Benefit of the doubt

[cpwigan]

As Dave O has mentioned the problem is that under our present rules it was a try which makes the rules a farce. The rulemakers seem to always make rules to favour attack. No need to.

It has not happened yet but can you imagine a challenge cup final or grand final, scores lever, 2 minutes left etc and a benefit of the doubt scenario.

[Big Steve]

1) the linesman said he though the ball came loose.

2) Klein said to the vid ref that he thought Gidley hadn't grounded it - you can hear it on the sky coverage

3) the vid ref couldn't see any sign of the ball being grounding

so what do you do ?

Of course - award a try !!!


What a joke.

[robjoenz]

The defensive effort to stop Gidley was monumental and deserved rewarding. Nobody can say if he scored or not so why award a try when there is not even a hint of a try?

...but on the same note the attacking effort from Gidley was equally as good to get into the position he did under such strong defence.

The problem for me was that Ash offers Ian Smith his opinion on the incident which was that Gidley was held up. The video offers no clue either way which means you're guessing. Often a referee will go to the VR if he's got the slightest doubt in his mind, so he may be 95 % it's not a try but then the VR will have to give a try because of benefit of the doubt. I think SL needs Refs Call like in NRL.

[Hawkeye]

What got me mad about the decision was..i always thought u go to the video ref when the on field ref and linesmen dont have any idea of the outcome..In this case that was not true. the lines man can be clear heard saying he thought matt gidley dropped it..the ref IMO should go with the linesmans opinion.MORE and more the the lines men are being pushed out the game..if that was not televised the ref would have gone with the lines mans opinion..only because they had video reply was that try given.

[robjoenz]

What got me mad about the decision was..i always thought u go to the video ref when the on field ref and linesmen dont have any idea of the outcome..In this case that was not true. the lines man can be clear heard saying he thought matt gidley dropped it..the ref IMO should go with the linesmans opinion.

When the on-field officials (ref and TJs) are uncertain they send it upstairs. The problem is with the current procedure, going to the VR takes the decision away from the on-field officials and places it on the VR

MORE and more the the lines men are being pushed out the game..

Nah

if that was not televised the ref would have gone with the lines mans opinion..only because they had video reply was that try given

True - but I think Klein would have ruled it out himself rather than even going to the TJ.

[fatlighty]

Do you think Smith could get some Saints games next year off the back of his decision.

[exile in Tiger country]

the TJ thought it was a knock on and klown could be heard on SKY saying to the VR "If it helps, I think he was held up." Surely the VR should then go with the ref?

[shaunedwardsfanclub]

The RFL has obviously introduced new rules, those deployed in american football! It seems that a try will now be awarded for promoting the ball over the try line rather than grounding it. I was in direct line with Gidley last night and I can assure you that he never grounded that ball. When are we going to get some favourable decisions?

[Exiled Wiganer]

Having seen the passage of play leading up to the doubtful try and the try itself, it seems to me that Klown and Smith were on a mission to ensure they scored a try. 2 doubtful penalties and a knock on and a decsion which the 2 officials closer to the action both thought was a no try must go down as a fantastic double act.
In the second half, again we were penalised at every turn. Skints have turned milking penalties into an art form - holding the tackler down and drawling off the mark. And Klown fell for it time and time again.

[cpwigan]

Sorry Rob, the effort required on a wet day to run 5 yards or less and score does not compare to effort required to stop that player scoring.

Here is a paradox of modern day RL officiating. Anywhere else on the field of play, if the referee and touch judge cannot see something they do not award it. Once over the try line the rules are suddenly transformed, if you cannot see something, award a try.

Had Gidley been in front of the try line the TJ would have said knock on and/or the referee would have said held. Yet, the goalpoasts shift because getting over the try line allows officials to clear themselves of the responsibility to make a decision.

The VR is not a panacea and whether you agree or disagree it makes officials lazy because the way officiating is taught you are told if X happens, do Y