Dave T

He doesn't really say anything too interesting. He wants consulting. His main gripe appears to be around the difference between the NRL and the UK game. So is his suggestion that we just have to fall in line with the NRL irrespective of what the RFL believe is right?

The more I think about this, the more I come to the conclusion that the players are being absolute A-holes. Let's be honest here - Watts is an absolute liability, ad as much as the mob at Cas have mastered the shocked face when he gets sent off (from the players to the coaching team) - it was a high tackle with the shoulder to the head. He will get whatever punishment he deserves. Same with McIlorum at Catalans. The Hull FC lad was an absolute idiot, and whilst the knee to the head one was more debateable, there was recklessness there, but it needs to play out at disciplinary. I do have some sympathy with any criticism of the Harry Smith incident, but if that is leading to talking about players going on strike then they are just showing themselves up to be honest. As was asked earlier, what exactly is it they are complaining about? "Not being consulted" is a lazy catch-all.

I must admit, the post you quoted did make me chuckle for the same reason.

Me neither mate, but if I'm honest, I think as the governing body, they have a responsibility to listen to the best experts and I don't think that means players. That isn't to be dismissive of them, I think instead of keep moaning about this stuff they should form a union and stick to it.

I expect any legal case would be based around whether processes were followed rather than whether Fozzard supported it back in the day.

spot on. Let's be honest, if Fozzard and Goulding had a voice when they played, they'd have been asking for it to be like the Wild West.

I do wonder whether there is a case for wholesale changes in our 'punishment' structure. Maybe move more like football - red card, say 2 match ban, yellows accumulate. We move on and avoid the drama. Or, maybe we accept that this is all part of the sporting soap opera.

That's cool, but that aint owt to do with Mark Wilson telling us clumsily what is happening in Castleford while we wait for another VR review in Catalans.

I've just watched it again in slow mo, and you see that the movement just prior to contact was MM rising, he is springing himself up into the player. I don't see any mitigation tbh. Agree on things settling, whether that is lowering or it becoming the new normal.

I think that's my view - the reason they ahve to be encouraged to bend their back/leg is because of the risk that a player may end up going lower as they are tackled by somebody else. That isn't some kind of unknown phenomenon. If a 6ft 3inch player stands tall and hits somebody in the head with his shoulder, then there is no mitigation imo. That absolutely has to be the starter.

Well, if anything was gonna unite the posters on this thread....

What is about to explode? Online betting has been a thing for years, and it has nothing to do with Sky. We don't have the NRL approach where they have huge betting sections in the build up.

That isn't relevant. THe updates are sporadic, delayed and sometimes muddled. These are not gambling updates.

To be fair, the Wigan v Cas game was originally going to be Saturday afternoon and Catalans v Wire in the evening. That felt quite a nice schedule (accepting that Friday's will be the day for overlaps if they are to stay). We really should avoid clashes outside of Fridays.

I must admit, despite more RL on TV than ever, I was disappointed that there were no games on Sunday

Yes (they did try red button for a week or two around 15-20 years ago). Last year, they moved all games to 8pm Friday, but only showed one. This weekend was a new way of broadcasting RL - it is fair to question whether what we used to do is still fit for purpose in the new model.

They did that for a spell, I enjoyed that element on a Friday - I think it was a challenge in RL because often there is too much happening to be able to do that without it being a distraction. I expect that's the reason that was canned.

So this is the only time they have given scores for a game they also have on another channel.

ON this point specifically - you are correct that it is more niche, the point about this is that these apps are all about sports broadcasting and they acknowledge that spoilers are a real thing. A slightly different point for me is that I don't actually think many of our commentators are slick enough to be able to link into it nicely. With some of the updates on Saturday night, it felt rather dated, not unlike listening to the Rugby on the wireless. Even ignoring my preference about not knowing, it jarred with me tbh.

On the flip side here, and we are both making assumptions based on our preferences, but if Wilson hadn't stopped talking about the Catalans v Wire game to tell us that Wigan had taken the lead in Castleford and that Watts had been red carded, I'm not sure anyone would have batted an eyelid.

I agree. In terms of the discipline issue, I think people are going over the top. Of the red cards, I think the high tackles were broadly fine, I thought the knee to the head was slightly unlucky as more reckless and I don't think he was intending to hit his head. In fact there could have been an argument for more reds. One of the things that will come from the new tv deal is that all of these incidents are now seen in full HD and scrutinised by us all. Which is a great thing, but likely to lead to more focus on these controversial incidents.

I think if you stand tall and make no attempt to bend your back/knees, then you have no mitigation. I genuinely believe that has to be the starting point tbh.

Sky have only done what we are talking about twice now in RL. Last Friday and Saturday.

Just because something isn't an issue for you personally doesn't mean it isn't an issue. It's perfectly valid to disagree and actually want score updates for other games, I get it, but going down the route of claiming the alternative is for people to leave Sky or that there is no such thing as spoilers on live sport is bizarre. And companies are still out there offering spoiler free developments on their broadcasting apps, because, well, it's a thing.

One diacussion at a time Tommy