Rugby World Cup 2019

[Up the Guts]

I agree with many that the officiating at this rwc has been subpar with lots of inconsistencies. However, did anyone just watch the nrl grand final? Holy shit balls i will not cop any criticism from loig supporters about our officiating. Im pretty sure we haven't had a trainer on the field contact the ball then directly result in a scrum for their team in good field position that leads to points scored shortly after. Farce.

The 6 again screw up really showed the issues with two onfield refs when they make different rulings, if we were to move to two referees in Union we'd need a clear division of responsibilities. Cronk's 10 in the bin was yet again another case where something viewed in a TMO box in slow motion looks a lot worse than real time.

 

[Dan54]

I’d also like two on-field refs, the offside line and rucks are a mess. If we could have it being monitored independently that might clear things up.

And I just reading in a column a League writer saying it past time to get rid of the 2 refs system as it doesn't work. Seems not only Union supporters are pissed with refs as Angry Seahorse mentions.
To be fair I had a tradie doing some work at my place the other day, from Tasmania originally, we chatted sport for a while said he doesn't really follow much anymore used to be an AFL maniac but reckons the game has gone soft etc etc with umpires stuffing up the game. I assured him I think every sport seems to have followers that believe that and while TV hones in on anything it ain't gonna change.

 

[Up the Guts]

And I just reading in a column a League writer saying it past time to get rid of the 2 refs system as it doesn't work. Seems not only Union supporters are pissed with refs as Angry Seahorse mentions.
To be fair I had a tradie doing some work at my place the other day, from Tasmania originally, we chatted sport for a while said he doesn't really follow much anymore used to be an AFL maniac but reckons the game has gone soft etc etc with umpires stuffing up the game. I assured him I think every sport seems to have followers that believe that and while TV hones in on anything it ain't gonna change.

In some respects, I think two referees may be better suited to Union and League because there's so much going on around the ruck that you could have one referee focussed solely on it to clean it up.

 

[Silverado]

I agree with many that the officiating at this rwc has been subpar with lots of inconsistencies. However, did anyone just watch the nrl grand final? Holy shit balls i will not cop any criticism from loig supporters about our officiating. Im pretty sure we haven't had a trainer on the field contact the ball then directly result in a scrum for their team in good field position that leads to points scored shortly after. Farce.

Yes Leigh, saw the game and was a terrible example of using 2 refs. Too many Chiefs. Between I referee, one TMO and 2 linesman there's enough people to get the calls right. I agree with others that the Referees are being criticised for correctly ruling on bad laws. (Sea What?)

 

[TSR]

Out of interest, does anyone know if Ben Skeen is on a flat hourly rate or if he is paid per referral/involvement?

 

[AngrySeahorse]

Yes Leigh, saw the game and was a terrible example of using 2 refs. Too many Chiefs. Between I referee, one TMO and 2 linesman there's enough people to get the calls right. I agree with others that the Referees are being criticised for correctly ruling on bad laws. (Sea What?)

Sea-what? Seahorse!

Some of the posts on the previous pages have summed up a lot of my feelings on the officiating.

Im mixed about 2 refs being used. On one hand it sounds good to have one judge the offside line and the other to judge the breakdown. There is a lot for the referee to check at the breakdown then the offside line is added on top of that. Maybe two sets of eyes might be a good thing.

That being said surely we could just have the AR's check the offside line and communicate any offsides to the referee. No need for 2 referees then.

Btw Im mixed as well about this whole rwc. Im not hating it. Im enjoying a fair bit of the games and i like the fight a lot of the minnows are putting up. The overuse of the TMO and the range of interpretations especially to what is considered a high tackle is irritating me the most.

 

[molman]

Here's an interesting one. Typhoon might affect the Ireland game with Samoa in which case it should be a 0-0 draw as per tournament rules, but now it seems they would reschedule it (only knock out games were to be rescheduled). As an Ireland supporter I'm happy to see as I wouldn't want the pool outcome to be affected by weather (this pool being so close), but on the other hand does it not feel like they are making up tournament rules on the fly? I kind of wonder if they would reschedule if it was two tier 2 nations playing (or am I being overly cynical)

ref: https://www.irishtimes.com/sport/ru...ireland-samoa-match-if-typhoon-hits-1.4042429

 

[molman]

Btw Im mixed as well about this whole rwc. Im not hating it. Im enjoying a fair bit of the games and i like the fight a lot of the minnows are putting up. The overuse of the TMO and the range of interpretations especially to what is considered a high tackle is irritating me the most.

I'm likewise enjoying the ruggers (who doesn't like games on almost every day). At this stage the officiating hasn't really decided anything. My concern is come the knock out stage when your have Teir 1 v Teir 1 teams where the man in the middle (or more-so one in the box) may have a large impact on an outcome. I guess we will see (finger crossed not).

 

[zer0]

Here's an interesting one. Typhoon might affect the Ireland game with Samoa in which case it should be a 0-0 draw as per tournament rules, but now it seems they would reschedule it (only knock out games were to be rescheduled). As an Ireland supporter I'm happy to see as I wouldn't want the pool outcome to be affected by weather (this pool being so close), but on the other hand does it not feel like they are making up tournament rules on the fly? I kind of wonder if they would reschedule if it was two tier 2 nations playing (or am I being overly cynical)

I'm 10000% confident the IRU are working behind closed doors to have the match rescheduled. If we assume that Scotland beat Russia with a BP (very likely), a weather enforced 0-0 draw means a Scottish win over Japan would knock Ireland out of the competition.

Of course, if the pool had progressed as Ireland envisioned it would (e.g. they'd won all matches to date), then they'd probably have been quite happy to skip a game that'll be ripe for picking up injuries.

As it is, Scotland beating Japan to eliminate Ireland, while allowing Japan to progress as pool winner (either via a loosing BP or points differential), would absolutely be my preferred outcome.....

 

[Dan54]

I along with most get a little annoyed with interruptions by TMO etc, but if they weren't doing it and we had foul play or tries being disallowed because they weren't butting in would we be more happy? I think the comments about Refs/TMOs deciding matches in knockout games are probably just looking for real bad scenarios, because like it or not seems like they not actually making many mistakes at all. Same as Skeen as TMO, ok we can get annoyed to buggery hearing him , but let's hear where he has actually stopped game and then it was wrong in the laws of the game.

 

[molman]

I along with most get a little annoyed with interruptions by TMO etc, but if they weren't doing it and we had foul play or tries being disallowed because they weren't butting in would we be more happy? I think the comments about Refs/TMOs deciding matches in knockout games are probably just looking for real bad scenarios, because like it or not seems like they not actually making many mistakes at all. Same as Skeen as TMO, ok we can get annoyed to buggery hearing him , but let's hear where he has actually stopped game and then it was wrong in the laws of the game.

I agree. I don't think they have made any mistakes as per the laws (or at least an interpretation of such), but you'd have to admit the choice of what they let slide and not is also an element of their impact. On that front the consistency hasn't been entirely there for me, not when I feel like a core aspects of the game like the ruck seems a mess.

 

[molman]

I'm 10000% confident the IRU are working behind closed doors to have the match rescheduled.

I believe they are. I just found it interesting that the tournament rules seemed to be changing. I can't agree with your desired outcome, not way Scotland deserve to go through over Ireland at this stage

 

[Derpus]

I along with most get a little annoyed with interruptions by TMO etc, but if they weren't doing it and we had foul play or tries being disallowed because they weren't butting in would we be more happy? I think the comments about Refs/TMOs deciding matches in knockout games are probably just looking for real bad scenarios, because like it or not seems like they not actually making many mistakes at all. Same as Skeen as TMO, ok we can get annoyed to buggery hearing him , but let's hear where he has actually stopped game and then it was wrong in the laws of the game.

Inconsistently applied rules are the issue. It's not about technical accuracy.

I'm slowly coming to the opinion video reviews are detrimental to any sport.

 

[Strewthcobber]

Look at the number of citings v the number of actual red cards - it shows the onfield refs/TMO aren't getting it right around 50% of the time in the heat of the battle (or perhaps they are game managing around it). This doesn't even take into account the ones that are missed

 

[Dan54]

Look at the number of citings v the number of actual red cards - it shows the onfield refs/TMO aren't getting it right around 50% of the time in the heat of the battle (or perhaps they are game managing around it). This doesn't even take into account the ones that are missed

I agree Strewth so maybe the on field refs/TMOs are not wanting to cause a team to play with 14 men for whole game if they not sure, which funnily enough is what a lot of posters on here seem to want.
I think somehow that nothing much will change and Red cards etc are still going to be big part of game until the players go back to basically tackling like they used to, lower! And I know we think it unfair for whole team to be down 1 player for long amount of time, well after thinking on that perhaps just perhaps the coaches etc will have to change how they coach their players so that 15 players stay on field. And as for ruining the spectacle? Well how often have we seen teams play with 14 man for 20 minutes because of players in bin? And maybe for something like a offside when other team is going to score or a knockdown? Do we really think letting a red card player be replaced after 10 minutes so it is basically the same as a knockdown is going to be fair??

 

[molman]

I agree Strewth so maybe the on field refs/TMOs are not wanting to cause a team to play with 14 men for whole game..

I remember hearing Wayne Barnes interviewed where he was talking about most of the refs being big fans of the game (you'd have to be I think), they without a doubt know what impact cards have on the game so I have no doubt there might be a bias towards not wanting to dole out cards and penalties if they can.

 

[Braveheart81]

Interesting the conjecture around whether England (or France) would want to lose their last pool game to drop to second in the pool face Wales and then the winner of South Africa vs Ireland/Japan as their path to the final rather than Australia and then the All Blacks in the semi-final.

I think it is a pretty fraught strategy as trying to effectively tank a week before playing a knockout game which won't be a walkover is a great way to get embarrassed in that quarter final.

 

[Derpus]

Interesting the conjecture around whether England (or France) would want to lose their last pool game to drop to second in the pool face Wales and then the winner of South Africa vs Ireland/Japan as their path to the final rather than Australia and then the All Blacks in the semi-final.

I think it is a pretty fraught strategy as trying to effectively tank a week before playing a knockout game which won't be a walkover is a great way to get embarrassed in that quarter final.

Pretty poor sportmanship, too.

 

[Up the Guts]

I saw some mutterings of a potential typhoon warning for the Wales vs Fiji game, any truth to this or just excitable Wallaby fans?

 

[Dismal Pillock]

potential typhoon warning for the Wales vs Fiji game?

Big one is coming to Tokyo/Yokohama

If it inconveniences a tier 1 nation some bigwig will Make The Phone Call they'll just scrap the 0-0 tie rule and reschedule the match.

If it inconveniences a tier 2 country then fuck off home minnow c**ts IRB will be all I'm sorry but rules are rules