Just some questions I have about rules:
1. Why are some knock ons just a turnover/play on with where the team gets the ball, while sometimes it’s a scrum? Comparing the 2 - surely a scrum is more advantageous in most circumstances? (I think I’m across 5th tackle is just a turnover play the ball). Sometimes the ball comes free on tackle 2, falls to an opposition player who is tackled immediately and it’s play on, other times it’s a scrum.
Is this just referees discretion, where unless there’s a distinct disadvantage it’s just play on (to please keep the ball in play PVL).
2. A) When defending (let’s say on halfway) and a player is called offside by the referee, very loudly and obvious to hear over the broadcast - what are the ramifications if they get involved?
B) Is there any difference if it’s a “quick tap” vs a play the ball?
Is it a penalty? A 6 again? Any potential for a sin bin?
3. Thirdly, how do we feel about referees trying to manage the game vs enforcing rules? In this circumstance, would we prefer the referee doesn’t say anything? Or do we like that they are calling out players?
(Maybe it’s a mindset thing, but I feel like we are too nice, and when called out, players seem to stop - which made me curious of the ramifications)
Another example: It became quite obvious yesterday, referee kept calling our tacklers to let go, get off etc on most tackles the moment the player hit the ground. I’d say it was happening roughly 4 tackles every set we defended (Something I couldn’t stop noticing). When titans were defending, there was maybe 1 call per set for them to move/get off, the rest of the communication was telling the defensive line to “hold”.
It kind of makes sense to me that for the ref to be yelling at our tacklers to get off so frequently, he’s unhappy with the speed, why doesn’t he blow a penalty/6 again if he thinks we are holding on too long most tackles?