Irony overload considering the dive Barrett took in the second test
Barrett WAS contacted, long after the ball had departed. Mako Vunipola was on a mission to put himself about. He was carded if I recall...
Nobody is pointing the finger at Watson for simulating when he took a high illegal shot from SBW, because he wasn't simulating, he copped a hard hit and he didn't make any effort to make a meal of it.
Liam Williams behaviour in the third test was to starting look like he was the Hindenburg on it's slow crash to earth.
What next?
Actual tears?
His Mum coming onto the field to confront a prospective tackler with a handbag flourish.
Lawyers from 'Sue him while you're still in the Air Ltd' dashing on to get a signature from the unconscious player who miraculously reaches out a hand from his prone position to squiggle a signature"
This nonsense has just started to creep into the game in the last few years and it needs to be dealt with because if it is allowed to continue it's going to be a blight on the game.
It goes hand in hand with another bugbear of mine. Players interfering with referees and players demanding cards.
Both of the All Black half backs are prime candidates for retribution from the referee and it annoys me intensely to watch Aaron Smith and TJ Perenara for trying to incite the ref to their way of thinking.
Shouting at the referee is not acceptable.
Halfbacks are yappy, thats ok if they are giving it to their own forwards and verbally steering them (because often, forwards aren't very clever and they need a sheep dog to tell them where to be)
Shouting at the referee is a different act altogether.
They are both guilty of it and Perenara needs more than a censure, he needs a clip round the lug hole. He is outta line all too often. I hate watching him now because he's waaaay too gobby.
They should be smacked with a penalty straight away and if they continue then march them 10 yards for getting lippy.
If they continue after that then card them.
If they come back on to the field and continue that nonsense then cite them and stand them down for a game.
I have no problem with lippy players getting marched and then carded if they keep it up.
Shut up and play the game.
Only the captain should be able to approach the ref and ask a question.
Players holding their hands up enticing the ref to give a card.
That has to stop too.
Owen Farrell is a prime offender for this nonsense.
Players who do this should be cited after the game and if caught on camera be stood down for a game.
It would soon stamp it out.
The ref is the one to make the decision, not the players.
The ref will be getting enough assistance from the crowd and the officials, he doesn't need players holding up an imaginary card.
It's not about making the ref a dictator.
It's about showing the referee respect so he can get on with his job, regardless of how he is doing it.
Players can always urge their captain to ask a question... after that shut up and play the game.
