Is it too early to start moaning about the refereeing?

[Renniks]

I can't see that being cited - it's really really not any worse than the 100 other times it happens in a game

Just the result much much worse

They should fix it generally though!

[Donny osmond]

In a sport with a sane disciplinary process, that would be Furlong missing at least the next game.

I'm close to being done with watching rugby, and while some of that might be an emotional reaction to just how shite scotland were this morning, its a feeling that's been building for a while. Player safety is a concern for absolutely no one, not refs, certainly not coaches, and governing bodies are criminally, wilfully, actively looking away. This has to stop, altho it had to stop when young professionals started dying, and it didnt.

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[bruce]

FFS let's not get carried away, there was feck all in that. Just unfortunate that Healy was lying on Watson's legs at the time.

[16th man]

I can't see that being cited - it's really really not any worse than the 100 other times it happens in a game

Just the result much much worse

They should fix it generally though!

Hence the sane comment. Obvious foul play, which demonstrably increases the risk of injuries, should be picked up and punished, not let go because lots of people do it. Until it starts leading to bans on a regular basis, players will keep on getting hurt by it.

[Digby]

I would say Reece Hodge ending the game of Fiji's best player with a shoulder to the head and getting away scott-free had something of an influence.

Puja

It didn't impact their woeful kicking game or set piece ineptness. And anyway, sometimes poop happens

Straw, meet man, time to get together and argue.

Really any progression of a conversation could be described as a straw man. So yes the ref could have done something differently about Hodge, he also could have wanted more players on their feet which wouldn't have helped Fiji

[Donny osmond]

FFS let's not get carried away, there was feck all in that. Just unfortunate that Healy was lying on Watson's legs at the time.

Exactly my point... currently its thought theres nothing in that its just unlucky. Anyone who cares about player safety would look at that and ask how can we stop it from happening, but rugby currently looks at it says unlucky.

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[Cameo]

I don't think the reffing has been too bad this tournament (Like Pearce was decent in the Wales game) but am reluctantly beginning to see why they might get rid of the jackal. Players are so good at it that it leads to a lot of dangerous rucking.

If you did get rid of it though you really need to enforce:
- both sides staying on their feet with shoulders above hips and no hands on the ground or grounded players
- ball carrier placing and letting go or at most one hand on it.

I think you would have to embrace some scrappiness to replace the jackal turnovers/pens

[Cameo]

At the moment refs seem to feel they have to let players fly in off their feet from any angle and only if a jackler can survive this along with some twisting from someone lying on the ground do they deserve a pen.

To be fair most of the jacklers have half their weight on the floor anyway

[Oakboy]

Does anybody know who actually writes the laws? Somebody must put into words what the game requires but does it come from a committee of world rugby and how are players, referees etc. represented?

Whoever does it is on a total hiding to nothing because referees apply only those laws that are the current flavour of the season. I think we need to see strict application of the laws for a period with guidelines then being issued where easing off is permissible. At present, it seems to be the other way around with slack/opiniated application being tightened occasionally in a few areas by guidelines.

[old-n-slo-2nd-row]

Even World Rugby are not amused .. “Following the usual review of matches, the match officials team recognise that performances over the opening weekend of Rugby World Cup 2019 were not consistently of the standards set by World Rugby and themselves, but World Rugby is confident of the highest standards of officiating moving forward.

“Elite match officials are required to make decisions in complex, high-pressure situations and there have been initial challenges with the use of technology and team communication, which have impacted decision-making. These are already being addressed by the team of 23 match officials to enhance consistency.

“Given this proactive approach, a strong team ethic and a superb support structure, World Rugby has every confidence in the team to ensure that Rugby World Cup 2019 delivers the highest levels of accurate, clear and consistent decision-making.”

[Mr Mwenda]

I'm becoming increasingly worried that the refs will start red carding dangerous tackles again when an England player does something (probably mild) at a key moment

[Digby]

Samoa setting the benchmark for a yellow today unless the IRB want to very quickly disagree

[Epaminondas Pules]

Samoa setting the benchmark for a yellow today unless the IRB want to very quickly disagree

I’d be surprised if it is not cited post game. In terms of mitigating factors it wasn’t a big dip in height.

[Digby]

Samoa setting the benchmark for a yellow today unless the IRB want to very quickly disagree

I’d be surprised if it is not cited post game. In terms of mitigating factors it wasn’t a big dip in height.

Which one?

[Epaminondas Pules]

Samoa setting the benchmark for a yellow today unless the IRB want to very quickly disagree

I’d be surprised if it is not cited post game. In terms of mitigating factors it wasn’t a big dip in height.

Which one?

Very true. Was thinking Lee-Lo predominantly.

[Puja]

Samoa setting the benchmark for a yellow today unless the IRB want to very quickly disagree

Richard Barrington's got to be fuming to see how quickly the high-tackle directive has been diluted. Both of those were absolute straight reds - the fact that Artemyev had bent knees was irrelevant as he didn't change height suddenly and both tackles were out of control headshots anyway.

Plus, if the IRB still gave a sh*t about concussion, Artemyev should've gone off for an HIA after both, rather than being given a boxer's assessment of a squirt of water and being asked if he was okay to continue.

Very, very poor form on both counts.

Puja

[Digby]

It remains impossible to know in advance how certain situations will be reffed, but that's only offside, rucks, mauls, scrums and tackles.

it's not all bad news though as there is consistency, no one gives a shit about straight feeds to lineouts and scrums

[Renniks]

It remains impossible to know in advance how certain situations will be reffed, but that's only offside, rucks, mauls, scrums and tackles.

it's not all bad news though as there is consistency, no one gives a shit about straight feeds to lineouts and scrums

Don't forget advantages, forward passes, groundings, obstructions, “use-it” calls, or kicking the ball away after the whistle

However, another consistency is not caring if the kicker takes 3 weeks to kick a penalty / conversion

[Digby]

It remains impossible to know in advance how certain situations will be reffed, but that's only offside, rucks, mauls, scrums and tackles.

it's not all bad news though as there is consistency, no one gives a shit about straight feeds to lineouts and scrums

Don't forget advantages, forward passes, groundings, obstructions, “use-it” calls, or kicking the ball away after the whistle

However, another consistency is not caring if the kicker takes 3 weeks to kick a penalty / conversion

or where a kick is taken from

[fivepointer]

Poor stuff from the officials. I've only just seen clips of the incidents in todays game but the Lee-Lo one in particular is a red all day long. Astonishing that the officials didnt reach the right conclusion after video reviews.
In real time its understandable things get missed. If you have the time, with all the angles played out in front of you, there really is no excuse for making a bad call.

[Oakboy]

Poor stuff from the officials. I've only just seen clips of the incidents in todays game but the Lee-Lo one in particular is a red all day long. Astonishing that the officials didnt reach the right conclusion after video reviews.
In real time its understandable things get missed. If you have the time, with all the angles played out in front of you, there really is no excuse for making a bad call.

5P, are you happy about these sorts of incidents being viewed in slow-motion? (I ask generally as I haven't seen this one.)

[fivepointer]

Yes, as long as the officials also see things in real time as well. Slo mo does make it look worse, but it does help identify exactly where the contact is. Real time does help to determine if there are mitigating factors.

[MrK]

The first one was a red

The second one should be a red and a lengthy ban.

[Digby]

If anyone gets too worried about the ref they can always pop over to follow a man that's all heart, the sort who wouldn't berate other rugby fans, and get back into what makes rugby special




You stay classy San Diego

[morepork]

Not at all. Garces today was abysmal. Sick to my stomach, have to feel for the saffers.

Are you OK now? Tummy not upset?