It did get even better (ie - worse decisions) - the video ref can only answer the direct question from the ref .....soft g!t asked "Was there a knock on?" when a ball was stripped by a defender under the post, but went back, and Sale carried on and scored a try ..... video ref, through clenched teeth (he was shown in bottom corner of screen) said "Yes" ..... meaning defender had knocked ball out of attackers hands - but he can't say who did it, only respond to the refs vague question ..... you guessed it - ref, assuming attacker had knocked on, gives scrum defence, and no try !

Aye - there's too much emphasis on returning to the 'safe' option of driving with the pack, so they miss the wide running options .... not surprising though if you get sin-binned if you drop it/knock on !

despite our feelings about RU it was saddening to see Salford's ground with more fans for Sale than turn up for Salford. People from round here (Blackpool) drive to Sale and claim to be fans of rugby ignoring RL completely even though Wigan is much closer and the rugby is more spectacular.

Makes you think doesnt it!

Checkout the Salford part of this forum. There's a couple of threads re Sale and their approach ..... locals saying kids hardly know that Salford Reds exist, yet Sale have had their players/shark mascot doing the rounds of the local schools & community centres for the past few weeks drumming up support for the new season ......

I'm sure I saw something similar a few years ago when the ref asked a direct question and received a direct answer thus awarding a try which was quite clearly not a try. I have noticed a few times since then that some referees ask "Can you see any reason why I should not award the try?" or words to that effect.