Nothing wrong with the refs talking to the players, but i do agree the play the ball needs sorting out.
Just call held, no dominant takles

stop players moving off the mark when playing the ball (wigan started this years ago but every superleague team is at it now)
Stand up before playing the ball.
There needs to be a second official managing the play the ball to keep it clean and scrums and drop outs are just an excuse for the team under pressure to slow the game. The officals are happy for this to happen.

Typically contrarian and utterly nonsensical; akin to saying that yes, there are many social ills related to alcohol and the behaviour of people who drink too much and blight our city centres with antisocial behaviour, but the answer is not in policing or prevention - just for those people to drink and fight less.

FWIW, I agree with many of the OP's points - referees have become busy fools, over-focusing on the constant coaching of players and not penalising enough the behaviour they're appearing to try to prevent by persuasion; the ruck is probably the best example of an area of the game that has been totally lost by officials - to the point where some games are virtually unwatchable due to the slowing, spoiling, wrestling and cheating that *is* being coached into players - that's just a fact.

The constant yelling is irritating - but I take the point that dialogue with the players is important - the simple answer would be to turn the mic off until a stoppage happens, when they're likely to be saying something of interest; then ask the growing gang of commentators to STFU for a scant few seconds so that what the ref is saying can actually be heard by the long-suffering viewer. As it stands, they argue amongst themselves and ask Stuart Cummings to pronounce on what the ref *should* do, whilst he's actually doing it.

The game is probably the least enjoyable as a spectacle that it has been for many years - and that for me is very much down to the RFL to resolve; penalise the snot out of every player of every team in every game for the opening rounds of the season - and watch how quickly Wane and co sack their wrestle coaches and start concentrating on defence instead of 'winning' the ruck and milking penalties.

The wrestle and similar are allowed to creep in when too much attention is paid to the views of coaches rather than fans on rules. Its something coaches can work on and train for. The fact that it badly affects the spectacle isn't what counts to coaches. That's why they shouldn't have too much say on rule changes.

You're right! Why haven't the RFL thought of getting rid of refs and just asking the players nicely to cut out all the infringements. Think of the time and money they'd save!

The game is reffed like was agreed between the refs clubs and coaches before a ball was passed. So it must in general be what they want.

I entirely agree that we don't need, as viewers, to hear the ref shouting "mooove" etc., but if it helps the players, reduces penalties, and keeps the game flowing, then I'm all for it, just GET RID of the broadcast of all the calling.

I have gone to live games for several decades and not once has the ref been miked up and calls played over the tannoy, nor have I felt deprived because of that; so it doesn't enhance my viewing when suddenly I can hear the repetitive constant instructions, it detracts from it. Good for players ... bad for viewers.