Leeds' defeat of Warrington on Friday night was, as promised, a thoroughly entertaining spectacle between two of the top sides in the competition. Conditions were not perfect but we were still treated to an open, expansive game of Rugby League. One incident which stood out for me was Richie Myler's disallowed try, albeit for the wrong reasons...
After being referred upstairs the try was chalked off, the video referee had deemed that Mickey Higham encroached the 10 metres from an offside position. Now, Higham was indeed in front of Myler when he kicked the ball and indeed he was about 5-6 metres away from the ball when Lee Briers got the next touch on it, palming it back to Myler. However my problem with this rule is that not only is it open to endless inconsistencies, but it also leaves a nagging impression that the officials are looking for a reason to penalize attacking play.
Firstly, looking at the consistency element of this rule, in normal play how many times do we see officials penalizing players who are offside from the kick for being within 10 metres of a defender when he picks the ball up? The only time this would happen is if the offside player gets involved in play to make a tackle. On Friday Mickey Higham was in no way involved in the play which resulted in Myler going over for a (disallowed) try.
The decision to rule out the try was because the video official was meticulously following the letter of the law. If our officials want to practice in complete compliance with the laws of the game then that is all well and good, but this needs to be consistent not only across the game in question, but across all games in the competition. If that game on Friday was not televised and the option of the video referee not being available you would feel that nine times out of ten the try would be awarded. If we are going to see tries in big games turned away for rules like this then it needs to be enforced across every situation in every game. As I mentioned earlier, I can confidently say that there are numerous occurrences of players chasing a kick from an offside position who will encroach the 10 metres when a defender retrieves the ball, given that they stay out of a tackle they will go unpunished. So whilst this is the case we have a rule which essentially will only come into effect if you score a try from said kick. A rule which only takes effect if it can be used as a reason to disallow a try.
Another rule which has the same unsettling connotations as this is the obstruction rule. The rule in itself is sound in principle and is in place to prevent an attacking team gaining an unfair advantage. We have seen a host of tries turned down from a dummy runner making contact with a sliding defender, usually close to the defender's line. Now, if a decoy attacker runs through the defensive line and intentionally looks to prevent a defender from getting across to make a tackle it is undoubtedly unfair play and needs to be penalized. However more and more we seem to be seeing tries scored out wide in the corners struck off because contact with a defender was made 15-20 metres infield and we have to go back two or three passes to see this. Again you could argue that the officials have to follow the letter of the law but is it punishing good attacking football? How often would this be penalized if the same play took place on the half way line?
One thing which disappoints me is the seeming reluctance of Stuart Cummings, the Match Officials Director to support his fleet of merry whistle blowers by coming out to clarify his position on certain decisions and rulings. Tedious technicalities, annual tweaks to rules and glaring inconsistencies are having too much of an effect on our game. Put simply and generally, match officials are having too much of an influence on too many games and and if we are not careful this creeping pedantic culture will lead to suppression of expression.
Sunday, 11 March 2012
Friday, 9 March 2012
Round 6
We are at week 6 of the regular Stobart Super League season and Friday's televised game comes from Headingley. Domestic and World Champions Leeds Rhinos entertain the Warrington Wolves who, if able to match both ambition and expectation, could hold similar titles to their hosts come this time next year.
It will be the second visit to West Yorkshire in six days for the Wolves after their 10-23 victory at Odsal last Saturday. Conditions were not perfect and coming up against a spirited Bradford side meant it was a closer run contest than many would have predicted. Although at many a juncture it looked like the Bulls could come away with something from the game, it always felt a little like Warrington had an extra gear to find if needed.
Since the defeat at the DW stadium in Round 2 Leeds have kicked on with a very impressive performance in the WCC followed up with comprehensive defeats over Widnes and Castleford. The link between Burrow and Maguire at Widnes was seamless and this combination coupled with the threat of Ryan Hall means that Leeds certainly look like scoring points.
Sky Bet have both teams going off scratch for the handicap betting (10/11 for each side) which won't surprise many. One market worth a look is the Total Match Points for which I'd go over 47.5 at 5/6.
Elsewhere on Friday night St Helens entertain Hull FC at Langtree park.
Saints haven't had things their own way over the last 3 rounds, after the 36 all draw at Hull KR they went down to a spectacular post-hooter try at home to Catalans only to find themselves on the wrong side of a 17-16 scoreline at Huddersfield a week later.
Hull have enjoyed a better time of it recently with the narrow defeat at Salford sandwiched between home wins over London and Wakefield. If you look at the form guide and add in to the fact that St Helens will be without key man James Roby you would have to say that this isn't a foregone conclusion. However with the experience and culture of St Helens I would back them to get back to winning ways tonight.
Sky Bet have St Helens (-10) at 10/11 and if half pairing of Gaskell and Lomax fire on all cylinders Saints could score some points this evening, they already average over 30 Points scored a game this year; Total Match Points over 49.5 at 5/6 could carry some value.
Saturday brings 3 games from the Super League, early kick off in France where Catalans take on Salford, London host Castleford in the 3 O'Clock kick off and Hull KR v Bradford is the televised evening's entertainment.
Salford have been running well this year, possible above expectation, but with the introduction of Sean Long in the coaching staff The Reds are playing some nice attacking football. Matty Smith has been hugely influential, particularly with his kicking game and can only benefit from his former St Helens colleague involved with the coaching set up.
Catalans are widely tipped to be there or there abouts come October, it's easy to see why from their displays thus far, the character shown to come from behind to pip St Helens speaks volumes for the resilience and mental strength of the Catalonian outfit. However they did struggle to contain an expansive Wigan side last week at the DW but back on home soil I would certainly expect them to come away with the spoils.
Salford have been given a 16 point start by the bookies which is a tight one to call, but given the Dragons are back at home after 2 weeks on the road I would back them to overcome that deficit.
Along with Widnes the London Broncos remain winless after 5 rounds of Super League XVII, the introduction of seasoned Craig Gower was sure to give them some high valued guidance on the field but things haven't gone quite to plan.
Castleford come into the game on the back of 4 straight league defeats after an encouraging opening day win over Salford. Ian Millward is expected to be back at the helm following compassionate leave and this one must be seen as a very winnable game for the Tigers and I would expect them to be good value with a 2 point handicap.
Hull KR overcame dreadful conditions to score a 36 to nothing victory over Widnes last weekend but at this stage it's difficult to put a game against Super League's newest arrivals into much context. Soundly beaten by Warrington two weeks ago but given KR were carrying a couple of knocks there's not too much disgrace in succumbing to the Wolves' and their seemingly bottomless pool of attacking threat.
Bradford gave an excellent account of themselves last Saturday particularly up front where they matched a strong Warrington Pack. Other defeats so far have come at the hands of Wigan and Catalans, this is certainly an encounter in which they will feel 2 points are perfectly attainable.
Bradford given a generous 10 point start and I would call that good value as this has the makings of a tight run contest.
There are 2 afternoon games on Sunday from either side of the Pennines, Wigan travel to the Stobart stadium and the infamous i-Pitch whilst Huddersfied make the short trip to Wakefield.
After an encouraging display against Leeds 2 weeks ago Widnes capitulated at Hull KR last week. The possible emergence of Cameron Phelps and Sione Kite could add some much needed depth to the struggling Vikings. Widnes ship an average of 43.2 points per game in Super League and Wigan are certainly no strangers to the business side of the whitewash.
If there are any knocks being carried in the Warriors dressing room then this would be an ideal place to rest one or two key players.
For this reason the 36 point start given to Widnes seems generous a gamble but one I'm sure many will be willing to take.
Wakefield come off the back of 3 straight defeats since the opening day win at Widnes. Things don't look like getting any easier for the visit of the Giants. This new-era Wakefield side have impressed though this year and could claim to be a touch unfortunate in the 14-10 at Hull last week.
The only defeat of the year so far for the Giants came at the hands of Warrington in one of the best games we've seen in 2012 and they look sure to be pushing for a top 4 spot when the play offs roll around.
Just a 12 point start given to Wakefield and I can see a more comprehensive vitory than that for the Giants despite being away from home.
For this week's outcomes I would go for:
Warrington
St Helens
Catalans
Castleford
Bradford
Wigan
Huddersfield
£1 pays £20.50
For the handicap treble:
St Helens (-10) 10/11
Castleford (-2) 10/11
Huddersfield (-12) 10/11
It will be the second visit to West Yorkshire in six days for the Wolves after their 10-23 victory at Odsal last Saturday. Conditions were not perfect and coming up against a spirited Bradford side meant it was a closer run contest than many would have predicted. Although at many a juncture it looked like the Bulls could come away with something from the game, it always felt a little like Warrington had an extra gear to find if needed.
Since the defeat at the DW stadium in Round 2 Leeds have kicked on with a very impressive performance in the WCC followed up with comprehensive defeats over Widnes and Castleford. The link between Burrow and Maguire at Widnes was seamless and this combination coupled with the threat of Ryan Hall means that Leeds certainly look like scoring points.
Sky Bet have both teams going off scratch for the handicap betting (10/11 for each side) which won't surprise many. One market worth a look is the Total Match Points for which I'd go over 47.5 at 5/6.
Elsewhere on Friday night St Helens entertain Hull FC at Langtree park.
Saints haven't had things their own way over the last 3 rounds, after the 36 all draw at Hull KR they went down to a spectacular post-hooter try at home to Catalans only to find themselves on the wrong side of a 17-16 scoreline at Huddersfield a week later.
Hull have enjoyed a better time of it recently with the narrow defeat at Salford sandwiched between home wins over London and Wakefield. If you look at the form guide and add in to the fact that St Helens will be without key man James Roby you would have to say that this isn't a foregone conclusion. However with the experience and culture of St Helens I would back them to get back to winning ways tonight.
Sky Bet have St Helens (-10) at 10/11 and if half pairing of Gaskell and Lomax fire on all cylinders Saints could score some points this evening, they already average over 30 Points scored a game this year; Total Match Points over 49.5 at 5/6 could carry some value.
Saturday brings 3 games from the Super League, early kick off in France where Catalans take on Salford, London host Castleford in the 3 O'Clock kick off and Hull KR v Bradford is the televised evening's entertainment.
Salford have been running well this year, possible above expectation, but with the introduction of Sean Long in the coaching staff The Reds are playing some nice attacking football. Matty Smith has been hugely influential, particularly with his kicking game and can only benefit from his former St Helens colleague involved with the coaching set up.
Catalans are widely tipped to be there or there abouts come October, it's easy to see why from their displays thus far, the character shown to come from behind to pip St Helens speaks volumes for the resilience and mental strength of the Catalonian outfit. However they did struggle to contain an expansive Wigan side last week at the DW but back on home soil I would certainly expect them to come away with the spoils.
Salford have been given a 16 point start by the bookies which is a tight one to call, but given the Dragons are back at home after 2 weeks on the road I would back them to overcome that deficit.
Along with Widnes the London Broncos remain winless after 5 rounds of Super League XVII, the introduction of seasoned Craig Gower was sure to give them some high valued guidance on the field but things haven't gone quite to plan.
Castleford come into the game on the back of 4 straight league defeats after an encouraging opening day win over Salford. Ian Millward is expected to be back at the helm following compassionate leave and this one must be seen as a very winnable game for the Tigers and I would expect them to be good value with a 2 point handicap.
Hull KR overcame dreadful conditions to score a 36 to nothing victory over Widnes last weekend but at this stage it's difficult to put a game against Super League's newest arrivals into much context. Soundly beaten by Warrington two weeks ago but given KR were carrying a couple of knocks there's not too much disgrace in succumbing to the Wolves' and their seemingly bottomless pool of attacking threat.
Bradford gave an excellent account of themselves last Saturday particularly up front where they matched a strong Warrington Pack. Other defeats so far have come at the hands of Wigan and Catalans, this is certainly an encounter in which they will feel 2 points are perfectly attainable.
Bradford given a generous 10 point start and I would call that good value as this has the makings of a tight run contest.
There are 2 afternoon games on Sunday from either side of the Pennines, Wigan travel to the Stobart stadium and the infamous i-Pitch whilst Huddersfied make the short trip to Wakefield.
After an encouraging display against Leeds 2 weeks ago Widnes capitulated at Hull KR last week. The possible emergence of Cameron Phelps and Sione Kite could add some much needed depth to the struggling Vikings. Widnes ship an average of 43.2 points per game in Super League and Wigan are certainly no strangers to the business side of the whitewash.
If there are any knocks being carried in the Warriors dressing room then this would be an ideal place to rest one or two key players.
For this reason the 36 point start given to Widnes seems generous a gamble but one I'm sure many will be willing to take.
Wakefield come off the back of 3 straight defeats since the opening day win at Widnes. Things don't look like getting any easier for the visit of the Giants. This new-era Wakefield side have impressed though this year and could claim to be a touch unfortunate in the 14-10 at Hull last week.
The only defeat of the year so far for the Giants came at the hands of Warrington in one of the best games we've seen in 2012 and they look sure to be pushing for a top 4 spot when the play offs roll around.
Just a 12 point start given to Wakefield and I can see a more comprehensive vitory than that for the Giants despite being away from home.
For this week's outcomes I would go for:
Warrington
St Helens
Catalans
Castleford
Bradford
Wigan
Huddersfield
£1 pays £20.50
For the handicap treble:
St Helens (-10) 10/11
Castleford (-2) 10/11
Huddersfield (-12) 10/11
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