No wonder fans feel like some teams are favoured more than others
The Daniel Tupou tackle on ANZAC Day again highlighted what fans feel is preferential treatment for certain ‘untouchable’ teams.
Under the letter of the law the NRL clumsily introduced over the past seasons, that was a 10 minute stint in the bin. In the old days that was a send-off.
It’s these inconsistencies when a player is/isn’t sin binned that frustrates supporters and could end your team’s chances and your coaches’ career.
Sin Bin
The Sin Bin has become the biggest blight in the game and players are not helping being coached to manipulate the referees.
In round two, the Panthers had a 20 minute advantage with two players sinbinned for the Dragons.
In round four, the Roosters had a 30 minute advantage with three Cowboys players sent to the bin.
In all five occasions only one was for a profession foul worthy of missing 10 minutes. The rest is up to the interpretation of the referee. It is a lottery that some teams win more than others.
In round five, Junior Paulo was binned for making direct contact of Titans player AJ Brimson’s head and subsequently banned for a week. The hit was ferocious. It would have sent him to Robina Hospital.
Except it was direct contact to the shoulder and both on-field and bunker doctors deemed no HIA necessary and Brimson completed the game. Another example of the bunker’s left hand not knowing what the right hand is doing.
Lay Down Sally
When players stay down, prone, they are obviously injured. And for their own welfare they need to be rested for the remainder of the match. Possibly the next round as well.
This will make players like Warriors five-eighth Chanel Harris-Tavita think twice about face planting after looking at the referee.
All supporters see it and the players look really poor for it.
The Answer
Simplify the use of the sin-bin.
- Professional fouls
- Shoulder charges
- Punching (including slapping, let’s get this out of the game as well)
- Nothing else
Intentionally attacking the head of an opponent should be a send-off. That will change how players approach a tackle when they have time to think.
Good luck to your team and selections this week. I hope it remains 13 on 13.
-Rob
Agree/disagree with Rob‘s rant? Like, share, or leave a comment below.
Insightful. I’d forgotten about saints/panthers game. In this one instance last weekend, the ref, bunker AND judiciary got it wrong. As you say, consistency is required. Top team favouritism is abhorrent and insufferable to fans.
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