Just no on every level and with all due respect, as I don't know you, that's exactly what I'd expect a ref to say.

Firstly, you can't adjust for things like last night. Heck, I'm not even in favour of lowering the tackle height. It would just mean softer defence, more stupid offloads and games ending 60 points to 40. Give me a 8 - 4 Wigan Vs Manly, or a low scoring, attritional SOO game any day of the week. Brutal defence, big hits, hard running and a bit of good old biff.

There is nothing wrong with the game. Players don't need to be protected. The game doesn't need it's gladiatorial elements removing from it.

I don’t enjoy the game anymore which ultimately will lead to me not going at all. The excitement of hearing and seeing the big hits is what attracted me to the game all those years ago. But now, watching it is akin to looking forward to a pint of Stella and being served a Skol shandy
It’s sad times and unfortunately I don’t see a way forward

I’m in favour of the clampdown on head high contact. With the legal action being taken by past players the game has no choice. Insurance is obviously a problem though the NRL must have insurance so why not approach that company?

I’d go as far as to say that 90 - 99% of high tackles are accidental. Some are simply an accident, others due to circumstances or down to poor technique. I’ve no issue with players being sent from the field, it puts the onus on them to get their technique right. If they do and it still happens then it’s a penalty and no more. Ellis against Cas is a prime example of that. His tackle position was good, he was wrapping the arms and the Cas player slipped into him so the attackers height changed fractionally before contact. Conversely Watts, although not intended, his body shape was tall and arm wrapping so although Dupree was low he did not change height therefore red card & 4 matches.

The game simply HAS to apply some common sense. I get why the red card was given against brown, by the letter of the law direct forceful contact with no obvious mitigating factors.

I’d argue that Currie swung round and went into Brown as much as Brown went into Currie. There was literally nothing either player could do about it. It wasn’t a head butt. There was no swinging arms, no recklessly throwing arms and legs in random directions. Just a simple accidental clash of heads.

I quite like an idea muted by Wilkin last night. If they’re not sure about whether it’s yellow or red sin bin the player and give the VR 10 mins to review then upgrade to a red if appropriate. Perhaps introduce an orange card for this.

All that said I’m not going to throw my toys out of the pram and suddenly stop watching a sport I’ve loved for 45 years because the RFL have not quite got the interpretation right for a new law introduced for the best intentions.

I mostly agree with this. I'd argue that player welfare is important, but it's also plain that the best and surest way to protect players is for them not to participate at all.

It's their choice. As it always has been.

No one is forced to play rugby league. And anyone who says they didn't know how dangerous it was is simply lying. They shouldn't even be given the time of day, never mind be allowed to put a court case together.

In all honesty, I don't know what rankles with me more: the fact this is happening just when we were entering a new age of mass publicity, or the names of some of the players who are causing it.

You talk about two-bit troublemakers. That doesn't even come close to describing them.

This isn’t hyperbole but on Good Friday we genuinely could be looking at 11 v 11

With a capacity crowd and a hostile atmosphere it could happen.

If they carry on with the bans that 11 v 11 might be from kick off!

I’m going to Hudds today with my eldest lad. He’s 13 and wants to tick off the away grounds now like I did at a similar age. He’s been to Wigan, Salford and Leeds and now obviously wants to do more.

However there’s a very real chance the game could be ruined by a controversial decision. Granted we are no angels but there’s a real worry in me that a Sironen/Matautia walks early doors and it’s game over.

It’s a strange feeling going to games at the moment

Is there still a "sending off sufficient" option in the disciplinary ? It will be absolutely shocking if Nu Brown gets a ban on top of that sending off. He's made a brilliant statement about last night https://www.seriousaboutrl.com/there-ha ... WA4G2s3hIE

Is there still a "sending off sufficient" option in the disciplinary ? It will be absolutely shocking if Nu Brown gets a ban on top of that sending off. He's made a brilliant statement about last night https://www.seriousaboutrl.com/there-ha ... WA4G2s3hIE

When you hear about the insurance issues, it’s clearly a money problem and we don’t have the finance to make it go away. I look at football and they started making a thing of concussions last year but even when players clashed heads or looked dazed from an elbow or similar they didn’t really bother doing anything, even though they’d brought in new protocols. This season I hear nothing of it whatsoever. It’s just brushed under the carpet and I can only think the lack of a threat of financial oblivion makes it easy to turn a blind eye.

It’s been much the same for years with things like recreational drugs use. Rugby League players picking up bans of 2 years here and there, whereas football players must have all been squeaky clean and living an athletes life…honest! The same goes for legal cases, were trials miraculously fall apart or not guilty verdicts come through against all odds. A certain player from a Merseyside club was accused of a crime around 18 months ago and seems to have just disappeared of the face of the earth since and it doesn’t get spoke of. I’m in no way one of those conspiracy theory nuts but I’ve no doubt money is helping.

Rugby League looks to be an easy target for ambulance chasers and insurance companies. How we break that is anyone’s guess. A breakaway league? The NRL taking us over? Player waivers? Not a clue tbh but I hope somebody has.

The sad fact is that many games will no longer be decided by skill. Something needs to change fast or the majority of rugby fans will become disillusioned.

Two things professional sport needs, players and spectators and the governing body is currently alienating both groups, as Nu Brown says above it really is line in the sand time

Edit, match day officials as well, the refs must be dreading going on to the field

Jon Wilkin raised a good point yesterday, why don't they do what RU do, sin bin the player and it gives 10 minutes to review the decision, if it is bad, the card gets changed, and the player cant return. it takes the crowd out of the equation, and allows refs to take time to decide if its a red or not.

its not perfect but if they make a mistake its a sin bin at worst

https://www.hulldailymail.co.uk/sport/r ... ommunities Can't say i disagree with any of that. Good to see people from all area's of the game speaking out about this.

https://www.hulldailymail.co.uk/sport/r ... ommunities Can't say i disagree with any of that. Good to see people from all area's of the game speaking out about this.