Third Test (DECIDER!) - ENG v NZ (Sat 14th 1 PM GMT/Sun 15th 12AM AEST / 2AM NZDT)

[Harrigan]

If England go with Smith they will win. George Williams has shown that he has a good future but is also a bit out of his depth at the moment. He's only got the ball to Watkins maybe 8 times in 2 games. That's just not good enough at this level

 

[kiwileaguefan]

I heard Ben Thaler been confirmed as the referee?

 

[roughyedspud]

Yep its ben thaler

 

[kiwileaguefan]

Interesting....so if England win the series, both victories will be in matches refereed by an Englishman....

 

[roughyedspud]

Oh cmon..thaler reffed his game better than sutton did reguardless of nationality..

Sutton blew up every 2min 30sec on average lol

 

[Fast Eddie]

Oh cmon..thaler reffed his game better than sutton did reguardless of nationality..

Sutton blew up every 2min 30sec on average lol

More like England went from an insanely disciplined side that have away 2 penalties in 80 minutes, including 0 in a whole half to conceding 7 in a match, much closer to a normal Rugby League average.

 

[Last Week]

Oh cmon..thaler reffed his game better than sutton did reguardless of nationality..

Sutton blew up every 2min 30sec on average lol

Lol. Please. I'm sure you were on here last year demanding Sutton's head, demanding a neutral ref after the Australia vs England match in the 4 nations.

 

[deluded pom?]

I'll argue for neutral refs until they're screwing the lid down.

 

[roughyedspud]

Lol. Please. I'm sure you were on here last year demanding Sutton's head, demanding a neutral ref after the Australia vs England match in the 4 nations.

both the brothers heads should be on stakes after that ryan hall try lol


but...im not arguing about neutral refs here...well all knew thaler & sutton where the refs and one of them would get the 3rd test..


thaler,hands down,reffed the test far,far better than sutton did...end of story..so it should'nt be a surprise he's got the 3rd test..


i also think you'll find the kiwis had a say in who is reffing the 3rd test too...

 

[Last Week]

So who should be the ref in your opinion? Thaler or Sutton?

 

[hazzadis]

Sutton if they used origin rules...fug all penalties...I just hope we're talking about how awesome the test was and no controversial reffing shit which happens all the time in NRL!

 

[langpark]

If they'd appointed Sutton for all three from the very beginning, we wouldn't be discussing the refereeing at all, I guarantee you that.

 

[roughyedspud]

We would cos hes fxxking shit

 

[roughyedspud]

Sutton if they used origin rules...fug all penalties...I just hope we're talking about how awesome the test was and no controversial reffing shit which happens all the time in NRL!

They where no controverses from the first test...they never is from english refs...don't forget it was a english ref that sent morley off after 12seconds...and when english ref as done the anzac tests they are generally praised...

Its when you get dickheads like the gerrard brothers who instead of being test match refs they think they are UN peacekeepers and blow up for every tiny little thing...ooh you can't do that,you can't do this...fxxking nonsense

 

[langpark]

They where no controverses from the first test...they never is from english refs...don't forget it was a english ref that sent morley off after 12seconds...and when english ref as done the anzac tests they are generally praised...

Its when you get dickheads like the gerrard brothers who instead of being test match refs they think they are UN peacekeepers and blow up for every tiny little thing...ooh you can't do that,you can't do this...fxxking nonsense

Ask the kiwis if they were happy with Thaler in Game I, I think you'll get a very different answer.

I do agree with a lot of what you said though, English refs generally tend to be ballsier than the Aussies.

But I insist that neutral referees are essential, no matter what.

 

[Last Week]

Spud, want to answer my question?

Who do you think should be the ref? Thaler or Sutton?

 

[Bovrick]

If it's Sutton or Thaler it has to be Sutton, even though I rate Thaler as the better ref. Wish we'd been able to have another Aussie ref take the first test, then pick between them for the third but we have what we have.

Hopefully the RLIF start making strides in increasing the referee pools soon, as they're aiming for.

 

[langpark]

If it's Sutton or Thaler it has to be Sutton, even though I rate Thaler as the better ref. Wish we'd been able to have another Aussie ref take the first test, then pick between them for the third but we have what we have.

See that right there is part of the problem! This whole 'picking' bullsh** only further encourages public scrutiny.

The guy has been reffing at top level for how many years!? There are plenty of matches to judge them on. If you're considered #1, (and you're neutral) you should be able to get all three matches. One (perceived) error should not cost them the job. They're refs guys, not little guinea pigs.

Anyway, this is frustrating. What other sport does this with their refs? (i'm talking about both the administrators and the fans here)

 

[deluded pom?]

See that right there is part of the problem! This whole 'picking' bullsh** only further encourages public scrutiny.

The guy has been reffing at top level for how many years!? There are plenty of matches to judge them on. If you're considered #1, (and you're neutral) you should be able to get all three matches. One (perceived) error should not cost them the job. They're refs guys, not little guinea pigs.

Anyway, this is frustrating. What other sport does this with their refs? (i'm talking about both the administrators and the fans here)

This.

 

[Bovrick]

There are such things as objective errors too, not that I'm saying that Sutton made any here. Referees drift in and out of form, thrive more or less on the big stages - just like everyone else in every other job. I don't like the idea of exempting them from scrutiny - though I will concede that judging them after a single match is harsh.

Sutton was presumably chosen for a reason over other referees, there's no escaping rewarding good worth and penalising bad work no matter how you play it. I guess I'm just more comfortable looking at shorter term form than you guys. Nothing to get too upset about really.