Re: 4 Nations Ref : Tue Oct 28, 2014 8:36 pm  

Surely beating them on their own midden, with a home town ref would be sweet?

The only mitigating circumstance left would be the decimation of their preferred squad.

But after such a polished performance against Samoa, only a woeful performance by the despicable Sutton is the one thing standing in our way of eternal redemption.

Re: 4 Nations Ref : Tue Oct 28, 2014 8:40 pm  

Sal Paradise wrote:

If only RL was as small as Rules - the crowds for rules put the PL to shame, its revenue generation is significantly greater than the NRL and SL - possibly combined

The Premier League has a higher average crowd. But regardless, the Premier League isn't a sport and it wouldn't matter if Aussie Rules got 100k to every game, it would still be a sport confined to 1 country with no international competition and no international profile.

Even at RL's current international state it's significantly better than Aussie rules. Which was the point I was trying to make. The Australians seem determined to undermine the international game whenever it might have even the slightest hint of a negative but tiny and short term effect on the NRL.

Re: 4 Nations Ref : Tue Oct 28, 2014 8:49 pm  

You couldn't make it up.

Australia vs England: Australian referee

New Zealand vs Samoa: New Zealand referee

Even if both refs are 100% fair and manage to suppress both their conscious their subconscious loyalties, every decision will be scrutinised, and anything even remotely iffy going against England or Samoa will be derided.

This further confirms my long-held suspicions that everyone involved in the RLIF is a complete and utter idiot. Or too bloody soft to stand up to the constant whining of the ARL/NRL and various Kangaroos coaches.

If I were Australian I'd actually be embarrassed. It's stupid, pathetic and throws the entire competition into farce - regardless of how the referees actually perform.

Re: 4 Nations Ref : Tue Oct 28, 2014 9:26 pm  

Cronus wrote:

. It's stupid, pathetic and throws the entire competition into farce - regardless of how the referees actually perform.

I honestly don't think the appointment of a Kiwi ref is that contentious, given most of the Samoan side are themselves Kiwis, but the appointment in the Aussie game is unbelievable.

Re: 4 Nations Ref : Tue Oct 28, 2014 9:48 pm  

They're professional refs, I don't see this being a big deal.

Re: 4 Nations Ref : Tue Oct 28, 2014 10:36 pm  

Only thing left to do now is force us to play with 9 players and let the Ausies bring in a few thousand Zulus to help them out.

Oops!
Sorry
We won that one! (Both of em)

Re: 4 Nations Ref : Tue Oct 28, 2014 10:58 pm  

Shakes head in disbelief.

There are some clear rule interpretation differences between SL and NRL. A ref from either comp would therefore tend to benefit the side from their comp. That's almost impossible to get past.

The selection of a non-neutral ref is pathetic from two levels - firstly because of the ridiculous pressure it puts the ref himself under, and secondly because of the clear message that it sends that the Aussies won't play unless its by their rules - i.e. NRL >>> internationals.

As an aside, the Aussie commentators were generally very flattering of Bentham in the Aus--NZ game.

Re: 4 Nations Ref : Tue Oct 28, 2014 10:59 pm  

Any credability the game had has now gone, the RFL should refuse to play & bring the team home unless we get neutral ref's. As some one has said if I was an Aussie I would be so embarassed, after all it was the Aussies who insisted that test umpires were neutral after over a hundred years of umpires standing in their own country it was only the Aussie cricketers who had a problem with it. Also will the NRL charge Mal Maninga for brining the game into disrepute? after his coments that the four nations is a waste of time & he thought there was no point to it. I just hope & pray that we can win & put the whinging Aussies out of the competition.

Re: 4 Nations Ref : Tue Oct 28, 2014 11:06 pm  

What is England or GB's comparative win/loss record against Australia when...

a) It's an Aussie ref in charge
b) It's a Kiwi ref in charge
c) It's a Pommy ref in charge

I'm assuming there is sufficient evidence to justify the whinging on this thread.

Re: 4 Nations Ref : Tue Oct 28, 2014 11:39 pm  

William Eve wrote:

What is England or GB's comparative win/loss record against Australia when...

a) It's an Aussie ref in charge
b) It's a Kiwi ref in charge
c) It's a Pommy ref in charge

I'm assuming there is sufficient evidence to justify the whinging on this thread.

Who cares? I am sure you will have stats to prove that we are just as bad with one or the other but the fact the aussies have gone out of their way here to get a 'home boy' in charge is indeed cause for a bit of whinging.

They see themselves under threat from the second rate pommies and and nees to get some kind of control back.

standard convict actions imo.