Internationals World cup referees to Bring back the Biff England Style

[Sup42]

Ref's call as one-punch rule gets knocked out for Rugby League World Cup
The Rugby League World Cup won't be officiated under the same ''one punch and you're off'' edict introduced in the NRL mid-season.

Punching an opponent remains illegal but the ramifications aren't as clear-cut as in the NRL, which have taken a zero tolerance to on-field violence, with players automatically sent to the sin bin for 10 minutes no matter the circumstances.

Instead, it will be left to the on-field referee to make a decision on the punishment - with the NRL adjusting an interpretation to an international foul play rule rather than amending the present rule book.

The move comes after the NRL took a tough stance after Paul Gallen and Nate Myles exchanged punches in the opening State of Origin game - where officials were heavily criticised after Gallen conceded just a penalty. Four players - Greg Bird, Trent Merrin, Brent Tate and Justin Hodges - were sin binned in Origin II after the interpretation was introduced.


The shoulder charge remains banned after the Rugby League International Federation followed the NRL's lead in outlawing the tackling technique this year.

Federation secretary Andrew Hill said the on-field officials will make a decision about foul play.

''There is nothing specific on the 'punch and you're off' [policy],'' Hill said. ''It will be interpreted by the on-field referee. The game will be refereed according to the international laws. The panel have worked through the different interpretations and have agreed on the way the World Cup will be refereed and interrupted.''

The rules and officiating panel is made up of the NRL's Daniel Anderson, Englishman Stuart Cummings and former NRL coach David Waite, who is acting as an independent official. They have met to find resolutions between the different interpretations of the northern and southern hemispheres.

Matches will be officiated by one referee with the controlling referee not to make a decision before sending a possible try to be reviewed by the video referee, as introduced in the NRL this year.

The corner post won't be part of the touchline while the Super League's ''free'' play advantage rule won't be in use, with the NRL's interpretation of advantage to feature.

NRL referees Ben Cummins, Shayne Hayne, Ashley Klein and Grant Atkins will feature in the World Cup, while Henry Perenara will be the New Zealand representative at the tournament.

 

[Sup42]

Interesting there will be only one reff in the games , I guess there are not enough reffs to go around and the ESL play that way / just aren't geared up for the pocket Reff system.

Don't know how I feel about that I've got used to dealing with Two cheating bastards in the middle. The Touchies will be locals looking at that list only the NRL top top ranking reffs are included , probably NRL Reff to put his sticky little piggy flag up in the Final to get on TV.

The Aussies are notorious for playing off side out wide , that bothers me , not that having two refs necessarily makes any difference.

Having two Reffs speeds the game up though.

All Try's going to the Video Reff in the new NRL system is superior to giving the Video Reff all the chances in the world to look for Kangaroo benefits of doubt and the sixty million replays of opposition tries.

I'm glad the Punch ruling at the Refs discretion has been brought in , otherwise some of the dirty i mean passionate old school teams won't have 13 players on the park at full time.

The Kiwis and Aussies have forgotten how to have a scrap , they'll be swinging handbags at Brawlers or possibly the reverse all that pent up aggression caused by the homo erotic fixation of Origin this year for pushing each other and grabbing jerseys will be let off the leash.

 

[Freddie Futler]

While Australia has more playing the game than the rest of the nations put together they will maintain there attitude of having the most say in the game. New Zealand punch way above their weight in most sports including League, did I say punch?
Yeah, bring back the biff.

 

[Miket12]

I'm pleased Packer wasn't selected - he'd pee himself if Gallen tried too start sometime

 

[Jay M]

I'm pleased Packer wasn't selected - he'd pee himself if Gallen tried too start sometime

Love the line, but TBH I couldn't see Packer backing down against Gallen... He probably wouldn't win the fight, but Packer would stand up to him...

Much more interesting though - SBW or JWH vs Gallen... now that could be fireworks... IF (we don't, but IF) we had J Smith playing as well - SBW, JWH, J Smith, Pritchard, Kasiano, Issac Luke would actually be a pretty aggressive pack... I guess we could still start Beastwood, Pritchard, Kasiano, JWH, Luke, SBW... (I'm not saying we should, but I'd like to see us dominate the Aussies with aggression )

 

[gREVUS]

The shoulder charge remains banned after the Rugby League International Federation followed the NRL's lead in outlawing the tackling technique this year.

I think this has more to do with the court cases in the US than a favouring of the Australian choice. Unfortuantly - would love to see it brought back in

 

[USAExPatriotNZCitizen]

The Kiwis and Aussies have forgotten how to have a scrap , they'll be swinging handbags at Brawlers or possibly the reverse all that pent up aggression caused by the homo erotic fixation of Origin this year for pushing each other and grabbing jerseys will be let off the leash.

 

[Maraea]

One of the main reasons I was looking forward to this world cup was the fact that it was NOT the NRL. Finally, freedom from the fckn structures and officials and third ref calls every 2 minutes - hate it. So, I'm sort of annoyed to see Anderson and the other ex-Coach guy in there. Happy to see a heap of English officials involved though - more free flowing games perhaps?? Hope so. Bit a biff in there - good one, maybe Waerea can use 'The Peoples Forearm' a bit more . Seriously I've seen more aggression in a netball game compared to an NRL game lately (have you seen NZ's new goal shooter? She is feisty!)