Just reading the RL papers while on dinner today and it had an article about Royce Simmons having ago at Steve Ganson for giving 35 pens in the Saints Hudds match, and apperently most of the pens given were for lying on at the play the ball, now this is apparently what the refs have been told to crack down on this year.
Thinking back to the Wigan and Hull KR matches, this is the reason for the mojority of pens we gave away, i just hope we cut this out as this will hurt us this year.

viewtopic.php?f=2&t=481022 Worth a look.

viewtopic.php?f=2&t=481022 Worth a look.

The problem with instructing refs to clampdown even more on their interpretation of lying on at the PTB will be that coaches will now be telling their players to milk the penalty. So basically the stricter rules will now encourage attacking players to use it to their advantage. Players will be working on their wriggling body technique with an exaggerated nodding head as I type.

This happens every year where the referees are told to focus and blow up frequently for Stuart Cummings 'latest clampdown rule of the new season. I question which big club coach has influenced Mr Cummings for the benefit of his own tactics? Fear not it usually only lasts a few games and then they forget all about it.

Judging by the many complaints from supporters of several clubs about the number of these penalties being awarded in friendly matches, it makes me think that the RFL are very consitent when it comes to shooting themselves in the foot.

Unless some common sense prevails a millenium magic penalty-athon weekend awaits!

Although I haven’t read the rules, I would just like to point out that you have got things completely wrong.

Surely the new rule is 3 or more men must be committed to the tackle, role the opposition player on to their back, then leave the tackle (slowly) one by one, the whole process should not be completed in less than 60 seconds in order to let the defending players have a rest and take the sting out of the attack.

Seemed to work for Wigan the other week!

I havn't got anything wrong no matter how long or how many players allowed, the refs are still clamping down on lying on at the play the ball as Royce Simmons says.

Think that was a "tongue in cheek moment"

The way the game is going it will soon resemble union for the number of penalties for technical offences

I think the RFL might be attempting to speed the game up by telling referees to crack down on messing around at the play the ball. This could work, if the RFL told clubs that that is what they are trying to do, rather the letting teams learn the hard way i.e us v Hull KR. Plus, like in the NRL, it may mean we need a 2nd referee.

I havn't got a problem with clamping down on it, just as long as it's the same for ALL teams. I didn't go to the HKR game but in the Wigan match they seemed to be getting away with lying on while we were getting punished for it.