Has the RFL have made alterations to how our game is refereed in the last couple of years - allowing teams more time to clear the ruck area?



It seems to me that they have. Perhaps in order to stop constant whilstleblowing for play the ball infringements or maybe even in an attempt to make games tighter, closer affairs.

This, as an idea probably seems/seemed like a positive step for the game and I think scorelines have become tighter, but the consequence, to me, seems to be much much worse - that SL games have become awfulling frustrating affairs to watch in the main. It feels like an eternity of time is spent on the ground these days and you can hear the crowd grow in frustration as each second ticks by while players struggle to get up and play the ball.



I'm convinced that something has changed, and that this, more so than the "devalued" SLeague argument is to blame for the apparant supporter anguish at the moment.



Any thoughts?

The powers that be do seem to be obsessed with making sure the defences are set, can't take a quick tap penalty, can't take a quick tap on the 20 (ok you sort of can but that rule is heavily policed and makes it cack), defenders can lie on for what seems an eternity.

All make for a slower game, also notice Saints form since that started happening.

Can't shoulder charge, biff is a red card, can't drag into touch.



Some rules are crap.

If they want good defences just drag them back 5 instead of 10 and give the defence literally seconds in the ruck so we can speed it up.

Quick tap should be allowed, if the other team switches off that's their fault.

wrestling techniques are used but most SL teams now to slow down the ptb. First introduced noticeably here by Brown at hudds and then taken to the next level with even more niggling by McGuire at Wigan - personally I dislike them and the aussies introduced 2 refs to clean up the ptb.



Idiots like Rogues Gallery like them because it suits wigans style and he believes it 'encourages better halfback play' - he also has a vendetta against any hooker who runs more than twice in a game.

It is ruining the game, as is removing all the biff and shoulder charge (for no good reason).

The shoulder charge is a seperate matter in my opinion. I guess opinion on that will be divided because of the potential for injury. I would have preferred it to be kept legal, but I must admit, I havent noticed it not being in the game.



The wrestling / niggling on the other hand is a game killer.

I have heard Tony Smith make reference to "taking matters in to our own hands" when we are being slowed down, but it's very difficult to do that if the opposition has 6-7 seconds to hold a player down without warning. You sometimes even see players on the ground looking back at their defensive line to check they are all back the 10. If they have time to do that, they have time to get off the player.



It's really grinding me down.

You say it like wire jump off tackle straight away...

If the ref enforced the lying-on infringement, every team would jump off the tackles as you put it. I don't see this as criticism of Bradford's play yesterday, simply the way the game is being 'managed'.

Dont be a knob Enicomb. I'm talking super league in general, not Warrington specific.

The thing that is slowing the game down is players improved fitness and defensive skills.

Almost every tackle is a three man tackle. I remember the days when a three man tackle would get the stands up of its feet, because surely they were all piling in to someone to get some biff going.



Quite simply the more men in the tackle the longer it takes for each one to get off...so its no suprise we are getting slower play the balls



I dont know what the solution is but we had some really slow play the balls yesterday....but then I'm not a fan of the Saints model of playing unopposed rugby ..ie getting ridiculously quick play the balls and running at players who cant touch you and beating no one and being told its entertaining.



somewhere between the two extremes is what most people want.

How about players 'roll away' from the tackle immediately the tackle has been effected. If the acting halfback then deliberately runs at or into a player making a genuine effort to get back into the line, or get himself square, it's playon (maybe even that player is then deemed to be onside and can tackle). And in order to stop a Saints style march up the field with constant dummy half scoots, if the acting halfback moves forward from the PtB and gets caught with the ball (ie doesn't pass it) then it's a turnover regardless of the tackle count.



[size=85I'd just like to point out that I haven't thought this through - just 'thinking' aloud whilst I have a quick coffee break![/size

I remember after the last world cup a lot was made about the speed of the PTB over here compared to the NRL, and a lot of fans thought our quicker PTB and our 'scoot culture' was hindering the development of players with the required skills to unlock a organised defense.



I personally don't have a problem with it as its still possible to get a quick PTB its just you have to earn it. Having said that there's still a major issue around the consistancy of how its policed. Ganson's first job needs to be making sure that a consistant approach by all refs and all fans, players, and coaches are clear on what the interpritation is.

Theres nothing wrong with winning the collision and rubbing the other guy into the floor for a few seconds.... the problem we have now is the gang tackle.. one man makes the tackle, then 3 or 4 pile in.. they then peel off one at a time.



Like someone has already pointed out, Brown and McGuire brought it into our game and it has spread like a cancer.



i dont know how you would go about stopping it now.. looks like its a tactic thats here to stay.. i guess its the evolution of the 'win at all costs' mentality.

as you say, its probably something thats difficult to police, but as a tactic adopted, it can be countered. in the past few years wigans apparent downfall has been against teams with lots of offloads. the many men in the tackle means they are not in the line, therefore a couple of offloads in a set, dragging approximately 6 men into tackles, leaves huge gaps. low percentage play, but what i am saying is maybe the coaches/players should think of ways of getting round that sort of defensive play.