That is one area where there is massive inconsistency, also the two feet level with the ref appears to be a bit hit and miss and penalised sometimes and not others.

Officials don't win or equally lose games, the players do that. Neither are officials deliberately biased however, they can (like any human) still be susceptible to influence, mostly sub-consciously, by the crowd. I think this is, and continues to be, Alibert's biggest problem and all credit to the Hull KR crowd, they played their part really well.

I often watch a game live and, with my Amber and Blue tinted glasses, come away thinking that we were hard done by, but when you watch the game back on TV 90% of the time officials get things correct and most mistakes they make are just that, mistakes. A classic example was Hardakers try, where Silverwood was unsighted and the TJ clearly just didn't see it. Because it was so comical is exactly the reason why it is so easy to judge as a mistake.

However, I did find that watching Alibert on Friday I was thinking how poor he was and the majority of those 50/50 calls went Hull KR's way. Even the Sky muppets commented on his poor game. The Cross tackle and McShane 'in touch' tackle where also good examples of a crowd sub-consciously influencing an officials decision. Cross's tackle was not blatantly early and, in fact on the reply, looked to be perfectly timed. Once Cockayne's fingers touch the ball he is fair game. Had Cross pulled that off at Headingley and the South Stand erupted into cheers at such a well timed tackle, then would Alibert have blown? At New Craven Park the crowd of course did the opposite and that is what Alibert (and all ref's) hear and it is hard to block out that influence. Same for McShane, he was dragged (albeit a very short distance) IMO and at Headingley, that gets penalised.

As for the forward passes, the officials missed at least two and arguably three in Hull KR try moves, but for me that is just errors and it just turned out we were on the wrong end of the decision... this week! Also, if you don't put yourself in a position defensively where the final pass, forward or not, is leading to a potential try being scored, then they don't score irrespective. I also think Sinfield was pinged for a ball steal that clearly wasn't and Ablett had the ball knocked out of his hands.

Alibert was poor, we got the worst of an inconsistent performance but the team control how they deal with and react to it!

IA No-one is blaming the officials for winning or losing nor are we dissagreeing with most of the calls made against us or at least i certainly are'nt.
We were told when they went pro they would improve and help the SL become a better product yet they are clearly inconsistent at best and at worst Alibert/Child incompetent.
Now like you've highlighted i fully accept they'll make mistakes but not knowing the rules and penalising one team but not the other for the very same offence is unacceptable.
There was a feature on Sky about 3yrs ago showing the Refs getting individual appraisals on a monday morning and going through video work to help them improve and point out their mistakes yet they are'nt improving and are making some ridiculous calls.
Another thing i've noticed this week was how many times Silverwood went to the VR to check how a ball had come loose/how to restart etc etc after the players protests yet in our games against Wigan and Saints this was clearly ignored ,now if he's been told to do so then lets have a public announcement so we all know what to expect and if not why not??
Errors happen that's not a problem but blatant incompetence isn't doing them or our game any good.

That was farcical, clear joke for all in the ground to witness

Leeds have been poor all season and it’s got fekk all to do with the ref, we need to look a little closer to home for the reasons for this.

Halibut has been poor every time I’ve seen him officiate. He seems out of his depth and tends to miss more obvious and blatant infringements than any other ref.

Full time ref’s have done nothing to improve their performance and the snail muncher is the worse of a bad bunch.

Alibert is up to the standard required.

Edit

The Lealuai knock on that never was.

Calling Ah Van held???

The forward pass for the JJB try???

Giving us a penalty on the line for offside and then hardly a Bradford player anywhere near the line on the next 3 or 4 plays???

Some really bizarre ones tonight.

Having watched the replay in slow motion on Sky Plus I'm sure the Ah Van try hits Halls hand in the air before he regathers which would have been a knock on. Anyone got a view on this? I have no real problem with it being given as it was such a tough one to see but I'm sure from the second angle they show that the ball moves again.

Did Elima lose control of the ball in his try?!

No, I don't think so. Certainly didn't notice at the time. He copped a cheap shot from Widnes' next full back though!

So I've read!

At the time it looked as he didnt have full control of the ball as he rolled over from where we was (however that was a fair distance away)

The penalty awards for the "ball steal" on Elima tonight was incredible. A clear case of a penalty being won.

I thought 'knock on' initially but on further review although Hall's hand hits the ball I think it's still in contact with Ah Van at that point before coming free.

All in all a close but correct call for me.

Didn't think any of the tries were incorrectly given last night. The JJB try being a forward pass, well, if they gave every one of those slightly forward short quick passes as forward then 20% of all game time in SL would be scrums. Bradford employed the same pass many times, but of course if all the home crowd don't shout "forward" every time the Sky muppets don't mention it.
Halibut actually wasn't bad overall, but a good ref, like a good player, gets all the bread an butter stuff right most of the time and then gets the big plays right when the pressure is on. Halibut is incapable IMO of getting the complicated stuff right enough of the time.
As for the ball steal rule, it's a complete minefield and I have sympathy for the refs here. If you change the focus and put more emphasis on the ball carrier keeping control then it would be open season and players would be ripping it.