I'd prefer to see the referees/system actually trying to protect players from being injured whilst (often) in vulnerable positions when in the act of scoring. Penalties should be applied in the same manner whether it's scoring a try or on the halfway line. Leaving players essentially unprotected and not penalising the offending team is a failure to apply the rules, it's as simple as that and does not need a review from the VR.

The one that sticks in my memory of recent times of an 8 pointer that wasn't given (aside from rat boy getting laid out by Raynor) was Moto Tony getting kneed in the face by the Leeds FB Mathers at the 2005 CC final, he steamed across and basically jumped off the ground knees first at Tony's head as he was in the act of scoring, couldn't believe fatty Ganson didn't give the 8 pointer for that.

I guess you have to draw the line somewhere or players could jump when receiving a pass so as to avoid getting tackled.
I'd still put some onus on the players to be careful with their actions and penalise them if they're reckless.

I suppose a penalty could still be given if an attacker is put into a dangerous position by the defender just like in any other tackle. It just isn't an automatic penalty.

In the NRL the anomaly is that you can tackle an attacking player in the air, but not a defender. So under the same high ball if a full back catches it in the air and is touched its a penalty, but if the attacking winger does the same its not.

Robbo is right, it is illegal to tackle a player in mid-air attempting to catch a kicked ball on the full. If the ball bounces first the player is fair game.

More difficult to hit the jumper with the same momentum following a bounce I'd say, given that there's less time available to pinpoint where the ball's going and react accordingly. But worst case I'd have to agree: both could be equally serious.

As long as it stays outside the remit of the VR I agree with this. And yes, even as a Leeds fan I thought Mathers' offence warranted another shot at goal and possibly a dismissal.