Maybe not most neutrals, but at least one.

 

[Joey Shabadoo]

Well, most people supporting Scotland did.

Most of those supporting France said "held up"

Neutrals said "hmmm. Could have been grounded. Could have been held up. Could have been lost forward. Oh, is that the end? Time to put the kettle on." Maybe not most neutrals, but at least one.

French opinions automatically don't count on the grounds that they're French.

 

[Joey Shabadoo]

I don't think there's another sport that's so clearly influenced by the refs. The variance on what is allowed can be startling - some refs turn a blind eye to coming in from the side, others don't mind encroachment. I've seen line outs where the ball goes three yards to the side with not a murmur. Offside is certainly pick n mix.

They've got better at sharing the decision making on major calls but individual refs certainly influence games through their own personal interpretations of the rules.

 

[matticus]

I don't think there's another sport that's so clearly influenced by the refs

Have you heard of gymnastics?

 

[Time Waster]

French opinions automatically don't count on the grounds that they're French.

Same applies to Scottish, on the grounds they're Scottish. Right?

Reminds me of my brief holiday in the far west of Scotland in late 2002, early 2003. The local Scots, actually great lads who were boozing while on duty at the firestation next door, were mostly wearing all blacks shirts. Innocently I asked one if he had new Zealand ancestry. He said no, but they were the only ones who can beat the English so we're supporting them. I asked about supporting the Scottish team and they said that they had no chance so we'll stick with the all blacks. I chuckled at that and it was the start of my interest in rugby union!

If the Scottish are to have any chance I the future the surely need to stop relying on decisions going their way and make / take their own chances. If you're fretting over one decision and not how they can take their chances then you're kind of missing something here. There's talent in Scottish team, talent that can open defences. They should not be relying on decisions that could go one way or the other and be valid at that!

 

[Alex321]

Have you heard of gymnastics?

Or any other sport that includes an "artistic" element, such as figure skating, skiing/snowboarding park events, BMX "tricks" events, etc.

 

[Time Waster]

Personally I think the way they add more and more players to the back of the ruck is more of a problem than inconsistent ref decisions. I think refs are a lot better these days. I was certain that I saw a player pick the ball up beyond the last leg of the guy at the end of the line look around then put it back and joined the end! Seriously what is going on there?

 

[Time Waster]

Or any other sport that includes an "artistic" element, such as figure skating, skiing/snowboarding park events, BMX "tricks" events, etc.

Or round ball football perhaps?

 

[matticus]

Personally I think the way they add more and more players to the back of the ruck is more of a problem than inconsistent ref decisions. I think refs are a lot better these days. I was certain that I saw a player pick the ball up beyond the last leg of the guy at the end of the line look around then put it back and joined the end! Seriously what is going on there?

This is the caterpillar business yes? I thgouth there was chat here at the end of the WOrld Cup about RFU etc changing the rules on this?