phiggins

I'm not sure it is the case that all VR calls that take a while are because they are marginal. I think some, less experienced VRs seem to want to have an extra look or two when the decision is already pretty clear. Compare to Ben Thaler, who more often than not is very decisive and doesn't take too long. But as refs get more experienced that will hopefully change. Yes, there will be rants, and bitter posts. Though, ironically, the example you give on Notts Forest was them posting about decisions made by VAR!

Is it something like the on field ref asks the video ref "any reason to disallow" if he thinks it's a try, or "Is it a try, yes or no" if they were unsighted in RU? Would be much better than what we have. The whole point of VR is to support referees, who can't be expected to see everything, but then we expect them to make a call anyway.

Trouble is, some of the video refs currently agonise over decisions, before just stating that there isn't enough evidence to return. Then we also have the VR stoppages because players are staying down after any head contact. Not sure adding more stoppages is the way forward. I know it won't happen, but I'd much prefer scrapping the video ref full stop. Have the referee officiate on the day, then use the MRP for any necessary action for incidents that have been missed.

As well as the media leak, I think there can also be questions about how conversations between clubs have collapsed because the individual has said he's not interested. I know fans get hot under the collar about tapping up when it is their club's people in question, but almost any other club (in any sport) would've gauged the individual's interest, before making such a big offer to their club. Myler and Hull clearly didn't gauge Rowley's interest very well.

Yep, i worded it badly, but that was exactly why I don't think Wakefield would be going in with an overinflated offer for Holmes, rather than a suggestion that they couldn't match such an offer. You might make him an offer as a backup or bench prop, but your big offers are going to the likes of McMeeken and Johnstone.

Possibly, but now it's more a question of what other offers he gets elsewhere, rather than his current contract. If he's on an inflated contract at Leigh, I can't see likes of Wakefield matching that. If Leigh offered reduced terms, it might be his best option.

I think Holmes suffered from a perception of how many minutes that he can play last year, after moving to prop. When really it was just Lam's policy to have Amone, Mulhern and Asiata on for as long as possible. I'd like to see him stay, non-quota middles seem to be at a premium at the moment, but his age and injury record this year could make it difficult for the club to decide where to pitch any contract offer in terms of value and contract length. I suspect Hughes and Hardaker are the ones on big contracts. My guess would be Hughes will be offered reduced terms (whether he accepts them is another matter) while Hardaker will move on.

https://x.com/AaronBower/status/1782798844377399591

Trouble with penalising players going to ground is that you will almost guarantee a repeat set with any sort of kick to the corner. In those instances, the defending team gets a bit longer to setup from the surrender tackle and are in a good position to pen a team in. Agree on the VR, I personally would like to see it scrapped. And I think with all the negative noise about VAR in football, it would be a good time to scrap it. If we do keep VR, I'd bring something in to deter defending teams from trying to influence the referee when they're about to make a decision or on field decision for the video ref. If a player approaches the referee before he's made his decision, or completed the referral, then the play will restart with a 20 metre tap to the opposition, regardless of the outcome of the video check. I'd also give referees the power to give yellow cards to players if they think they're trying to referee the game on their behalf. When both Jai Field and Bevan French gave the sin bin signal to the ref after a trip on Good Friday, I wouldn't have had any problem with the ref saying, "you want a yellow card, there you go!"

That play at the end, he might have had a chance if he'd gone straight away and kept low, but he got himself upright and went straight into two defenders. Worst possible option. Also thought he was wrong to go right to McNamara when Ashton got the intercept which changed the momentum of the game. Some very good defence, some poor passes by Leigh, but also 6 very good tries imo.

Yep. A lot made of their departures, but Shorrocks and MacDonald were excellent signings, and Mellor also a very shrewd signing.

Just seen that about Chamberlain. That one does make sense to me, he does need to be playing regularly, and it's not going to happen at Leigh now. In fact, if none of these deals were happening, I could see a situation where Briscoe would come in if one of our centres got injured, rather than Chamberlain.

If it does create room on the salary cap, then it makes it a good deal for us. Will have to judge it in context of what other deals get done. Hopefully we can still offload Nakubuwai and then bring someone in that improves the starting 13.

I'm finding it a bit of a puzzler to be honest. Big questions about McIntosh are, is he any good at full back? Would he get in the team on the wing? Are we likely to be able to keep Hanley next year and beyond?

I don't think it would be too big a gamble for Rowley. If it doesn't work out, plenty will believe the issues led beyond the coach and his reputation won't take too much of a hit. Just a case of whether he personally wants to work in Hull