I don't see anything in that passage that can be applied to forward passes.

There is no movement of a player after contact with the ball that can negate a knock on. If the player is moving towards the opposition line when he touches the ball (without also catching it before it hits the ground or an opposing player) it's almost certain to be a knock on, albeit not certain to be given as one.

In commentary they will often remark 'but it's gone backwards, he's got that one wrong' when in actual fact he's made the correct call as it's the player's forward momentum that has overtaken the ball.

I think you're over analysing it. Surely a knock on is only a knock on if it goes forward. If its about imparting some forward momentum on a ball even if it continues in a backwards direction than any time the ball hits the floor its a knock on, even if it lands 5m behind the 'offending' player

That's how I understand it. From a players touch if that balls moves forward, regardless of previous motion, it's a knock-on. Sounds right to me.

Correct they basically are also potential knock ons. A player moving forward towards the opposition's goal-line upon touching a ball in flight with any part of either arm (from shoulder to finger-tip) are liable to be called a knock on unless they regain the ball before it touches the floor or touches an opposing player - hence the desperate attempt (before he slipped) by Briers on Saturday to try to regain possession) knowing he was liable to be adjudged to have knocked on. Irrespective of which direction the ball was heading - he knew because he was facing the Leeds line and thrusting his hands forward he'd be pinged - except on this occassion, as happens in every game every week and probably to every team every week, he got a slice of good fortune.

Had Briers been turned side on or with his back to the Leeds line (I know that's an unlikely scenario in this particlar instance but just as an example) he wouldn't have looked to have knocked on providing the ball ended as it did closer to the Warrington line and wouldn't have expected to get pinged. In that case he'd have probably calmly retreated, collected the ball or let a closer colleague do so and played on without expecting the referee's whistle.

It would never have been given as a 'knock on' in Union
League is just too pedantic with 'knock ons' and should continue to let more go to speed up the game.

A 20 page thread for a ref's call that was correct and wouldn't have had an effect on the game even if he'd have given it the other way

I'm not so sure. When I had to play Union at school, shudder, if you threw the ball up and caught it again it was deemed to be a knock on. I used to tell them then their game was a fooking joke.

League isn't pedantic enough. Too many forward passes and incorrect play the balls are let go as it is without adding knock-ons to the list. Full-time professional players and officials should be better than that surely?

I can accept the correct decision been awarded regarding the Briers' knock on but what i can't tolerate is the fact that the self same incident or similar will occur at a ground this season but that the decision will be the complete opposite and that it will be deemed as going forward

Rugby League fans throughout the game are frustrated due to the simple fact that there is a complete lack of consistency shown each week in the referees decision making, is it me or has this frustration got worse under Stuart Cummings?

And this is why so many Leeds supporters got frustrated over this particular incident - we see the exact same thing happen week in, week out and 95% of those incidents are given as a knock-on.

95%?

100% yes

Interesting that Bentham chose to ignore this apparent new advice and revert back to the old interpretation tonight for the catalans no try. Ie. calling Wigan te defending team even though cats never actually took possession.

Was he wrong tonight then?

If not then surely he must have been wrong at the cup final?

I noticed that a couple of 'knock ons' by either side tonight which went slightly behind (ala Briers at Wembley) were given as play on. As long as there is consistency that's fine by me.