3. Ref watch
It’s always interesting to see the approach of the referees to the early rounds, and what parts of the lawbook they choose to emphasise. This year it is already apparent that attacking sides certainly have the advantage when it comes to ruck time. There is certainly much more leniency given to arriving players going off their feet- I have barely seen a penalty awarded for this so far. Here is just one example that caught my eye from Friday night, check out the ruck from this kick-off:
The Cheetahs player has killed the ball there and given the arriving Reds player no chance at even forming a ruck. In a previous season that would have probably been a penalty, but not this year it seems.
This law was once very much in vogue, but now seems to be largely ignored. I don’t mind the attacking side being given the benefit of the doubt, but there are times it is going a little bit too far.
But the refs are largely doing a good job, and the early rounds have been free of controversy. Well done, guys.
