chadiwrx
Kennel Addict
- Joined
- May 21, 2005
- Messages
- 5,419
- Reaction score
- 421
Players attempting to earn a repeat set by deliberately kicking the ball into the referee - rather than the in-goal - have been warned they risk conceding a penalty for misconduct.
In one of the pivotal moments in last Saturday night's epic win over Manly, Canterbury playmaker Josh Reynolds earned his side a scrum feed when he kicked the ball into whistleblower Gerard Sutton. Whether the ploy was accidental or deliberate has been debated ever since. Bill Harrigan and Greg McCallum - both referees and then referees' bosses - raised concerns that savvy kickers could look to exploit the rule. The Bulldogs took full advantage, with NSW halfback Trent Hodkinson nailing the first of his two field goals after his side retained possession.
While some commentators have called for the rule to be scrapped - Phil Gould labelled it "anachronistic" and in need of an off-season overhaul - referee's boss Tony Archer said players risked being penalised for deliberately kicking or passing into the pink shirts this weekend.
Archer said there was no need to change the rule as there was already provision under the existing laws to issue a penalty.
"If the referee is of the opinion that a player deliberately passes or kicks the ball at an official and it hits him he can be penalised for [player] misconduct, " Archer said.
"We have reminded the referees of this section of the rules and they will apply them if necessary."
The fact that Canterbury players, particularly Josh Morris, were so quick to remind the referees of the rule interpretation only adds to the theory the ploy was deliberate. After the match, Reynolds revealed he had spoken to skipper Michael Ennis about it in the lead up to the Sea Eagles match.
"He said what a great play it is. So yeah, I'll claim it," Reynolds said. "[Cummins] put his hand up the other way. And I said no way, man, I know the rule."
However, Archer's warning means there will be significant risk for any reward should a repeat be attempted.
The referees have been under intense scrutiny during a tight finals series, but most acknowledge they have got the big calls - such as the no-try ruling against the Cowboys for a knock on - correct. Even Canterbury coach Des Hasler praised the work of the easiest targets in the game.
"Obviously everyone's been talking about the large momentum shifts, whether they're generated through officialdom or whether they're generated through sides' own errors," Hasler said.
"But the nature of the finals series so far, the referees have stayed right out of it. I think the referees have done a really good job so far in the finals."
Source
While some commentators have called for the rule to be scrapped - Phil Gould labelled it "anachronistic" and in need of an off-season overhaul - referee's boss Tony Archer said players risked being penalised for deliberately kicking or passing into the pink shirts this weekend.
Archer said there was no need to change the rule as there was already provision under the existing laws to issue a penalty.
"If the referee is of the opinion that a player deliberately passes or kicks the ball at an official and it hits him he can be penalised for [player] misconduct, " Archer said.
"We have reminded the referees of this section of the rules and they will apply them if necessary."
The fact that Canterbury players, particularly Josh Morris, were so quick to remind the referees of the rule interpretation only adds to the theory the ploy was deliberate. After the match, Reynolds revealed he had spoken to skipper Michael Ennis about it in the lead up to the Sea Eagles match.
"He said what a great play it is. So yeah, I'll claim it," Reynolds said. "[Cummins] put his hand up the other way. And I said no way, man, I know the rule."
However, Archer's warning means there will be significant risk for any reward should a repeat be attempted.
The referees have been under intense scrutiny during a tight finals series, but most acknowledge they have got the big calls - such as the no-try ruling against the Cowboys for a knock on - correct. Even Canterbury coach Des Hasler praised the work of the easiest targets in the game.
"Obviously everyone's been talking about the large momentum shifts, whether they're generated through officialdom or whether they're generated through sides' own errors," Hasler said.
"But the nature of the finals series so far, the referees have stayed right out of it. I think the referees have done a really good job so far in the finals."
Source
