Still in the past - you cut out the second bit of what I said, which goes against what you said. The dummy runner shouldn't initiate contact with the defender, that doesn't mean a defender initiating contact with the dummy runner counts as obstruction

The dummy runner didn't initiate contact. He ran in a straight line downfield. The defender ran a diagonal line into the dummy runner. Besides which, the explanation from the referees makes no provision for initiating contact, it just says that if the dummy runner is ahead of the ball and prevents a defender from making the tackle either intentionally or unintentionally it's obstruction. Does that sound right to you? To me that says every dummy runner is an obstruction if the defender falls for it.

I like the video ref I think it adds drama to the game, just do away with going to it for obstruction.
Anyway Ben Thaler is video ref for cup tie v. Cas so we're stuffed.

Also the Hapless Mr Hicks is TJ again.

If the defender initiates contact then the dummy runner isn't preventing him from making a tackle, he's just chosen the wrong tackle to make.

The Saints Chairman pulls no punches (sorry about the pun) in todays M.E.N. www.google.co.uk/url?sa=t&rct=j& ... UVJyBWBIlA

The Saints Chairman pulls no punches (sorry about the pun) in todays M.E.N. www.google.co.uk/url?sa=t&rct=j& ... UVJyBWBIlA

Easily the best thing I've ever read from him. Well said.

I would agree, but according to the refs explanation it is obstruction. Obviously it isn't really, the #asktheref session is just an exercise in self vindication.

What kind of game do we want? Video refs have changed how we view our sport. Any technological change will have an affect on what happens on the pitch. For years we have been calling for fewer mistakes by officials but that means more stoppages. That is the route American football took. I do not want to go down that road so I have to allow refs to make mistakes. What always amazes me is how often the ref makes a call that I disagree with and the video evidence proves that I was wrong.

Not read all the thread but personally I am sick and tired of the whole video ref process - get rid and leave the decisions to the referee and linesman, simple as. The video ref is a farce now, if you loose to a dodgy decision then that's tough. Get rid of it!

It has got the Aussies talking. www.watoday.com.au/rugby-league/ ... zs3pe.html

It has got the Aussies talking. www.watoday.com.au/rugby-league/ ... zs3pe.html

And Wane toohttps://www.wigantoday.net/sport/wigan-warriors/video-s-killing-the-super-league-stars-1-6668420rl

This makes an utter mockery of the game when Televised matches are refereed using different interpretations of the rules than non televised matches.

During last weeks televised match between Wigan and Cas when there was a break in play whilst once again a alleged obstruction was being viewed, one of the commentators said it was no good everyone complaining because it was the coaches themselves who had asked for the tightening up of the obstruction rule.

It makes me wonder if with Wigan relying more than most clubs from dummy runners there has been a conspiracy by some to gang up on Wigan. Just a thought.

This comment should get a few more pages out of this thread.

Couldn't agree more. I said exactly the same thing myself on page 3 of this thread. Let th on field officials make the decision...