If the whole point is the ball can go forward but not leave the hands forward why can't the video ref be called on to judge how the ball has left the hands?

Fair question - unfortunately the RFL simply refuse to liaise with fans on issues like this, not even to provide clarity on why things are as they are. You could always write to them and ask but I wouldn't hold your breath for a reply!

Try the all MP's rugby league group?

I know the video refs aren't great, especially one in particulary but which is preferable?
Do we rely on the ref and linesmen in open play who have proved pathetic or do we go to the video ref who can look carefully at the pass?
No contest.

They did see the Goulding tackle on Riley that was high , then it wasn't, then it was, then it wasn't. Funny how the linesman come running on the pitch waving their flags in wigan games, its also funny how they ask the video ref to check everything that wigan do.
But when you get a pass thats 7 metres forward...............

After reading some posts on here when is a pass forward and when is it not? I always thought, if the player passing the ball was on the attacking 10 metre line and the player recieving it recieves it on 9.99m away from the attacking goal line it is forward. If it goes 10.01m from the attacking goal line then it is a good pass. Or am I wrong?

Ish. If the player's stood still when he throws the ball you're spot on. If he's running forward then you're wrong. Ish.

Yep, you're wrong. It was explained pretty well earlier in the thread - it has to go backwards relative to the passer, not the ground. If you're running forwards and gently toss the ball behind you, the ball will still travel forwards relative to the ground.

You learn something new every day then! So in reality as long as the recieving player catches the ball behind the line player that has passed is then it is a good pass then, no wonder there is all this confusion about forward passes.

From here, where there is also a thorough explanation of it. www.theaftermatter.com/2012/05/p ... s-and.html There's also a good video explanation if you type "Rugby Union "Forward Pass" video" in to the usual place.

From here, where there is also a thorough explanation of it. www.theaftermatter.com/2012/05/p ... s-and.html There's also a good video explanation if you type "Rugby Union "Forward Pass" video" in to the usual place.

Dead simple, it's so Cummins ( the RFL) still have some control over a way of influencing results.

So in theory no pass is forward if the passing player continues to run, arrr I get it now, actually its simples

Most people appear to be accepting the fact that the ball must travel backwards in relation to the player who passed the ball.

Now bearing this in mind, watch the try again, especially the replay, and concentrate more on the players (particularly Hodgson) and see where Hodgson (who is running at an angle and certainly not speeding up) is in relation to Monaghan when he (Monaghan) recieves the ball. This may help


The pass looks to be ridiculously forward because the the camera angle where the ball appears to be clearly travelling forward and straight at the camera. But in relation to Hodgson the ball does appear to go backwards!

The last time I laughed this much was watching Les Boyd playing for the Wires

Not as funny as watching Finch spit his dummy at the time though!