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.

The look on Kylie's first said it all for me when he ruled a knock on(that never was!), just shows won,lose or draw we are never happen with them. I always get the impression with Alibert it's all too much for him, the mcshane/elima incident for example hardly a word said to either player.

Hate to say it, think Ganson is best of bad bunch this year

Have to agree. Alibert always gives the impression of not being in control (too timid;not commanding enough) and it's a credit to the players really that there isn't a complete breakdown in order.

always get that impression with him, dont know if its a language thing or what and he's no better as a video ref.

My thoughts exactly. He's Ok with standard play, although I'd like to see a more consistent 10m from him (sometimes it's 7 or 8, sometimes 13 or 14) but when the more technical decisions are required he looks out of his depth.

I would never describe him as inconsistent, because I think he generally is consistent BUT I would describe him as random! It seems when he makes errors, he makes howling errors, the knock-on that never was being a good case in point. I also think he is not as commanding as other ref's but that could still be a slight lack of confidence in the English language but I also think he is a ref that is led by the crowd reaction, so home sides always seem to get the 50/50 calls with him.

Agreed

Noticed a few times last night from both teams they were lined up where theythought 10m was and hallibut was still stood near play of the ball and therefore completely out of position to give any sort of decision on if they are back 10 or not

He's hopeless and doesn't know the rules of the game,i didn't think he could be any worse than t'other week but last night he was shocking.

Just watching it back now – the Kylie knock-on decision was farcical but what was not noticed was the Platt voluntary tackle when they regained the ball on their own line.

Add the Ah Van knock-on only to recover the ball and get bundled over the in-goal line - Penalty to Bradford?????

I don't think Ah Van knocked on but when he regathered the ball he wasn't tackled and Alibert wrongly called held. Leeds were entitled to push him back over the goal line and should have received a drop-out.

Agree with you on the Leuluai 'knock on' although he did fumble the ball in contact so I can also see where Alibert got a ruling from even though with the benefit of replays I didn't agree with the call.

Was the Platt one on the Bradford line where Webb shakes his head at the play the ball call? Alibert got that one spot on as Webb had instinctively placed both hands on the grounded player effecting the tackle. Realising he wanted Platt to get up he moves his hands away but it was too late.



Yes that was a terrible call. Nothing more to add on that one.

However I was impressed when he gave Leeds the penalty for the Ah Van obstruction (and the lead for the first time) on Jones-Buchanan which I had completely missed the first time around and had called a penalty against Leeds. Hardly a 'home call' decision that one.

Just watching the Wigan v Saints game back and exactly the same thing happens about half an hour in.

Carmont went to ground with Wilkin hovering over him, Wilkni then put a hand on Carmont’s shoulder while he had the ball grounded effecting the tackle. Carmont then played he ball and Silverwood pinged him for a voluntary tackle.