Quote: oli30045 "Will the new VR rule mean that there is no more "benefit of the doubt" decisions?'"
What I don't understand is, if there is 'doubt', how can you possibly give a try on the basis of probability and not clear evidence, that's just a loved up way of going about things. Benefit of doubt is utter shiate as it only favours one side.
As for obstruction, again we will have individual interpretations and the same as many other aspects it depends who is reffing (or indeed touchies) as to what decision is made.
Sin binning should be far more definitive. Players punching (be it two facing or otherwise), first offence sin bin, no ifs, no buts. Any subsequent yellow card offence for the same player should be sent off same as you would in soccer, however many that might be, that'll discourage players running in and windmilling and hopefully professional fouls
Obvious intentional head high challenges & indeed those especially late and/or leaving feet ala Bowen early last season should be a straight red. That said when a player is slipping or ducks at the last second then it's impossible for a player whom was aiming chest high to then change his direction in that split second and account should be taken of that.
I'd also like to see the video refs look at these types of incidents live (as per RU) because when you have a dirty shyster like Elima twisting a players leg right in front of the ref who then cowardly put it on report (& the touchies clearly didn't want to know either..s) the team whom may well lose a player to injury because of that foul play never benefit unless the ref has the balls to send the offender off which all too frequently never happens.