Back chat

[Phil]

There's getting to be far too much of it, players waving their arms around and shouting at the officials. Halley recently screaming at a touch judge for example. It doesn't happen in union where players are still quiet and respectful.

Lets have it cut out, there's a law that caters for it, why isn't it applied?

[ckn]

There's getting to be far too much of it, players waving their arms around and shouting at the officials. Halley recently screaming at a touch judge for example. It doesn't happen in union where players are still quiet and respectful.

Lets have it cut out, there's a law that caters for it, why isn't it applied?

For me, this is a consistency issue. If you watch Ganson ref, players rarely mouth off at him because he has a reputation of being strict on this issue, compare that with other refs who allow all sorts to be rattled off at them before occasionally deciding enough is enough.

On the union issue, I take it you've not watched too many union games then! The only time they're not griping at the ref is when they're trying to minimise the punishment they get when clearly caught doing nasty stuff.

[paley]

Unfortunately rugby, unlike union, isn't perfect.

[Phil]

On the union issue, I take it you've not watched too many union games then! The only time they're not griping at the ref is when they're trying to minimise the punishment they get when clearly caught doing nasty stuff.

You're right I don't watch union much, why should I? I'm willing to concede that point, but we're in danger of losing our reputation as a sport where the officials have respect.

[Wendall]

Wellens is the biggest culprit I think, cant stand they way he waves his arms everytime a try is scored against his beloved Saints!

[saintsbird]

Wellens is the biggest culprit I think, cant stand they way he waves his arms everytime a try is scored against his beloved Saints!

When Wello does it when someone scores for the opposition its more frustration either in himself or the Saints players. its not aimed at the referree.

Anyway Briers is far worse than wello

[sallywt]

You should be very careful when assuming that what you see on the screen and what the commentators tell you is abuse of an official. There was an occasion last year when the commentators were going mad and it really looked like Eastmond was giving the ref a right mouthful when in fact what he said was something completely different and it could be heard on the officials copy of the dvd. I agree, if they mouth off, then penalty, then 10 and if they persist beyond that sin bin. No other option.

[oldman]

Wellens is the biggest culprit I think, cant stand they way he waves his arms everytime a try is scored against his beloved Saints!

There are a lot worse than Wellens and you have the champ (or is it chump?) in Briers.

[Saint Billinge]

There are a lot worse than Wellens and you have the champ (or is it chump?) in Briers.

Agreed.

[Phil]

I'm not really interested in picking out indivduals or saying so and so is worse the wotsisname. Sometimes its perfectly obvious they're dissenting and they should be penalised for it.

[Blind side johnny]

I'm not really interested in picking out indivduals or saying so and so is worse the wotsisname. Sometimes its perfectly obvious they're dissenting and they should be penalised for it.

Agreed. One of the key principles of our game that makes (made?) us proud to support it has been the respect that players show towards referees. If that is lost then the game will be much the worse for it.

Another bugbear of mine (being an old codger) is players throwing the ball away. In the "good old days" there was just the match ball in use and the referee would make the culprit of such acts of petulance go and fetch it. The sight of a prop forward trudging his way down the pitch like a naughty schoolboy always brought gales of laughte

r; and taught a lesson at the same time.

[HappyDave]

How many times were Leeds penalised for dissent last night? Hold yer gobs lads. I know they were playing shi*e but the shouldn't take their frustrations out on the ref as it just led to them getting penalised loads for their stupidity.

[hindle xiii]

Menzies got binned for it last night I think.

With back chat it is purely up to the officials to decide because 1. they have an idea of what was said, 2. the personality behind the whistle will decide if it was unnecessary.

[Bitofaboogie]

How many times were Leeds penalised for dissent last night? Hold yer gobs lads. I know they were playing shi*e but the shouldn't take their frustrations out on the ref as it just led to them getting penalised loads for their stupidity.

And about time too!

Leeds are the worst for gobbing by a mile and usually little is done about it.

Let's have some more, that's what I say!

[HappyDave]

'Gobbing'? Urgh! Filthy habit. :-D