This is how games are manipulated. It only takes 20 minutes at high intensity to dictate how the game will end. If there is a decidedly one-sided momentum favour in the firat quarter, any later adjustments (typically even-ups in late game) will make very little difference. The effect is not only physical, but also mental, because the heads have already dropped.
It is clear to me that it is frustrating Reynolds as well, which was shown in his questioning the refereeing regarding "playing by the rules" in our game against the Knights, where a blatant obstruction was cleared for a try.
The Tamou slander of the ref was evidence of players seeing this too. It's just going beyond fairness, and the rule changes are leading to undermining the integrity of the game.
Honestly, just watching Cheese move off the mark every play in this game was enough to tell me how the referees are either corrupt or incapable of being consistent and fair in matches. The cynical teams will continue to push their limits and if they get away with it for whatever reason, the effect simply snowballs from there.