Say your team is probably going to meet some other team (from next door) in the later stages. Their supporters are all watching your pool games, with an interest not even reserved for their boring inept f'king team..basically in the hope of contriving a massive shit show and outrage on social media and tv, about refereeing decisions during your matches, and everytime you win, in the hope that your team (having been let off or seen as lucky etc) will be massively over reffed when these two teams meet.
Is this some sort of tactic amongst supporters?
A way of the media and opposition supporters to hugely influence the ref down the line and create narratives that suit their team, and give them an advantage?
Otherwise why give a shit?
Are Refs influenced by controversy and outrage?
-
- Posts: 1148
- Joined: Sat Jul 04, 2020 9:31 am
Last edited by Line6 HXFX on Mon Sep 18, 2023 8:50 am, edited 3 times in total.
ER bait….Line6 HXFX wrote: Mon Sep 18, 2023 8:45 am Say your team is probably going to meet some other team (from next door) in the later stages. Their supporters are all watching your pool games, with an interest not even reserved for their boring inept f'king team..basically in the hope of contriving a massive shit show and outrage on social media and tv, about refering decisions during your matches, and everytime you win, in the hope that your team (having been let off or seen as lucky etc) will be massively over reffed when these two teams meet.
Is this some sort of tactic amongst supporters, to just create shit?
A way of the media and opposition supporters to hugely influence the ref down the line?
Otherwise why give a shit?
You've just described the Alex Ferguson approach!Sandstorm wrote: Mon Sep 18, 2023 8:46 amER bait….Line6 HXFX wrote: Mon Sep 18, 2023 8:45 am Say your team is probably going to meet some other team (from next door) in the later stages. Their supporters are all watching your pool games, with an interest not even reserved for their boring inept f'king team..basically in the hope of contriving a massive shit show and outrage on social media and tv, about refering decisions during your matches, and everytime you win, in the hope that your team (having been let off or seen as lucky etc) will be massively over reffed when these two teams meet.
Is this some sort of tactic amongst supporters, to just create shit?
A way of the media and opposition supporters to hugely influence the ref down the line?
Otherwise why give a shit?
-
- Posts: 1148
- Joined: Sat Jul 04, 2020 9:31 am
The Australian supporters all over social media, and tv pundits, will be constantly going on about how lucky Wales were not to get 12 yellow cards..against Fiji.this week, and like it is the biggest injustice since the Guilford 4.
In two or three weeks, the English media will be doing the same thing x 1000.
I am just looking for some meaning to this madness.
How influential is all this? And (if true) isn't it all a bit cunty?
In two or three weeks, the English media will be doing the same thing x 1000.
I am just looking for some meaning to this madness.
How influential is all this? And (if true) isn't it all a bit cunty?
-
- Posts: 2442
- Joined: Tue Jun 30, 2020 4:04 pm
Lucky to escape yellow seems to be missing the point.
I think it has in general for years. Fans complain about refs 'ruining' matches, despite players openly talking about playing on the edge of the laws, pushing the threshold to where all kinds of shenanigans go unpunished because refs are under pressure to let things flow. We'll jump on them first before calling a player an idiot for giving away dumb penalties/getting carded (unless it's a serial offending England player, of course).
100%Niegs wrote: Mon Sep 18, 2023 3:30 pm I think it has in general for years. Fans complain about refs 'ruining' matches, despite players openly talking about playing on the edge of the laws, pushing the threshold to where all kinds of shenanigans go unpunished because refs are under pressure to let things flow. We'll jump on them first before calling a player an idiot for giving away dumb penalties/getting carded (unless it's a serial offending England player, of course).
All the money you made will never buy back your soul
- Torquemada 1420
- Posts: 12016
- Joined: Thu Jul 02, 2020 8:22 am
- Location: Hut 8
There's a distinction to be had between "excessive" reffing interventions and refs who consistently only officiate one team: usually the smaller one.Niegs wrote: Mon Sep 18, 2023 3:30 pm I think it has in general for years. Fans complain about refs 'ruining' matches, despite players openly talking about playing on the edge of the laws, pushing the threshold to where all kinds of shenanigans go unpunished because refs are under pressure to let things flow. We'll jump on them first before calling a player an idiot for giving away dumb penalties/getting carded (unless it's a serial offending England player, of course).
In every game so far I have seen refs miss obvious penalties and cried foul, however every game so far has been reffed very well and overall I think the standard of referee has been excellent. Its a tough job, probably the hardest on the pitch and the refs are probably doing more running than any player with no chance of being subbed if they get tired, whilst wired up with christ knows what technology tied to your back, listening to someone in their ear phone all the time, having 30 grown men complaining and swearing on the pitch all at once, a partisan crowd making huge noises and knowing full well every decision they make will be scrutinised in slow motion from 10 different angles by dozens of past it players from a different era and every rugby supporter in the world! Never ever complain about a ref unless you are willing to do it yourself! I tried many years and it is feckin difficult.
I find it pretty easy, but it’s mostly teens who don’t know all the ways to cheat, with just a few spectators, and I’m blissfully aware of most of my cockups … so you do have a point.dpedin wrote: Tue Sep 19, 2023 6:05 am In every game so far I have seen refs miss obvious penalties and cried foul, however every game so far has been reffed very well and overall I think the standard of referee has been excellent. Its a tough job, probably the hardest on the pitch and the refs are probably doing more running than any player with no chance of being subbed if they get tired, whilst wired up with christ knows what technology tied to your back, listening to someone in their ear phone all the time, having 30 grown men complaining and swearing on the pitch all at once, a partisan crowd making huge noises and knowing full well every decision they make will be scrutinised in slow motion from 10 different angles by dozens of past it players from a different era and every rugby supporter in the world! Never ever complain about a ref unless you are willing to do it yourself! I tried many years and it is feckin difficult.

… but why not go NFL style and have a small team? Two on-field refs in the pockets behind the breakdown and ARs able to call in things and not just make recommendations.
The first time someone throws a silk hanky on the pitch, I’m out!!!Niegs wrote: Tue Sep 19, 2023 6:21 amI find it pretty easy, but it’s mostly teens who don’t know all the ways to cheat, with just a few spectators, and I’m blissfully aware of most of my cockups … so you do have a point.dpedin wrote: Tue Sep 19, 2023 6:05 am In every game so far I have seen refs miss obvious penalties and cried foul, however every game so far has been reffed very well and overall I think the standard of referee has been excellent. Its a tough job, probably the hardest on the pitch and the refs are probably doing more running than any player with no chance of being subbed if they get tired, whilst wired up with christ knows what technology tied to your back, listening to someone in their ear phone all the time, having 30 grown men complaining and swearing on the pitch all at once, a partisan crowd making huge noises and knowing full well every decision they make will be scrutinised in slow motion from 10 different angles by dozens of past it players from a different era and every rugby supporter in the world! Never ever complain about a ref unless you are willing to do it yourself! I tried many years and it is feckin difficult.![]()
… but why not go NFL style and have a small team? Two on-field refs in the pockets behind the breakdown and ARs able to call in things and not just make recommendations.
Please count me in too.Gumboot wrote: Tue Sep 19, 2023 7:01 am I'm with Niegs, the NFL has a lot going for it, not least the accuracy and speed of the officiating. If more onfield officials improves the game and largely takes ever more intrusive TMOs out of it, then count me in.
My issue with it is that it takes away the whole rugby thing of "ref is the sole judge etc". I find it quite sad we are going down this route but I suppose that's quite twee now.Kiwias wrote: Tue Sep 19, 2023 7:06 amPlease count me in too.Gumboot wrote: Tue Sep 19, 2023 7:01 am I'm with Niegs, the NFL has a lot going for it, not least the accuracy and speed of the officiating. If more onfield officials improves the game and largely takes ever more intrusive TMOs out of it, then count me in.
All the money you made will never buy back your soul
And I thought I was old.Slick wrote: Tue Sep 19, 2023 8:47 amMy issue with it is that it takes away the whole rugby thing of "ref is the sole judge etc". I find it quite sad we are going down this route but I suppose that's quite twee now.Kiwias wrote: Tue Sep 19, 2023 7:06 amPlease count me in too.Gumboot wrote: Tue Sep 19, 2023 7:01 am I'm with Niegs, the NFL has a lot going for it, not least the accuracy and speed of the officiating. If more onfield officials improves the game and largely takes ever more intrusive TMOs out of it, then count me in.

That's your 5th and final warning for punching!
All the money you made will never buy back your soul
-
- Posts: 9348
- Joined: Tue Jun 30, 2020 11:48 am
We've been moving closer and closer to that anyway. We've gone from touch judges to assistant referees and referring to a team of officials.
With the pace of the modern game and a desire to actually get things right, it's clear that one person simply can't keep track of everything.
With the pace of the modern game and a desire to actually get things right, it's clear that one person simply can't keep track of everything.
I warned you all in 2011 that HD camera replays would show what is actually happening in a ruck and the fan's bitching would increase exponentially!sockwithaticket wrote: Tue Sep 19, 2023 9:18 am We've been moving closer and closer to that anyway. We've gone from touch judges to assistant referees and referring to a team of officials.
With the pace of the modern game and a desire to actually get things right, it's clear that one person simply can't keep track of everything.

- Insane_Homer
- Posts: 5529
- Joined: Tue Jun 30, 2020 3:14 pm
- Location: Leafy Surrey
Who'd have thunk you'd be the one with the persecution complexLine6 HXFX wrote: Mon Sep 18, 2023 8:45 am Say your team is probably going to meet some other team (from next door) in the later stages. Their supporters are all watching your pool games, with an interest not even reserved for their boring inept f'king team..basically in the hope of contriving a massive shit show and outrage on social media and tv, about refereeing decisions during your matches, and everytime you win, in the hope that your team (having been let off or seen as lucky etc) will be massively over reffed when these two teams meet.
Is this some sort of tactic amongst supporters?
A way of the media and opposition supporters to hugely influence the ref down the line and create narratives that suit their team, and give them an advantage?
Otherwise why give a shit?
“Facts are meaningless. You could use facts to prove anything that's even remotely true.”
PerspectiveInsane_Homer wrote: Tue Sep 19, 2023 5:30 pmWho'd have thunk you'd be the one with the persecution complexLine6 HXFX wrote: Mon Sep 18, 2023 8:45 am Say your team is probably going to meet some other team (from next door) in the later stages. Their supporters are all watching your pool games, with an interest not even reserved for their boring inept f'king team..basically in the hope of contriving a massive shit show and outrage on social media and tv, about refereeing decisions during your matches, and everytime you win, in the hope that your team (having been let off or seen as lucky etc) will be massively over reffed when these two teams meet.
Is this some sort of tactic amongst supporters?
A way of the media and opposition supporters to hugely influence the ref down the line and create narratives that suit their team, and give them an advantage?
Otherwise why give a shit?![]()
https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/rugby-un ... e-28746479
Referee Wayne Barnes reveals vile threats against wife and kids after Rassie Erasums rant
Rugby official Wayne Barnes had refereed his 100th match as France beat the Springboks, but what should have been a special occasion was quickly ruined by online trolls
Some of the abuse of Carley has been Rassie level and Saffers trolls need to reflect.
Wind your neck in ffs
Well back in the day, there weren't as many camera angles and instant slo-mo replays, with pundits and fans looking to blame the ref for every little human mistake. I started watching in the transition era, but from the old matches I've seen, it doesn't sound like ol' Bill McLaren ever had a go at a wrong decision or ignored transgression.Slick wrote: Tue Sep 19, 2023 8:47 amMy issue with it is that it takes away the whole rugby thing of "ref is the sole judge etc". I find it quite sad we are going down this route but I suppose that's quite twee now.Kiwias wrote: Tue Sep 19, 2023 7:06 amPlease count me in too.Gumboot wrote: Tue Sep 19, 2023 7:01 am I'm with Niegs, the NFL has a lot going for it, not least the accuracy and speed of the officiating. If more onfield officials improves the game and largely takes ever more intrusive TMOs out of it, then count me in.