No Punching rule ruined the game

[forward pass]

Does anyone agree that the no punching edict ruined last nights game as a spectacle.

Clearly there would have been a decent blue in the first half, but as we have seen in the past, once the blue is over, everyone settles down and plays footy. Last night just seemed to be a lot of players with pent up anger and frustration and that lead to increased wrestling, facial massages in tackles, sneaky forearms etc. It was just grubby.

Let them get it out of their system, send a couple to the bin and get on with the footy.

 

[BranVan3000]

Year there was nothing wrong with how the rules used to be

 

[Walt Flanigan]

The AFL style melees were a bit meh.

Maybe there would have been less niggle if they were allowed to sort it out properly.

 

[Canard]

100% Yes

 

[juro]

If they had penalised the niggle more, it would have stopped.

 

[Bronco18]

I reckon the refs have just gotta let the game keep playing, players will stop an all in group hug if people start making breaks up field.

It does look pathetic, and it slowed the game down to a ridiculous pace. I wouldn't be surprised if coaches start using it as a tactic.

 

[Radical Rat]

Does anyone agree that the no punching edict ruined last nights game as a spectacle.

Clearly there would have been a decent blue in the first half, but as we have seen in the past, once the blue is over, everyone settles down and plays footy. Last night just seemed to be a lot of players with pent up anger and frustration and that lead to increased wrestling, facial massages in tackles, sneaky forearms etc. It was just grubby.

Let them get it out of their system, send a couple to the bin and get on with the footy.

I couldn't agree more. That game barely even resembled footy.

Awesome result, but it was absolute dog sh!t to watch. Everyone loves a bit of niggle, but it was just ugly. It's a fine balance between the rough stuff and still playing some footy and it skewed horribly wrong last night.

Take away the drama and the emotion of NSW trying to break the drought and it was bordering on boring to watch.

 

[some11]

They should have all started swinging, cant send everyone off.

A dust up is a pressure reliever which allows them to focus on footy again.

 

[WaznTheGreat]

No the players ruined the game,they need to stop thinking there tough boxers and just play Rugby League.

 

[BunniesMan]

They should have all started swinging, cant send everyone off.

A dust up is a pressure reliever which allows them to focus on footy again.

They would have sent a few. No guarantee at all they'd send 1 and 1 or 2 and 2. You'd be taking a huge gamble. And what if they send one teams winger and the other teams halfback? Too much risk

 

[bluebag43]

100% agree!

 

[Slammin_Saint89]

Both teams should have nominated a champion and had it out.

 

[Doomednow]

Both teams should have nominated a champion and had it out.

That would be pretty fantastic, actually.

 

[Radical Rat]

Brett White would be in for an immediate recall.

 

[Vic Mackey]

A lot of rugby league tragics loved it. However all the casual rugby league fans at work today were saying how boring they found it. Games like that won't bring new fans in.

Totally agree with the no punch ruining it. When guys like thurston know they can slap beau Scott and nothings going to happen to them we know we've got it wrong. All that's going to happen is these ridiculous group hugs every 5 minutes.

 

[Radical Rat]

A lot of rugby league tragics loved it. However all the casual rugby league fans at work today were saying how boring they found it. Games like that won't bring new fans in.

Totally agree with the no punch ruining it. When guys like thurston know they can slap beau Scott and nothings going to happen to them we know we've got it wrong. All that's going to happen is these ridiculous group hugs every 5 minutes.

This....

I'm a tragic and I thought it was shit.

 

[drake]

It seemed to me as if both teams were trying to get the other side to throw a punch and lose a player or 2 to the bin. Coaches will try and exploit any rule.

 

[Dufmack]

That style of play definitely can't continue, I didn't mind it as it made hodkinson's try that just more special, however to appeal to the majority of viewers it must be brought up to NRL speed at least, and offsides more enforced.

Removing the punching rule would be great for origin and fix what happened last night but as much as I want old rules back it will just never happen. If only they sent gallen last year the stupid knee jerk reaction wouldn't of occurred.

Still game 1 was outstanding so it's possible to maintain quality games, refs need a talking too and I'm sure they will improve for game 3.

 

[Masoe_eats_babies]

Wait till game 3 baby. The biff will come. Hodges is finally gonna get sorted out in his last game of Origin. It will be beautiful.

 

[Sensai Cobra]

No, the refereeing ruined the game

Too much wrestling in the ruck, very short 10mtrs and a refusal to blow off side penaltys meant both sides had no space to to anything with ball.

Would it have been better if they'd had a blue early and got it out if their system.....yes