Sale v Exeter - Spoiler Alert

[Bloke in North Dorset]

Not a bad game but yet another red card for someone going in for a clear out. Again difficult to argue with in the current climate of protecting players.

I hope the guys are watching this and learning, we really don't need to lose another player for 3 or 4 games for a red card.

[backdoc]

It must be difficult for Exeter, as they have been coached to do this for the last 5 or so seasons.

[MarleyWasp]

For those who haven't seen it: https://twitter.com/btsportrugby/status/1365397581094912000?s=08

[Peej]

But at the same time, if refs aren't going to make sure only one player is putting his hands in the ruck, is supporting their bodyweight and keeping their feet, this is what players have to do to clear.

Exeter have always been pretty bad at this, but I actually thought the contact was on Yeandle's upper arm rather than his shoulder

[wasps]

We can't have it both ways.

We want the laws applied properly, and we don't want players diving at rucks leading with shoulders.

To stop players doing that, we often say "start showing red cards and they'll soon stop doing it"


That's what refs are doing now, so don't start calling the reds debatable.

What's debatable are the other incidents where players get away with it

[mike909]

Agree with the above. It was yet another reffing performance that in one way made such an incident more likely. The ref may as well have played Law 15 bingo....hands in rucks, people over the ball/not over the ball (doing the same thing, penalty/no penalty)

And add to that a bottled yellow at the end.....

[wasps]

I often think there's a general problem that rugby wants to be seen as entertainment, but pinging all offenses at the breakdown will make for a very stop/start game

Referees are criticised for being whistle heavy (CMK), whereas others are praised for allowing lots of offences to go unpunished and allowing the game to flow (Barnes, Owens)


Players largely don't care about the spectacle. They want to win and will continue trying to get away with things where they can get an advantage

Referees don't see everything, but typically choose to let some things go based on guidance and in the name of entertainment



Getting that balance right is incredibly difficult.
It feels like the guidance right now is to be stricter on the areas that can directly cause injuries to the head, and that's not a terrible thing


Referees can't do this alone. If the game wants a cleaner breakdown, the clubs and players need to start it. The players need to be coached to obey the laws rather than bend them, the players need to try to stay within the laws, then the officials can penalise those that overstep the mark without every game resulting in a whistlefest.

The alternative will be lots of boring games and complaints of everything becoming a kick fest and being won by penalties.
And/or referees giving cards for minor breakdown offenses.


It really has become a mess

[Neils]

Agreed the game has become a total mess - from game to game.

The referees need to apply all the laws as they were laid down because players and coaches are evolving the game away from where it is intended to be. These days referees are not on their own with usually silent touch people and a TMO who seem to get varying amount of use depending on the actual ref.

Either the laws of rugby are fully adhered to or just rip them up and take what comes. I suspect with the head injury cases to come a great amount will be changed as a result. For the sake of the game the current official teams must work together and apply what is laid down and not alter as they collectively see fit.

Rant over.

[Shugs]

What struck me was how Exeter's front row now seems to be diminished. Harry Williams looked bemused the whole game.