Are we to be condemned to another another season of whistle symphonies?

[Hairy Scot]

From the NZ Herald on the Bulls vs Blues:- "The 30 penalties awarded by Steve Walsh in this match was ten more than the average number awarded across the other six games played this round."

He even managed to outwhistle Bryce Lawrence!

A worrying aspect from 2 of the weekend games was that Walsh and Brown seemed to come down hard on the South African teams, or was their discipline so bad?
One observer remarked that Walsh "had 2 different sets of rules at the breakdown".

There is certainly a perception that antipodean refs tend to rule against SA teams more often than not.
Does anyone know if there are stats anywhere which might confirm or deny this perception?

 

[TRF_heineken]

Just to warn you, it would be best to have links of these so called facts you are referring to, to prevent from being ridiculed on this forum...

Sanzar are investigating the penalties that was given against the Cheetahs so leave that until they have a decision on it.

As for the Steve Walsh in the Bulls vs Blues game... if he gave so many penalties, then so be it, the Blues played a very ugly game and conceded many penalties to try and stop the Bulls from scoring, which worked and the Bulls didn't take advantage of that... I thought Steve Walsh was relatively fair in most of his calls... with one or 2 being a little bit harsh, but that's how it goes...

 

[nickdnz]

I make a point of not taking any "facts" offered by the New Zealand Herald at face value.

 

[TNT88]

Were 10 of the penalties given unnecessary? What is the points of these threads?

"Steve Walsh gave X amount of penalties, and anything over Y is too much, therefore I declare myself the winner"

 

[Hairy Scot]

@Heineken
The perceptions and opinions expressed are all my own. I do not think I claimed that they were facts.
However, here is a link to the NZ Herald article to which I referred:- http://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/news/article.cfm?c_id=4&objectid=10791726

@TRF_nickdnz
You certainly have a valid point regarding The NZ Herald.

@TNT88
Are we barred from expressing opinions?
Do you enjoy the whistle symphonies?

 

[TRF Mr Fish]

It's one thing to criticise a ref of being bad, it's another altogether to criticise them of being biased. It just seems like you're moaning.

 

[TRF_stormer2010]

It's one thing to criticise a ref of being bad, it's another altogether to criticise them of being biased. It just seems like you're moaning.

You must pardon us for being paranoid what with that whole "get-the-Japies" campaign the Australasian refs had going on in Super rugby and a 'low-key' genocide going on in SA against white farmers making us somewhat paranoid in general.

 

[TNT88]

Are we barred from expressing opinions?

Yep, took the words out of my mouth. Barred from expressing opinions...

Do you enjoy the whistle symphonies?

Sometimes it's necessary. When Bryce gives less than 10 penalties (or whatever) in the world cup quarter final you guys complain he's letting everything go. And when Walsh cuts that crap out with 30 penalties the complaints keep flying in.

There is a good balance. And I'm all for cleaning up the breakdown in the first year after a world cup (which will end up with the odd high penalty count game).

At the end of the day it's up to the players as to how far/frequently they push the laws.

 

[TRF_stormer2010]

Yep, took the words out of my mouth. Barred from expressing opinions...



Sometimes it's necessary. When Bryce gives less than 10 penalties (or whatever) in the world cup quarter final you guys complain he's letting everything go. And when Walsh cuts that crap out with 30 penalties the complaints keep flying in.

There is a good balance. And I'm all for cleaning up the breakdown in the first year after a world cup (which will end up with the odd high penalty count game).

At the end of the day it's up to the players as to how far/frequently they push the laws.

Your missing the point a bit though; it's not the number of penalties but the consistency both between games and between teams in any given match.

 

[TNT88]

Your missing the point a bit though; it's not the number of penalties but the consistency both between games and between teams in any given match.

I don't think there is point to the thread. But yea, Bryce admitted his interpretation of that game was well outside normal and he should have been stricter. You can't tell a lot by the penalty count alone because it doesn't take into account how bad the discipline was. A game involving the Highlanders and Reds should have more penalties than a game involving the Tahs and Force. (generalizing a bit, I'm saying Reds and Highlanders bend the rules a lot)

 

[TRF_heineken]

I don't think there is point to the thread. But yea, Bryce admitted his interpretation of that game was well outside normal and he should have been stricter. You can't tell a lot by the penalty count alone because it doesn't take into account how bad the discipline was. A game involving the Highlanders and Reds should have more penalties than a game involving the Tahs and Force. (generalizing a bit, I'm saying Reds and Highlanders bend the rules a lot)

Can't believe I'm saying this but I'm agreeing with an aussie here...

To start a thread about us being condemned to listen to a whistle symphony, based on a single game, where in my view, the ref did very well is very harsh to be quite frank.

And Sanzar has been very active regarding the refereeing of the games in this year's Super 15, and taking action on relevant matters.

 

[smartcooky]

Sometimes it's necessary. When Bryce gives less than 10 penalties (or whatever) in the world cup quarter final you guys complain he's letting everything go. And when Walsh cuts that crap out with 30 penalties the complaints keep flying in.

There is a good balance. And I'm all for cleaning up the breakdown in the first year after a world cup (which will end up with the odd high penalty count game).

At the end of the day it's up to the players as to how far/frequently they push the laws.

Anyone see Ian Smith tonight in the Chiefs v Brumbies?

He's an Aussie referee in his first SR season, and a real promising one. Played good advantage, backed himself to make the calls in goal, didn't miss much and kept a strict offside line.

I thought he had an excellent game.

 

[TNT88]

Agreed, he managed the game very well. Especially the Brumbies try, seeing as the TMO couldn't see anything he asked a perfect question "is there a reason I cannot award the try"? (while he was fairly certain a try had been scored)

 

[Black Water White Death]

Whistle happy refs...

Yeah I agree...hope the supers doesn't turn out to be a cacophony of whistles which incidentally ruined a world cup which I looked forward to like so many fans for 4 years.

Quite frankly something has to be done in this area before rugby starts losing it's credibility as a sport as what has crept in to soccer.

Most of us are not happy with POB in control...it's not just a case of biasedness (integrity) but also competence, fitness (being able to keep up with the ball) and proper understanding of the rules and indeed sharpness in eyesight.

Yes...I am also tired of blaming the ref but when the problem has become so real and blatant then voices must speak out...the standards in the quarters, semis and final where unacceptable to all rugby fans...not only in South Africa, Wales and France but I am sure that honest Aussies and Kiwi's will agree too.

We all have had enough of bad calls.

Lets hope for the future.

 

[Black Water White Death]

I hardly can believe it...a day or two ago I hinted at POB and his lackies being the root of the problem and lo and behold the next day it happens...POB red-carded . Pity it did not happen before WC...SA /France Final ???

Well this really augurs good for the rest of the Supers...give all that's responsible at the IRB a Bell's...on second thoughts no..a Glenmorangie Signet

 

[smartcooky]

I hardly can believe it...a day or two ago I hinted at POB and his lackies being the root of the problem and lo and behold the next day it happens...POB red-carded . Pity it did not happen before WC...SA /France Final ???

Well this really augurs good for the rest of the Supers...give all that's responsible at the IRB a Bell's...on second thoughts no..a Glenmorangie Signet

Except that he hasn't been red carded at all!

http://www.therugbyforum.com/forum/showthread.php?27061-Cheerio-Paddy-O-Brien

 

[Black Water White Death]

Sadly you are partly right...just bad reporting...at least his grip has gone on union...now 7's.

Anyway good news is it probably a death knoll to BL...

 

[Black Water White Death]

Not my fault...bad reporting funnier enough from NZ...New Zealand's Paddy O'Brien has been given the boot as head of the IRB referees.
The IRB is set to announce on Monday O'Brien will be appointed head of the IRB Sevens series.
The BBC's Alistair Eayken says there will be a big clear out at the IRB with New Zealand's Bryce Lawrence, and England's Dave Pearson and Wayne Barnes to be demoted from the tier one panel

The let down reminds me of the movie Valkyrie...the plot to kill Hitler and the counting of the chickens before they hatch...no good celebrating until the real facts are known.

Anyway lets get on with game...come on Sharkies...take the Tahs first bite.