Bridging gap between SL & NL and GB & Aus...

[robjoenz]

When you watch a SL game you expect to see little tolerance to messing around at the ruck. When you watch a NL1/2 game, on the other hand you expect there to be lots of messing about - it's commonly accepted.

Can this gap in standards begin to be bridged by tightening up on technical areas of the game? When Klein refereed Widnes versus Castleford he refereed it like a SL game, and it was a good game, both sides played like SL sides. However, if you were to watch Workington versus Hunslet, for example, you'd see a lot more tolerance from the referee at areas such as lying on and leaving hands in at the ruck. Basically, the game is played at the standard of the poorest side.



Taking this into SL, you may have Saint Helens playing Salford. Saints would continuously put Salford on the back foot tiring them out. As they tired they'd take longer to get up from each tackle thus slowing down Saint Helens.

Now, a side like Saint Helens play off the back of their fast plays putting constant pressure on their opponents waiting for a crack to form. Allowing a slower side a bit of leeway completely negates this. Saints would, of course, be allowed the same luxury in the tackle but it plays to the lowest common denominator.



If, in GB, games are played to the lowest common denominator how are GB ever going to improve to compete with the Aussies? It'd require the lesser sides to get better but how will they get better if games are played at their lower standards?

[cpwigan]

The only flaw with that theory Rob is that SL POTB are faster than the NRL. The NRL sacrifice speed for tidiness. So in the NRL there is less mayhem and far less scooting. This means NRL players have to score by passing the ball and often v defences that have regrouped. So maybe that is why Aus are better than GB. Maybe our players can only play when the POTB is crazily fast and the gaps are there for them to simply scoot through. When asked to pass their way to the try line they are found wanting.

[robjoenz]

True, their PTBs are slower. However, do you not think this has a part to play in the difference in standard between SL & NL and even between the top 3 & bottom 3 in SL?

NL PTBs are neither fast nor tidy, similarly the lower SL sides try and beat the better SL sides by slowing them down at the ruck.

Do you not think the standard of NL would increase if the same expectations were placed on their players as are placed on SL players thus creating a broader pool of talent. If there were more sides that played like Saints it would all help to promote new ideas and increase the overall standard of the GB game?

[cpwigan]

Possibly Rob. It is a very difficult thing to do. My late father was indifferent to reaction from others and never bowed to such pressures. So when he officiated in the odd football match he took the view he would penalise whatever he saw worth penalising and if it took place in the 1st or 90th minute he would make the same decision. The last match he ever refereed, he awarded 9 penalties against 1 team

I think it has more to do with the sheer lack of quality available as regards players. You look around and there are so many players who have played for umpteen clubs that they think come what may a club will pick them up and give them a living. There is no pressure upon them to be the best that they can in terms of skills and discipline. Roberts is a classic example for Oldham. One solution would be to clean up the game in those division physically and maybe adopt a feeder system whereby SL clubs loaned out more young players who would be more responsive to the change you seek. Teaching old dogs new tricks is not easy.

I simply think we do not have enough quality players in Britain and one day somebody may wonder what was done with the Murdoch money bar the clubs taking their cuts and wasting it.

[Nobbylad]

The point your making resembles the main reason why my dad hardly ever pays attention to RL. He's more of a footy fan anyway, but constantly goes on about the lack consistency in how the games are officiated. IMO, there will always be some variance accross games at each level, as there is in any human judged sport. But surely large differences between the levels is a bad thing and steps must be taken to tighten these up? I'm sure theres much more qualified people on here that could suggest how. Just can't see the point in allowing poor teams to be poor. Interesting point made Mr. Jones!

[right cross]

imo we need more refs like mr thaler because he lets the game flow ,and yes he lets the odd petty little thing go but does so for both sides ,the kliens and gansons are only another thorn in the side adding number of reasons why GB are 3rd in the world .

if football had video refs do you think that anyone would allow a vid ref to come from the same town as one of the sides he was involved in ? it woudd be frount page news on sunday .RL does [ganson] and gets away with it .but thats just one example ,wished someone would take are great sport by the scruff of the neck and sort it out .

as for are own talent ,it is there but the powers that be at junior level are dire ,year after year the same ,something as to change ,new blood at the top or a blimin good rethink on how to nurture this young talent being wasted