Selective Punishment

Stevie.. I don’t think the refs are more consistent in rugby league.. there’s a lot of variance I find.. I think VAR in the pro game.. whilst it works, is a bit too easy for the refs to duck making the decision.. you can see it’s clearly a try but they insist on going up top to check there was no knock on in the build up.. find it frustrating because the refs should be picking this up

Infiniteone, where did you play?

comment by The Spanish Italians (U21595)
posted 16 minutes ago
Stevie.. I don’t think the refs are more consistent in rugby league.. there’s a lot of variance I find.. I think VAR in the pro game.. whilst it works, is a bit too easy for the refs to duck making the decision.. you can see it’s clearly a try but they insist on going up top to check there was no knock on in the build up.. find it frustrating because the refs should be picking this up
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Possibly. I played Union and refs, albeit at another level, were consistent. I received more kicking and punches playing rugby than I ever did playing football.

Everyone's experiences will be different, I just think football is an easy target and to compare the two sports isn't always ideal for reasons stated.

Stevie 👍.. valid points.. I don’t know too much about union, would you say decision making for a ref is easier as opposed to league? .. for instance you can knock on, simply playing the ball in league (which boils my blood in the pro game) 😂

comment by infiniteone (U9982)
posted 47 minutes ago
I played and watch rugby too. Difference is that some people are civilized and some aren’t. I can absolutely guarantee the guys in the crowd who are gesticulating at the referees and abusing players, never played rugby......100%....
If you’ve played that game, you learn to respect the referees and the opponent- anyone that disagrees is a liar.
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I played rugby, number 8 then moved to the backs. I played football for Sutton Coldfield Town too. Different experiences and different reactions.

As a fan I've watched Leeds United since I was 4, watched Leeds Rugby League, at Headingly and the odd away game, since my teens and England Rugby Union at Twickenham since my mid twenties. I can tell you, honestly, that there's been abuse, albeit from minorities, directed at the referee in all instances, often driven by critical points in the games.

And I'm not a liar.......

My peer group are all rugby fanatics who all went on to play rugby after school, unlike me, and all are fervant football fans who aren't shy at expressing their opinions at officials and players alike. Our school was highly disciplined and off the pitch/stands you couldn't meet a more courteous bunch of lads.

comment by The Spanish Italians (U21595)
posted 2 minutes ago
Stevie 👍.. valid points.. I don’t know too much about union, would you say decision making for a ref is easier as opposed to league? .. for instance you can knock on, simply playing the ball in league (which boils my blood in the pro game) 😂
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Good question but not having played League I can't compare. There wasn't much dissent at my level as invariably the officials, at home, were our teachers and they'd get us in class afterwards too.....

Stevie.. a rhinos fan?.. personally this year I think it’s another struggle.. but with subtle improvement!

I’m actually a total neutral.. with soft spots for Leeds and Wigan.. today in the football sort of twigs a little a laugh in my mind.. as if today was game of rugby.. I’d prob want Wigan to win 😂

Spanish - I played Union for Sale when I was younger before I moved to Canada....played Union here for another 10 years before my body decided it was enough. Play football now to keep the cobwebs away....
I just find going to football matches embarrassing at times, watching grown men shout and swear at players and referees- I personally have not experienced that at a rugby game (not talking League here as I think that has a more working class element like football)...but I think the game itself lends to you learning respect for everyone involved....guys behind the goal shouting abuse etc need to be eliminated from society in general

Infinite.. I one million percent agree, I cringe when I see a football fan giving it big ones in the crowd, having a pop at players / stewards / refs.. there’s a lot more tribal fighting too.. had many a debate on her about that.. cringe worthy.. what more odd.. is that a decent percentage of them would go to the rugby and behave themselves..

Sounds like a good level you played at by the way.. hats off sir.. you’d have to be at a decent fitness level too! The difference in fitness level is different in football and rugby.. don’t you find? Horses for courses fitness. There is a reason was the build difference.. you train a totally different way.. even a simple thing of your calves.. which other sports requires you to run backwards 😂

Spanish - it’s good to hear someone agree👍👍
Yeah fitness for the different sports is varied for sure - lots of cardio for football but rugby is very much strength based....there’s a lot of stoppages in rugby to get your breath back🤣👍