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| 6 Nations - Weekend 3 | |
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| Tweet Topic Started: Sunday, 23. February 2014, 10:47 (333 Views) | |
| RCG | Sunday, 23. February 2014, 10:47 Post #1 |
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Probably the best weekend so far in terms of excitement. A very good win for the Welsh, Scotland not only winning but scoring tries and England shading it against the Irish in a very intense match. Onto the officials - I have always been a fan of Allain Rolland but even I struggled to decide what I made of his performance on Friday. The scrums were a lottery and he had to resort (for the 2nd time) to binning 2 props. His general decision making seemed a bit off and he didn't seem to have the total confidence of the players, as he has in the past. I hope that everyone will remember what a good international referee he has been including the 2007 RWC Final. In the first half Aussie (Kiwi) Steve Walsh seemed to find offences that no1 else could see, but despite many warnings to the Scottish front row, failed to produce a yellow card (Scotland were penalised 10 times in the first half). It took Scotland replacing the prop to get scrums completed. I thought he improved as the game opened up and he was very consistent in his decision making in the 2nd half, not resorting to cheap penalties at breakdowns (quite the opposite to the first half) Joubert at Twickenham I think did well. In fairness, both teams seemed intent on playing and a very open, attacking game was well managed. His decision making, in general, seemed good and there was little from the players in terms of questioning. Overall, was pleased. |
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| Hendo | Sunday, 23. February 2014, 19:00 Post #2 |
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As ever a good assessment but I think you are being a little hard on Alain Rolland. Like you I have regarded him as one of the best in recent years but I don't think he can be blamed for the lottery of the scrums. He tried to sort it out but when players are intent on going down (and when the pitch is so slippery) then its very difficult. I thought he did well to warn both captains before the break to tell players to sort it out and laid his cards on the line. The binning had to come, once the props began to reoffend. As regards the other French card, it was blatant hands in the ruck preventing quick release, so no qualms about that. Its funny that commentators and critics (Brian Moore being a prime example) get hot under the collar crying out for refs to do something about it and demand yellows (which very often don't come) when there is deliberate prevention of quick release - how often do we hear "that's what the yellow card is for" for typical gamesmanship - and yet when a ref such as Rolland ties to do something about it he gets criticised. Damned if you do, damned if you don't. Like RCG I too hope rugby remembers Rolland as the great ref he has been, an example of how (with the right support and encouragement) a former player can turn in to an excellent official. Happy retirement and I hope he uses his experience to help future up and coming refs. Walsh has never been a favourite of mine, too far up his own backside for my liking. Didn't see the first half but have to say that from what I saw in the 2nd half he was fine, one of his better displays. The same with Joubert, who never inspires confidence in me and I have to say seems to give penalty after penalty, which have tended to make most of his games stop/start. However I was pleasantly surprised this time and thought he was very good and kept tight control. Incidentally looking at the penalty count, there wasn't much in it with 21 in the Wales game, 20 in England's and 16 in the Scotland match. |
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| Hendo | Tuesday, 25. February 2014, 21:22 Post #3 |
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I see that Philippe Saint-Andre, the French coach, has dropped Picamoles, the French guy shown the yellow card for preventing release at a ruck, for the way he mockingly applauded referee Alain Rolland and then gave him the thumbs up as he left the field. "Certain attitudes have no place whatsoever in our sport" he commented, "respect is the foundation of our values. It is important to send a signal to all players who have the privilege of wearing the jersey and remind them it imposes duties and obligations." Well done Saint-Andre :rec: |
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| RCG | Tuesday, 25. February 2014, 22:34 Post #4 |
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Just read that article, fair play to him. How many football managers at ANY level would do that? |
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1:13 AM Jul 11