ClanofLams wrote: » Every other rugby league in the world manages to avoid this, it isn’t too complicated. As far as I know it only affects Frank Murphy (as in he is the only ex player reffing in the league?) and he only represented two teams. It’s really not too difficult to avoid the situation of him reffing one of those teams in non Covid times. The league just hasn’t bothered in the past, could have easily sent him to other games (eg he has reffed in Sportsground when he could have reffed in rds) but didn’t. A league making a major transformation and going into a brand new market should be looking to avoid impressions of potential new fans going “wtf is going on here? this guy played for them 100 times and is now reffing them??” which would be the reaction should it occur.
Former Former Former wrote: » I wasn't talking about one specific poster, just the number of posts along the lines of "now I'm not saying he cost us the game but..." over the last couple of days. I don't think it's fair to call the guy's integrity into question.
Festive Life wrote: » That takes time. How would you suggest they get more refs to that level? You cant just push people who may not be ready. At moment IRFU are training refs to higher level than other unions within the league. will take time for other unions to bring through more officials. In soccer its counties who develop the refs and pro teams etc arent linked. Rugby the associations are far more linked so its hard to change. Its a multi nation league. until there is a pro ref from Connacht and more from Ulster and Leinster then this wont change and very hard to force refs through to this level especially before they are ready.
ClanofLams wrote: » They need to get a couple of more refs in so. This genuinely wouldn't happen in amateur sport or any other professional league. It makes the league look very small time and I am someone who normally defends it. They need to do it quickly and at a minimum, Murphy shouldn't be reffing Connacht when at all avoidable, as it has been frequently in the past.
b.gud wrote: » The OP literally said he is not to blame for the loss, see below
thomond2006 wrote: » Clan, you see to stop blaming Frank Murphy for everything.
Festive Life wrote: » There is one or two. Ben Balin. Sam Grove White. And yeah totally irresponsible to fly over refs needlessly from abroad right now He is a Munster, MAR, ref. But all pro refs in Ireland are from Munster apart from Sean Gallagher. And of the development group behind them. of the 4 members 2 are from Munster. With numbers of refs limited i dont think they could be able to stop guys reffing the side where theyre from or who they played for.
Former Former Former wrote: » Very unfair to be blaming Frank Murphy lads. He didn't cost ye the game
ClanofLams wrote: » Without making any comment on Murphy’s standard of reffing and certainly not in any way blaming him for loss, it’s ridiculous that he is reffing Connacht anyway, makes the league look tin pot and needs to stop if league is going to work. Imagine Murphy reffing Connacht v Stormers in tight game and marginal decision given to Connacht that effectively decides game. South African media would think it is absolutely ridiculous. And they would be right.
thomond2006 wrote: » Questions need to be asked about what Scotland is doing in ref development. Aside from Mike Adamson, I can't remember seeing any SRU affiliated ref in the Pro14 for years. As for right now, it would be irresponsible to fly over referees from overseas.
ClanofLams wrote: » Yes of course in current circumstances it’s fine. But Murphy has been reffing Connacht long before Covid. He has reffed Connacht when he could have reffed Leinster/Ulster. I don’t think he can ref Munster anyway? Isn’t he registered with them? After this season it needs to stop. No other league would tolerate a guy reffing a team he has one hundred appearances for. You wouldn’t see it at amateur sport, never mind professional.
Shelflife wrote: » I had no problem with the decision at the time. We brought on two young props and struggled a bit afterwards. Scrums got messy and from Frank’s POV he had enough at that stage. I think one of the infringements was a free kick which would mean they wouldn’t get the throw in if they kicked it. Their maul was a serious weapon so that’s why they went for the lineout. Birch has gone from coaching at T14 to Pro14 to J1A so he probably genuinely doesn’t know what’s going on and is looking for help !
molloyjh wrote: » I didn't see the game so only working off the footage in that clip. I understand Murphys decision, but I also understand what Butler was saying afterwards. Would really need to see from the other side exactly what is happening before I could really make a call on it. It honestly could be either or, but it could also be both. As Buer said, there are often so many infringements from either side in a scrum that a clear definitively correct outcome isnt always possible. You'd have to have some sympathy for officials in that case too as it becomes effectively an impossible job to referee is properly.
Bazzo wrote: » I'm pretty clueless about scrummaging, just thought some bits of the thread were interesting. He wasn't impressed with how Murphy dealt with Butler after. Edit: I think the arguement Buerch and Butler were making was that Connacht were side stepping because Spreys where wheeling the far side. The fact they went for the corner rather than another scrum straight after was curious
Buer wrote: » Ignoring your hurtful and scurrilous wordplay, I've watched that clip about a dozen times now and I'm ok with the decision. Obviously, in a scrum there's normally about a half dozen issues that could be penalised but, based on Murphy's call there, the Connacht pack does appear to be shifting across and coming around to the open side. Were there other factors or infringements? Quite possibly but I can't disagree with the specific call. It's something I've seen plenty of teams do and be rewarded as a dominant scrum. They shift all of their weight off to one side where they think they'll get the most reward instead of driving straight. In that clip, I don't think Connacht were very subtle at all about it, to be honest.
Bazzo wrote: » Buernard Jackman weighing in on some of the scrum reffing from yesterday.
macslash wrote: » Is that aimed at me or who?
Number 137 wrote: » I always find it interesting when certain individuals decide to constantly castigate a referee. It's usually very generic, nothing specific, in terms of what the referee's actual issues are. I'd be curious to know what your particular bug bears are, instead of hiding behind cliched buzz terms. I fully accept that watching games can be frustrating when decisions don't go our way. But let's be honest, Connacht don't lose games because referee A or B is refereeing. They lose games because of their own short comings.
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