Best official we have (had) by some distance.

Millenium 07. Jordan Tansy. No video ref call. The worst referee By a distance.
Halifax 00. Andy Hobson drops and breaks Robbie Paul's ribs. Goodbye and good riddance!!

FFS!!! Get over it.

However, two mistakes in 13 years? This is starting to become a habit.

No it isn't. The standard is as good as it as ever been. Referees of 20 years ago wouldn't have been able to cope with the how the game has evolved now. Attack and defence is all about playing to the edge of the rules with nearl every decision scrutinised from 10 different angles. 99.9% of every decision the make they get right, far more than players.

I've never agreed with this, "people from years ago wouldn't have coped now", argument - whether we're talking about refs or players. If the old time refs had been brought up in today's conditions they would have coped excellently, every bit as good as the ones we have today.

FWIW, which I accept is not a lot, I think the biggest difference between Sgt Major Clay and Steve Ganson is the modern fan, and as you've already mentioned, modern technology, which can analyse decisions in fine detail. Back in the day, people would moan about the ref in the pub and then forget it - now it's all over social media, sometimes with video clips sually proving nothing] and it goes on for weeks on end.

Coming back to Ganson - he was ok; yes, there have been 'issues' [Millennium Stadium, anyone?] and his occasional 'strange' decisions which far more qualified people than myself have found difficult to explain, but they always went both ways. So, he was even handed and mostly correct - sounds about as good as anyone has any right to expect.

> If the old time refs had been brought up in today's conditions

Isn't that the point? Those referees from that time wouldn't cope today, and neither would the part time players. They were products of their era, just as today's officials and referees are.

Very confident referee who wasn't afraid to make a decision and send a player from the field. My only criticism would be that I think sometimes he enjoyed the controversy a little too much. The best games for me are the ones when the referee isn't one of the main talking points afterwards. Still one of the better referees in the league though but I feel Alibert is now ready to step up to the plate and referee the major finals..

Jordan tansey 2007 never forget

Ganson retiring in mid-season leaves a big hole. Our best ref by some way. But, there are some very good refs about, and Child is much improved this year so has potential. Roby I'm not sure about, he was not as erratic last time round but doesn't often impress.

If Ganson achieves one thing then I hope it is something nearer consistency, I'm sick of things being interpreted strictly one way one week, and then being overlooked for the rest of the season. That is not bad reffing, but clear following of orders.

Blesssed is he who doth not expect...for he shall [inot[/i be disappointed. Suspect a strong case of plus ça change..etc.

A a lot of years ago, refs used to give one [kickable] penalty for offside at the ptb to each side fairly early on, and then ignore it for the rest of the game. As long as [ithey[/i didn't get a much easier kick than your side you didn't bother....They'd also give a penalty against each of the scrum halves for feeding the scrum [I said it was a long time ago] and then they'd ignore [ithat[/i for the rest of the game too.

If things changed though, we'd have nothing to talk about on the day following the game..

Now he is away from the lime light he may do some good, maybe not the best ref but he is better than some, like has been said he liked himself to much especially in the big games he wanted to be the centre of attention.

Now that the attention has been town away from him he may improve the whole system, with him taking the post in mid season may say something about the rfl, they have noticed some very odd decisions by refs and want someone in charge ASAP.

There is only one thing you really want from refs - and that is consistency - both in games, and from the different refs.

I am always puzzled - more so in union - when you hear the comment that the coaches have meet with the ref pre-match to talk about "his" interpretation of the rules. There should only be one interpretation.

If you truly wanted to get rid of, "strange decisions", putting Mr G in charge seems a tad perverse...

Can you imagine Silverwood and Bentham having to report to that pot bellied idiot? I bet they feel really pleased about this

Clearly he polarises opinion. I think he was the best referee we had and one of the few with the balls to send someone off who deserved it.

I thought his approach was particularly freshing because it came after years of Russell Smith who didn't realise he had a red card but thought he had half a dozen yellow ones. Upon witnessing someone raping and then eating an opponent on half way, he would have put it on report.