I once applied to be a ref and went to sit the exam. I sat down to do the test but was told I'd failed when they found out my IQ wasn't in single digits

It's accountability and transparency that's needed. Operating behind closed doors and walls of silence with referees and their leader never publicly having to answer criticism just makes them isolated. They become the enemy and everything they do is wrong. They're a poor bunch at the moment but they're not as bad as we sometimes make out. It would be good for them to be able to point out the , probably numerous , times when everyone thinks they've got it wrong but in fact they were right. It would be fantastic as well for them to admit they got it wrong which they inevitably will and on occasions prove how difficult it is by everyone failing to reach any concensus either way. They'd get more respect and and in the long term that might just get more people into refereeing which is absolutely crucial if standards are to improve.

Another one nailing the point about referees having a major influence on which team has the ball and where they have it.

I also went to take the test. The first question was, "In no more than 25 words, please explain the forward pass rule if you are (a) Leeds Rhino's or (b) Hull FC."

If Brent Webb's pass goes 4 yards forward and Danny Maguire's knocks on in the act of scoring a try, how offside were Hull FC?

Which Brent Webb keep-fit-video moves are acceptable whilst positioned between a Hull player kicking a penalty and the goalposts?

I'd dearly love to see the results of some of you sitting even the basic test that forms part of the coaching exam

In fact rlTry thisrl

It's an Aussie site but it's on The International Laws of the Gamerl]

I prefer to sit in my armchair making trite comments - it's much less effort.

Whilst I didn't think he had a good match I always feel sorry for someone who is, ultimately, doing his/her best (whether we think that's good enough or not) and they get the sort of reaction they get. I stand by one of my earlier comments where I reckoned a lot of his decisions would actually have been correct even though we thought they were horribly wrong.

Also, imagine if his children/parents/partner were there worrying when they saw him get injured and yet hearing the crowd cheer at it and then boo him off the field. Not nice...

Like the east stand at Poorhouse Lane going mental when Long was prone on the floor

16/20 to start with. Will keep going!

Yes it's difficult isn't it. It's the nuances - balls passing over lines in the air and being blown back but hitting corner posts for example.

I've got 70% so far and I don't see it getting much better. I'm pretty sure I'd be booed off by the FC supporters (although actually, they probably wouldn't know the ones I've got wrong anyway so maybe they'd be happy with my overall performance and buy me a pint).

27/40. Getting into James Child territory

you don't mean he's getting into Fred Lindop territory do you?

29/40, there are some bloody strange laws in our game!