It was a bit bizarre - the more he said it, the less sense it actually made. He just kept comparing two completely different scenarios and expecting them to be treated the same.

He didn't mention it again after Carney put him straight. I can well imagine it was a frustrating penalty to have given against you, but it was the correct application of the rules - Clarkey was floundering.

I was also surprised by Mr Child's leniency in respect of high shots; Mason and Huby were particularly bad - I thought they were lucky to avoid a team warning and someone in the bin. Agree with Slugger and to a lesser extent Carney - Chase has the capacity to win these close games for them, but he instead chooses to channel his energy into sulking and hunting down cheap shots - the blatant forearm to the face of the HKR scorer should have been dealt with more harshly in my view. He really is a nasty piece of work who, in my view, lets his team down on a regular basis; given his marquee status and the reputed size of his wages, I'd be royally pee'd off if I were a Cas fan - he doesn't deserve their loyalty or support.

I totally agree with this post.

I'm amazed by the reaction of some of my Cas supporting mates to last night's game. Huaraki seemed to be a standout for me, as were Huby and Chase - albeit the latter two for their niggling tactics.

On the Sky team, I think that Eddie and Stevo are awful, and their extended time in the role has given them an inflated sense of importance. Eddie has zero knowledge of how the game is played, and Stevo would have made an excellent expert 35 years ago. Clarke can be interesting but it's become a case of job preservation for them all, they see Eddie and Stevo talking nonsense and retaining their positions, so it's become monkey see monkey do.

Well I'm an England fan and I will be royally pee'd off if he soils the England shirt this season.

I usually go to a game or two but will not be doing so if he is selected.

To the comment about the head high tackles being unpunished, in reality the Cas ones were because they also let them through for tries that they could have stopped with a better tackle. Mason in particular.

From the play the ball thing, I can see what Clarkey is saying. They are not the same but the principle is. We are allowing someone to make a mistake but penalising another that is just a mistake.

Why bother penalising someone for playing the ball. For me, just accept it was a tackle and move on.
In reality, it isn't really a knock on to put it on the floor and role it back with your foot. Can't see why he can't just play on. There is no advantage to the offending side.
It would take the doubt out of the play. If you don't think you ae tackled and run off, you can come back. If you do think you are tackled when you are not, why not let him give up a tackle and play on?

Agreed. Its classed as a voluntary tackle but its about time the rules were tweaked to distinguish between that and a real voluntary tackle.

I think the problem with playing the ball when you're not tackled is you put all opposition players within 10 m in an off-side position, thus gaining an advantage.

He has been in the England team for the last 2 years.

I too will never spend my hard earned money to watch England while ever a Kiwi wears an England shirt,utter joke.

At first I agreed with you, but then I thought more on it, and now I don't.

If you think about it, if you allow players to play the ball before not properly tackled, it will turn into touch and pass as sides would do it deliberately. The wrestle in the tackle is what gives the defensive line time to get set. If the play the ball is early, they are not set and the likes of Roby would create havoc, making breaks through ragged lines or getting penalties for offside, all for not properly contesting the game. So the rule is just right and Phil Clarke is talking out of his hat.

Precisely - it may well be that Mr Huby and indeed Mr Clarke don't agree with that rule, but in the middle of a game is not the time to make a statement; Mr Child could clearly be heard shouting "play on," twice I think, and Huby chose to play the ball instead - a brainfart by a player in a hurry, so no controversy in that decision at all for me, despite the protestations of Clarkey and on last night's SL Show, Millward.

Richard Agar confirms that if the CC Draw is kind to Leeds and Wakefield there is a chance that the game could be played around that date (weekend of 19 - 21 April)

12 APR - Leeds Rhinos vs London Broncos
14 APR - Wakefield Wildcats vs Warrington Wolves
19 - 21 APR - CC
26 APR - Widnes Vikings vs Wakefield Wildcats
28 APR - Hull KR vs Leeds Rhinos

Looking at that, I would say it would be the 17/18 April and playing the CC games on the Sunday.

Can't see us playing Sunday Wednesday Friday in same week.
Chill out were trinity and we play when we want!

"Kind"? As in avoiding Super League or Championship opposition in Wakefield's case!