Russell Smith - Greatest referee in the world?

[Ari Gold]

congratulations to Russell Smith, performed superbly under pressure and made few if not any mistakes.

a good change from the sh*t standard of NRL referees...

 

[Costaki]

yeah refed good congrats

 

[Iafeta]

He was fantastic, really was. I agree with Gus, if thats how he consistently refs, have him in charge of all internationals.

 

[bartman]

Good not have to hear/think about the ref making the difference in a game, especially one that ended a draw. Big change from NRL :lol:

 

[OVP]

sign him up Gallop !!

offer him $1 million if you have to ... just get him here PLEASE !!

 

[thuganomics]

He is a great Referee.
Best in the world now that Bill Harrigon is goone.

 

[Evil Homer]

sign him up Gallop !!

offer him $1 million if you have to ... just get him here PLEASE !!

I think just about every ESL fan will be hoping and praying that happens,me included.

 

[bulldog]

He did a great job today , but I think I remember him ruining a few tests a while back . Hopefully all the refs in the series can perform at or near this level...a nice dream anyway , I'm sure we're gonna see some bizarre decisions before the end . :roll:

 

[Corbin]

i thought he went ok considereding he is from esl which is a HUGE downgrade from the nrl, couple of mistakes but meh no1s perfect

 

[Misanthrope]

He's reffed one the best games I've seen in recent times. His ESL standard isn't always that high, so I wouldn't say he's the best in the world. Still, good to see a ref who isn't in the NRL capable of handling a game.

 

[Auckland4ever]

Havent seen Smith referee an ESL game for years, but I usually like the way he refs internationals. He tends to let the game flow.

 

[Fampa]

I took me a while to get used to his leniancy around the ruck and play the ball, I though the penalty count would have been much higher. Well it would have if an NRL ref had been in charge. I like the amount of latitude they give a test, a bit more niggle and a lot more facials. Just like the Tasman tests of old.

 

[The Clan]

i thought he went ok considereding he is from esl which is a HUGE downgrade from the nrl, couple of mistakes but meh no1s perfect

Typical comment from an NRL blinkered biggot!

The NRL is a tougher comp than the ESL but the gap aint as big as you Ausies need to believe.

Still keep on kidding yourselfs right up to the point where GB take over as the dominant international team.

No doubt even then you will need a period of denial and then time to come to terms with your loss of status.

It might not happen this year or next but the standards in the UK are increasing rapidly and it will happen, such is the cycle of sporting dominance.

 

[Thunderstruck]

NOOO!!! Don't bring him to the NRL! He'll only turn crap like any other NRL ref we have now! :lol: :lol: :lol:

 

[dimitri]

i cant believe that this guy has been left out in the cold

because the arl has said only their refs are capable of reffing matches in the past

it was ridiculous seeing aus v nz tests wth bill harrigan in charge


having russell smith in charge today was a very refreshing change

 

[OVP]

sign him up Gallop !!

offer him $1 million if you have to ... just get him here PLEASE !!

I think just about every ESL fan will be hoping and praying that happens,me included.

One single game with Shane Hayne/Simpkins/Mander in charge, and i can see you Poms being appreciative of Russell Smith BIGTIME !!

 

[Dr Crane]

Never seemed to make an offside call, missed high tackles....maybe as soon as they cross the equator they become NRL Refs.

Had the balls to call a forward pass.

 

[Skinner]

I have thought for some years now that he is a world class ref. Yesterday
just proved it.

Cheers
Skinner

 

[carlnz]

He had a good game, loads better than any current NRL referee

 

[dimitri]

sign him up Gallop !!

offer him $1 million if you have to ... just get him here PLEASE !!

I think just about every ESL fan will be hoping and praying that happens,me included.

One single game with Shane Hayne/Simpkins/Mander in charge, and i can see you Poms being appreciative of Russell Smith BIGTIME !!

haha i agree