RateTheRef

Why are we risking new referees on teams who are fighting tooth and nail to stay in the division. Bournemouth Sheff Utd / Wolves v Fulham would be a more appropriate match (no offense to fulham fan posters).

It's unfair on the teams involved and unnecessary pressure on the trial referees

Nothing again for Attwell, or Scott who's treatment this season has been nothing short of disgraceful!

I have 3P's for the officiating in week 3, I'm not one to trash officials as they have such a tough job BUT the standard has deteriorated from week 1 culminating in poor, pedantic and at times perplexing refereeing across the 3 matches. Have to say the debutants didn't impress in their matches. It's a shame really as I rate both Christophe and Andrea.

I was VERY jealous of Missy BMB having Jarred Gillett until I scrolled down and saw Michael Oliver for us at Old Trafford.

Whilst it may have been pre-arranged, I'm pretty shocked to see Lewis Smith with another PL game after the disaster at the Cottage on Saturday.

3 yellow card offences by casemiro only 1 yellow given

Congrats to Luke Pearce on 50 internationals. With Peyper's retirement Pearce is the most experienced international rugby referee. On Sunday, in what was not a hugely difficult game, it showed - the discussion last week was the difference between natural referees and manufactured (within football). Spend a couple of hours watching Pearce compared to Doleman and the difference is startling.
The English and Welsh packs knew they had fresh meat and exploited every.last bit out of it. The management of the set piece was pretty poor throughout, Doleman's communication will improve as his standing does but first the players have got to trust you.- if talking does not work, referee with the whistle. I have seen differing opinions on Chessum's YC - I felt he had bent at the waist and if it wasn't for the primary tackler causing the Welsh player to drop to his knees, Chessum would have taken the player around the stomach. Not sure what he could have done differently- the speed in which thr decision came back spoke volumes. James Doleman is not a bad referee, just not yet anywhere close to challenging O'Keefe or Williams
I thought Nic Berry was good, his talking/communication was better, more focused. I'm glad they looked at Baille's tackle more than as just an accumulation YC.
As for the final act there can be no blame on Berry - he was quite clear "I do not have a grounding- on field, no try"
We then seemed to spend ages between yes it was/no it wasn't- Andrew Cotters reference to Scottish Law was most pertinent "not proven". Had on field decision been Try, then try it would have been. Maybe this was the one where ref says I'm not sure, let me have another look" and it that case I think a try would have been given, certainly France could not have complained.
Overall 2 good/v good performances, 1 of continuing to grow/learn/improve

Quote from: Acme Thunderer on Tue 06 Feb 2024 09:05

Assuming the uncovered games are being refereed by SG1s, it seems strange that top SG2 James Linington has not got a game when others have two in a full fixture list, and particularly as he is a 4O so clearly not out of action for some reason.

Changes to last weekend appointments will provide a clue.