......thank god for that. I thought I was the only person to notice that.

I couldn't help watching it thinking, ok stadium but what's the point if there is no one in it? 7k in an old stadium or 2k in a modern stadium, which portrays the poorer image for the sport?

FOR THE UMPTEENTH TIME........
Crowds are not the main concern of the RFL at this stage...........and don't forget the massive crowds that English RL was getting prior to Super League in say 1994.......

Actually not a bad deal by the RFL , they will in two years time own a stadium in Wrexham , and hopefully it will spell the end of stupid ill thought out expansion

Maybe they will then start to do things properly

I was there and while the VR was looking at the L'Estrange 'try' the players were preparing for a scrum (presumably for a Gareth Thomas knock-on) and when Thaler gave it Bradford couldn't believe their luck. As for the 'Benefit of the Doubt' one, I was actually at pitch level by the corner flag about to potter off and there's no way on earth that anyone could have said whether the ball was grounded or not. As the players disentangled themselves the ball was on the line with a Crusaders arm on it, but whether that happened before or after play had stopped was impossible to tell. I have to admit to having the naughty thought that he gave it to even out his earlier cock-up.

can someone explain the difference between benefit of the doubt and refs call?

The RFL or NRL?

It'll be a long wait though or something incomprehensible

'Benefit of the Doubt' = not absolutely sure, but go on then, it will make the scores more even and the game more exciting.

'Ref's Call' = haven't got a clue on this one, thought I'd give you the job of antagonising at least 50% of the crowd/viewers. i live around here and people know me.

If the ref new the decision he would have given it!!If the VR cant tell after watching 10 times then how the hell is the ref going to know what it is!! It puts unnecessary pressure on the ref.

Only the Aussies

L'Estrange grounded the ball after Silverwood blew the whistle. I've checked the rule book and cannot see how you can award a try scored after play has stopped.
No ask Stuart Cummins available this year?

Actually he blew before L'Estrange grounded it , I've just forced myself to rewatch it, even eddie who hates the Crusaders commented on it but as they say its history now

Ah, Phil Clarke, the man who once saidand[/i it was only the third game of the season, I'll look forward to better things and live with what we got.

I disagree. If there had been no video the ref would have had to make the call. All he has to do is make the same call. It might be right or might be wrong, just like any other decision made by countless referees up and down the land; we all have a cheer/moan and get on with the game. He's just deciding whether, or not, someone scored in a rugby match, not starting world war three.

The Schifcofske try was a perfect example of why benefit of the doubt should go to the defending team. When they replayed the L'Estrange try you could hear Silverwood blow his whistle before L'Estrange crossed the line, so why he then went for the video ref I have no idea.