And the refereeing standard is as low as i`ve ever seen! Its been there for everyone to see on TV, but all we seem to hear is "Pathetic" excuses from Cummings. If things dont change soon, these fools are going to destroy our game. Two games played and two times i`ve turned over before full time, certain teams are a dead cert for a top 4 finish this season if this standard of refereeing continues.... Or is that just me being "suspicious"!!!

The inclusion of Cummings (at first) was a good one. A ref's point of view, usually to put Stevo or Clarke in their place, after commentary hysterionics.

Now, he's just there as an Aunt Sally figure for all of the "commentary" team to take the slash out of him, when one of his acolytes drops a b0!!0ck. In the last two games, there's been PLENTY of opportunity.

I can honestly say, I've never seen a worse standard of refereeing in our game, than some of the dross that's been served up in the last year or so.
30 years ago, refs were just plain bent, and they got away with it, due to the lack of our games exposure from television. Now we get 2 or 3 televised games per week, so they can't get away with as much bias as they used to, but it's just the innumerable fluff ups that they miss, that drives me up the wall.
Aren't these people now classed at professional?

Am I alone in hating the new video ref arrangement? We've gone from "Haven't got a clue, so I'll delegate all responsibility upstairs" to "Still haven't got a clue, I'll have a guess and then delegate final decison upstairs".

Farcical. Super League is now the new American Football, will cost clubs a fortune in electricity for evening games they'll go on so long.

What was wrong with the Catalans "try" in the first half? Fairly contentested kick, Bentham says no try and refers it so any element of doubt immediately swings in favour of the defending team.

We're playing into RU's hands.

Completely asinine decision for me, too. The on field ref is almost always going to hand it upstairs with the advisement "I've got no try...". Of course you do, that's why you're handing it upstairs.

This decision does nothing to address the issue of decision accountability, it just results in things like a try being turned into a tackled in the air decision.

I'm going to give the officials, excuse the pun, the benefit of doubt, for this round of rugby.
The refs, linesmen and video refs may be rusty and or teething.

BUT I expect a big improvement by round 2.

I'm doing the same. FWIW the 7 penalties on the bounce were all correct. When Pelissier eventually scored there was still a Saints player nowhere near onside.

if Travis Burns is going to be offside all game he may want to rethink those bright yellow boots

I think Cummings is looking to feather his nest. After the grand final, he had a page in the paper analysing every single try and penalty.

I think people dramatically over exaggerate the standard of refereeing. The only difference is that 30 years ago we didn't have all the replays from 10 different angles, you just had to accept the call. If you ask me, our lot are far better than the NRL lot

Plus One.

The only time I do disagree with the Refs is when they award anything to that Rabble from Stains.

2 games into this eagerly awaited season and what do we talk about,yep the standard of reffing,,nothing about the quality of play(not that ive seen much of that)says it all really..bet the aussies coming here to play our club sides are cacking it...

Were you watching the game when referees were under the stewardship of Greg McCallum? If so, I am sure you would agree the standards have declined since he left.

I think I am right in saying that the NRL video ref panel has an ex player and a ref rather than 2 ref's. The much maligned Matt Rodwell is often part of the video ref teams. If we had that then all the fuss last year about obstructions would have been avoided and catalans first try last night would have stood.

Yes, but the NRL video referees are still prone to screw ups. Having ex players in there is not going to change that.

Contrary to popular belief, the NRL refs/video refs are not as good as people make out.

It really does beggar belief that so many wrong decisions can be given when there are so many referees in whatever capacity at each game. Every poor decision can influence a game & unless the rules of the game are upheld they may as well be scrapped. May be it is time to pay the officials on a performance related scale....this could easily be assessed by the match review panel & any slackers could be penalised.

'kinell

These clowns would end up OWING money, not earning