CEOs Give Go-Ahead To Two Refs + Other Changes.

[Coxy]

I really hate how the NRL every year makes radical changes like this, and so often scrap it within a season. Video review of stripping as exhibit a!

 

[Flutterby]

Sounds like a crap idea to me, but I'll reserve my final judgement until I see it in action. They saw it actually worked pretty well in the U20s this year.

 

[Coxy]

Sounds like a crap idea to me, but I'll reserve my final judgement until I see it in action. They saw it actually worked pretty well in the U20s this year.

I'd be interested to know if they switched roles in that trial though, or if they did the whole games as controlling ref and "ruck ref".

 

[Flutterby]

Yeah I don't know if it worked exactly the same way in U20s as they are proposing here. You would think that if they had a system that worked well at one level of the game that would be the starting point for introducing to the top grade. But that would require a modicum of intelligence, which seems to be lacking in the majority of the NRL executives these days.

I am also concerned that once again Australia is going to play under different rules or conditions than the rest of the world - more confusion when it comes to international games.

 

[RodF]

So now when 4 refs (including touchies) can't make a decision we go to the video ref and waste more time. I think it will only slow the game up, but I hope I'm wrong. The best thing is it might bring through some good young refs to replace the current crop.

 

[Jeba]

I honestly reckon that come around 5, maybe 6, we'll say 6, that the two refs system will be scrapped. I know we haven't seen how it works yet and all that, but the differences of interpretations are going to affect games week-in-week-out IMO.

Well, after 5 games, I can say that the above statement by me was wrong!!

So far, working greatly IMO, games are faster, less wrestling and more grapple penalties.

Though I reckon the Cowboys and Manly don't like it so far because of the grapple penalties [icon_lol1.

 

[Kimlo]

I love it, it's been years since games have been so fast and entertaining, and how many stoppages besides scrums did we have in that broncos game? I think none, that is what fans want.
I know lots people give gallop crap, but honestly credit where credit is due, Gallop and the NRL have defintely done the right thing here, 3 thumbs up from me.

 

[The Brizz]

I love it, it's been years since games have been so fast and entertaining, and how many stoppages besides scrums did we have in that broncos game?

17 for penalties. Although by no means am I being a critic though, we will see some high counts until teams realise they can't get away with as much and will adjust or suffer accordingly, I think down the track we will see less penalties allowing for a faster hopefully more expansive game.

 

[Flutterby]

I love it, it's been years since games have been so fast and entertaining, and how many stoppages besides scrums did we have in that broncos game?

17 for penalties.

And 1 for the streaker icon_smile

I think it has worked well so far also, personally I have noticed referees less with 2 of them out there than when there was only one.

 

[Kimlo]

Well do penalties slow the game down? I think with any new changing to the system a bit of new penalties come through, IMO by round 5-10 the pentalies will be a lot less and the result will probably be even better.

 

[Nashy]

I do worry for when we get one ref who is a constant useless prick (Hayne) playing with a fairly decent ref (Archer) to see how they both see different parts of the game.

 

[Flutterby]

I think the plan is as much as possible to have a 'senior/experienced' ref working with a 'rookie/junior' ref and keep the refs in "teams" so that they tend to work with the same ref as much as possible and therefore develop a good rapport and good working relationship.

Also agree the penalty counts might have been a bit higher this round, but that will reduce when players work out they aren't going to get away with things they used to anymore.

 

[guppy]

I think the plan is as much as possible to have a 'senior/experienced' ref working with a 'rookie/junior' ref and keep the refs in "teams" so that they tend to work with the same ref as much as possible and therefore develop a good rapport and good working relationship.

I thought the same thing, but then I wondered about semi finals time where they will most likely choose to have the four most experienced refs involved.

He has a point.

Imagine Steven Clarke in this position! Jesus. He wouldn't be able to deal with the fact that he could get his stink all over a game he was refereeing.

 

[gUt]

I think the 2 refs thing is going well.

 

[Coxy]

I agree. Has seemed perfectly smooth and seamless to me so far. No noticeable issues with different interpretations I've seen either.

Only person bitching is Des Hasler, whose team got flogged.....

 

[Dave]

Typical Manly - it's never their fault!

Manly played without any discipline and were rightly penalised for it. The 2 refs seem to be going really well, at one stage in the Titan's game today both were on the same side of the ruck but in the first few weeks that is to be expected surely. One of the best things to come out of it is that we are seeing new young refs bought into the game which is great. The games certainly look to be quicker and there seems to be fewer bodies in and around the ruck which can only be good for the game.

 

[Coxy]

One thing that was noticeable as well was when there was a quick turnover (lost ball, intercept etc) and the other team picked it up and ran back, because there was already a ref in position there was instantly a good 10m. Not like sometimes when the first tackle the ref is still getting back onside so the defence can stand 6 or 7m back and thus stifle the next play.

Things like that are good.

Plus the second ref being used at kickoffs as an in goal judge. Excellent stuff.

 

[Russo]

I liked the concept, some teething problems for sure but the penalty count will come down as players realise they have to now clear that ruck area quicker.
The one query I did have was that in our game it seemed initially that the senior ref was the only one allowed to be the controlling ref for the first 20 minutes or so with the younger ref having to sprint into the 2nd position all the time. This did change after a while with them then sharing the load but it was just interesting to note.