I've said it before, Child is one of those refs who suffers from having not played the game - little things like when a ball comes flying out of a stationary tackle, where the ball comes out obviously travelling too fast for it to have just been dropped, yet he'll give knock on when all sense says it was reefed.

He's also got a real sense of arrogance around him. The way he holds himself and talks 'at' players, coupled with his sometimes bizarre decisions means players get frustrated with him (which the players should handle better). All of this means that inevitably, he has far too much involvement in a game, rather than being like the better refs who try to remain out of the spotlight as a facilitator of the game taking place rather than a centre stage if the game.

Amazed at some opinions on here Child has ruined more games , not just Leeds matches than i care to remember and despite the arrogance of Silverwood in my opinion he is still the best of a bad bunch

Leeds - Wire could be a sensational game and the pre-game thread is filled with ref debate.

classic southstander.

I know this isn't entirely related to the game, but its worth noting that as a pre-cursor to this game is the University of Leeds vs Leeds Beckett (Met) Varsity game kicking off at 545, both sides having won their league and cup double now facing off, it was a great game last year and fully expect the same if not better this year, so for any getting to the ground earlier its definitely worth checking out.

I think it's a problem with RL refs in general. Not necessarily having played the game, I don't think that's necessary to be a decent ref. But I do think the refs live in their own little refereeing world and that a culture exists whereby the ref is always right.

Now I can understand how that's come about. Our refs go through the amateur game, which is a terrible place to be a referee. The verbal and sometimes physical abuse they still suffer is appalling and I wonder if the necessity to "stand up" to often intimidating players, officials, coaches and fans in the amateur game means that the few who make it through to SL have an almost in-built "arrogance" in the way they communicate with players.

Personally I think a few things could be done that would drastically improve the reffing:
- increase the money and support available to amateur refs
- stamp out the abuse of referees in the amateur game with long bans for players, coaches, officials & fans/parents who abuse referees. Including kicking repeat offender clubs out of competitions.
- increase the amount of time referees spend in League 1 before moving to the Championship and the same up to SL. I'd say at least 5 years in League 1 followed by at least 5 years in the Championship.
- increase the wages of referees to encourage better candidates.
- review whether exclusively full time refs is necessary. Could there be both full time and part time refs?
- introduce a 2nd ref. Not in the NRL style though I don't think that's needed. It'd be more like a roving touch judge.

I know these thing basically all require more money being spent on the refs but I think, like most RL departments, it's underfunded.

James Child called a knock on against Brett Ferres after Rangi Chase's "tackle". Chase was later banned for several games. That tells you about James Child.

Childs loses a lot of credibility with his bizarre approach to pulling out a decision out of thin air, perfect example the rangi chase tackle. Childs had no clue and gave a knock on! enough said

Watched the Widnes vs Wigan and Catalans vs Cas games from the opening 2 rounds. Child reffed both and for me was largely responsible for both matches getting so fiery and dirty as they went on as he struggled to control them, communicate well with players, and make poor calls which increased players frustration.

I'd say he's the poorest ref we have. Silverwood for me still can produce good performances at times, but litters it with poor ones inbetween. Bentham I thought was really good 4/5 years ago and was rightly getting the finals/semis....but he really gone backwards (whenever he's VR he seems hell bent on disallowing any try and will only give some after a dozen replays when it was obvious from the first two that it was fine)

Yes should be a stormer. Hope Mac has a good plan to contain Clark as he must be due for a big game. We will need some tight defense around the ruck. Oh and on our right flank too.

Whilst on refs. Has there been a penalty given for a cannonball tackle this season?

There are still plenty of them happening (saw several in the Wakey v Wigan game last night) but none given.

There seems very much a reluctance to give out red cards and so incidents where ones might be required by the refs are glossed over. Chase on Ferres, Green on Burns and Paterson on the Leigh player being good examples.

The "it's a penalty but we're not sure of where the contact was" line is wearing very thin.

Starting line up unchanged, Mulhearn comes in for Yates on the bench.

Bit lightweight on the bench, might need some long minutes from the three starting props.

Terrible so far from Leeds, perfect from Warrington.

understatement of the season =/

Whilst we have been poor and wire very good everything has gone for them and nothing our way at all.We don't appear patient enough to grind it out tonight and it seems we thought we just had to show up to win.Half time team talk will be interesting