sallywt

I must admit I have only read the last page of this thread so I'm unsure if anyone else has already mentioned this but Peter Gentle gets sacked on the back of Hull FC shipping 76 points last week and to remedy that they appoint the man who was the defensive coach when they shipped those 76 points as head coach. Great decision that ;-)

When was the last time you saw a referee or any match official abuse a player, spectator or club official? As a match official I do not abuse players, spectators or club officials. I always show the utmost respect for them so what makes anyone think it is ok to abuse me or even physically assault me?

You always give whatever is the greatest advantage to the non offending team. In this case the penalty was given for the second offence. The reason play was not stopped at the time was because advantage has to be allowed to see if an advantage is gained by the non offending team. You can also hear Thierry asking the VR for clarification, which according to the protocols we all work by and agreed by the SL coaches he is entirely at that point entitled to do. As for SteveiM13's comment about the sin bin for Crusaders robbing them of a player, the rules are plain and simple that any delay of the 20m restart is an automatic sin bin. Bentham did not send Manu off as it was not a sending off offence as has been shown by the video review panel. He did not sin bin Peter Fox because contrary to popular belief slowing down the ptb is not an automatic sin bin and there is no such thing as a "professional foul", it's another myth put about by tv commentators. The penalty was the correct decision. There are only 2 occasions when an automatic sin bin is allowed and that is a deliberate delay to a 20m restart as in the case of the Crusaders and a late challenge on the kicker. Sorry, but can't remember the particular Tomkins incident you are talking about so can't possibly comment.

Unlike his coach claiming that something nasty had happened to him in back play after he had made the illegal tackle. Haven't heard an apology for that yet have we?

Just making the point that people in glass houses shouldn't throw stones Tim.

In fact Tim, what's it got to do with the Match Officials department at all once the game has finished and the report of the incident has been made. The average rugby league fan has no comprehension of the fact that the match review panel and then disciplinary panel has absolutely nothing to do wth the match officials department and just try to use this lack of understanding as a stick to beat the department with and in doing so show their own prejudices and maybe even stupidity.

You mean like a certain Championship coach does?

The thing that really annoys me is people claiming that as a TJ I am not doing my job correctly when they don't actually know what my job entails or what I should be doing. As for this whole forward pass thing, I really can't say that I've studied the Leeds try in the cup final that closely to be able to say one way or the other however one thing is certain, the touch judge will not have been looking at how the ball travels across the ground as that is irrelevant, he will have been looking at the direction of the hands passing the ball as the passing players obligation is to pass the ball backwards and the laws state: "The direction of a pass is relative to the player making it and not to the actual path relative to the ground. A player running towards his opponents

So who can tell me exactly what a TJ's job involves?

No, I'm saying they are not linesmen

This is a rugby league forum and as such we discuss rugby league matters. We do not have linesmen, we have touch judges. That being the case exactly how do you judge if they have missed something as you claim?

Can't it? The direction of a pass is relative to the player making it and not to the actual path relative to the ground. A player running towards his opponents

We attend every year regardless of who is in the final. Lots of people do. It's a great weekend away close to the end of what has been a long hard season for some of us.

I got booked last Friday, 3 nights at the Mercure in the centre of town for

Already got my tickets sorted but that's because I get one of the best seats in the house

Rumour has it that Jack Howieson is going to make a surprise come back tonight.

Maybe so but to include the Neath matches in that trend would be at best short sighted. There are also other trends to take into account like the fact that the gates for Friday and Saturday evening are much better than those for Sunday afternoons and have been all through the season.

Deepest sympathies to Paul, their boys and all the family. Our thoughts and prayers are with you at this sad time.

Not according to the Mirror: http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/most-popular...15875-22477641/

Don't you think that is just a tad hypocritical? You won't watch the SL because there is no promotion or relegation and yet you will watch the NRL where there is NO promotion and relegation. Personally I'm sick to death of hypocritical numpties but maybe that's just me.

Your now is growing again Mick. it's gone from one alleged schools game to several now has it? I know for a fact that you have never picked up a whistle in the middle of a game. You do know that it doesn't become true the more you say it and the more you exagerate it don't you.

Nah, in order to become a ref you have to qualify and the first step is to take a course. Mick has never done this despite several invitations. I have and actually go out and do the job, not just talk about it.

me

Don't bother making that assumption as Wales play England in Cardiff on the 4th. It is going to be either the following weekend or the one after that. Wales don't have another home game until March.

If it's correct then sounds like a good idea to me. Great way to start the season off. One thing is for sure, it won't be the first weekend in February as Wales are playing England at home. Fingers crossed it isn't the 2nd one as that's Valentines weekend. For me it's fingers crossed for the last weekend in January but purely for personal reasons. Just hope they get on and make the official announcement so that we can start making arrangements. With a bit of luck accommodation will be cheaper at that time of the year and all you have to do is wrap up more warmly. Not too difficult that is it.