I'll take that as a NO then.

Irrespective of the merits/accuracy of his comments there was no way the RFL couldn't be seen to react by charging Agar. Letting it go would have created a precedent and made it open season for coaches to slag match officials, which isn't a road I'd want to see the game going down.

How long after the final hooter are coaches press conferences these days? I know journos want to get home, particularly from Friday night games, but is there mileage in making them say at least an hour after the hooter to give coaches chance to calm down a little?

If a legal rugby league tackle happened on the street outside the ground it would be assault too. What's your point?

A legal rugby league tackle is technically an assault inside the ground too. However a defence to it is that it took place during a lawful sporting activity according to the rules.

So TECHNICALLY Sean Long running in leading with the elbow could be argued that it's NOT a 'legal' rugby league tackle and if whoever the other person was fancied making a name for himself he could try and get him arrested for assault.

Of course it won't happen.



Thats why I was interested in the comment that was posted by someone on the last page saying it MIGHT have happened because Sean Long might have been concussed from another illegal tackle earlier on. Long would probably use that as a defence if he did get arrested.



Ahhh the law.

Don't you just love it.

And if Long was to use it as an excuse then it would be a legitimate one. He was treated for concussion after the game, ask any doctor and they will tell you that a concusion can be serious and can affect the thought process, hence why player have to prove they are fully recovered from a concusion before they are allowed to take the field again.

Considering Long had almost been decapitated moments earlier, a challege that went unpunished by Child and more than likely caused the concusion, why is it so difficult for you to understand that this could have affected Long's mental state at that time?

Gotta love a good old bit of internet hyperbole.




You are probably right about Sean Long being concussed though. He was clearly not thinking straight because judging by the amount of tries Hull FC have conceded this season (so far) it is obvious the players have had it drummed into them not to 'assault' any members of the opposing sides by tackling them... whether they are covered by the old 'consent during a lawful sporting activity' or not.

Poor old FC eh

That's what it says in the rules though, isn't it?
If, in the opinion of the referee, the ball is passed forward there is a scrum.
If, in the opinion of the referee, a tackle is high the offending team should be penalised.
If, in the opinion of the referee, player is offside there should be a penalty to the non offending team.

For sure referees can get it wrong; they're human beings with all the failings common to the rest of us, and if something is clearly wrong, then it is up to coaches and club officials to go down the correct route via the referee's boss and [inot[/i via the media.

Whilst fans will be always fans, if clubs and coaches don't show respect to the officials then the game is on a slippery slope imo. In any case it is surprising though, how often something complained about during a game is actually shown to be correct when reviewed later.

I think if coaches can critise refs it is only fair that refs get right of reply! Can't wait to see the refs press conference:

Media: So James why blow the pea out of the whistle?
Child: Well unfortunately Agar is such a poor coach that the only chance his players have of winning is to lay on and be offside, I'm not saying he tells them to cheat but when so devoid of ideas and motivation I guess that is all they have left.
Media: So you think Agar can't coach?
Child: Me and 12,000 Hull FC fans

Now that would be good TV!

Fair point which is why I was wondering what happened to Brian Noble when, during a game last season, he was physically on the touchline remonstrating with officials openly in front of everyone in the stadium ? Surely the RL are not operating an inconsistent approach to their respect campaign for the good reasons you mention ?

Are they ?

I hope you don't go home to find a fork in the spoon drawer, it could push you over the edge!

Actually Agar alludes to this happening during his media interview (available on the FC website) and James Webster make reference to disparity between official reports and informal discussions with the ref post match in a piece also on the website.