Neutral Referees : Sat Dec 02, 2017 11:21 am  

So here we are again. Can someone please explain why the RLIF persist with this policy of not appointing neutral referees for internationals? Anyone? Bowing down the the NRL aside?

I don't think for a moment refs are deliberately dodgy in anyway, but unconscious bias when making split-second decisions is something you simply can't avoid. That game had plenty of examples of decisions tipping the way of Australia and not going for England, and imo it devalues their win and the tournament.

I'm not claiming we would have won with a neutral ref - our execution was poor in crucial positions - but the point is to at least remove all semblance of doubt and put both teams on a truly neutral playing field. In such a tight game, a couple of incorrect calls perhaps unconsciously influenced by a lifetime of supporting Australia in RL, RU, football, cricket, Athletics, singing Australia Fair, etc...will swing it.

A neutral referee might not be the 'best' referee in the world...but at least it's fair.

Sort it out. It taints the entire competition.

Re: Neutral Referees : Sat Dec 02, 2017 11:25 am  

agree, particualrly was an issue when we had the aussie ref give a try on field and the English video ref said no try. Correct decision was made, but obstructions in particular can be hard to judge and as you say we shouldent be even questioning the referees neutrality.

Re: Neutral Referees : Sat Dec 02, 2017 6:26 pm  

I disagree, but understand your logic.
For me it's his job and he will do his best to become the best in the World just like our coaches and players.
I don't think there's anything given or not given on the field unprofessionally.. not even by accident.

In that case, You could almost argue Bennett coached us to lose against his home Country OR didn't put his best effort in to tactically beat them.

Re: Neutral Referees : Sun Dec 03, 2017 12:27 am  

We and the Aussies are booth as guilty for not helping to develop neutral referees.
We need to bring over some young French refs and the Aussies need to over some young kiwi refs.

Re: Neutral Referees : Sun Dec 03, 2017 12:42 am  

Whilst I agree, I don't think the ref was too bad today. A bigger priority should be introducing two refs in SL, so the international games can be reffed the same as at club level. I also think it'd improve the product on field in SL as well.

Re: Neutral Referees : Sun Dec 03, 2017 12:46 am  

AntonyGiant wrote:

I disagree, but understand your logic.
For me it's his job and he will do his best to become the best in the World just like our coaches and players.
I don't think there's anything given or not given on the field unprofessionally.. not even by accident.

In that case, You could almost argue Bennett coached us to lose against his home Country OR didn't put his best effort in to tactically beat them.

We can agree to disagree whether some form of unconscious bias comes into play...although it seems I'll be long dead in my grave when Aaron Woods concedes a knock-on.

I'm not questioning their intent - what I'm really looking for is removal of all doubt.

Social media is full of people questioning why an Aussie ref is officiating Australia, playing in Australia, in a World Cup final. A man who undoubtedly has a lifetime of singing Australia Fair and supporting Australia at whatever they compete in, on the edge of his seat just as we were this morning. It's just plain stupid and for me it devalues their win.

Re: Neutral Referees : Sun Dec 03, 2017 8:26 am  

Cronus wrote:

A man who undoubtedly has a lifetime of singing Australia Fair and supporting Australia at whatever they compete in, on the edge of his seat just as we were this morning. It's just plain stupid and for me it devalues their win.

There's a massive doubt.
He was probably singing 'God Save our German Queen' up until 1984.

Re: Neutral Referees : Sun Dec 03, 2017 11:48 am  

Whilst I agree, I don't think the ref was too bad today. A bigger priority should be introducing two refs in SL, so the international games can be reffed the same as at club level. I also think it'd improve the product on field in SL as well.

No way do we need more refs. The game is becoming to sterile. Ref mistakes are part of the game as are player mistakes.

What happened to the Kiwi ref they used in previous comps? Albert should be developing French refs.

Re: Neutral Referees : Sun Dec 03, 2017 11:53 am  

It's not about reducing mistakes, it's about improving the play the ball.

Re: Neutral Referees : Sun Dec 03, 2017 10:04 pm  

For the love of God have neutral refs, it's ridiculous. Can you imagine England football playing a world cup final against Germany, with a German ref?