The Ref

[Pockets]

Was it just me or was Mark Lawrence a show pony last night?
Some of his decions were bizarre to say the least and he seemd to want to be the centre of attention.
It did not matter in the end, but I thought he had a dreadful game

[shasta]

Was it just me or was Mark Lawrence a show pony last night?
Some of his decions were bizarre to say the least and he seemd to want to be the centre of attention.
It did not matter in the end, but I thought he had a dreadful game

He seems to control the game well most times and has a pretty ok manner with the players. I reckon he's the best SA referee.

But your right he didn't have one of his better nights. Some of the decisions at the breakdown were unfathomable. He seemed to want to police offside early on but then looked to have forgotten all about it.

I think it may be a while before he totally trusts his judgement of the grounding again. Unless he's SA version of Bill Harrigan.

Good luck for next week. I hope you'll need it.

[rugby78]

first 20 minute of the second have seemed to be controlled solely by the refs decisions I don't think he was as bad as some of the others we have seen over here !!!!!!!

[Shaun]

That decision of Gops try was pathetic...

[jazza93]

he did ok but a few poor decisions there and he should have gone to tmo for gopperths try on 75 because he obiosly didnt see the ball being grounded. o well in my opion hes one of the better refs i didnt hate him last night as much as i usally hate the ref.

[prop53]

yes another ref with his eyes on the world cup. missed the grounding and some of the canes tackles could or should have put a few more away for 10mins.
But a win is a win is a win
GO THE FORCE

[Thequeerone]

Both Hurricane Tries were illegal - the score should have been
18-3 to The FORCE

[shasta]

Both Hurricane Tries were illegal - the score should have been
18-3 to The FORCE

Dead right. If it wasn't obstruction, and I have some doubt there, it must have been accidental offside.

[pruc]

ref was crap. he had no control over anything. listening to sports ears boof was cutting into him wot about spear tackles? isnt that a sinbin?!?!? and a shoulder charge. touchies were usless with helping the ref out.

[blueandblack]

he was really strict on the lineouts.

[pruc]

he was ussually right with that. but he sucked at HANDS IN THE RUCK!!

[stejwill]

I didn't think he was too bad - apart from the Gopperth try that wasn't. Some refs have come over here and given us a pasting, I think because we are new and, therefore, are assumed to know bugger all about the rules of rugby.

[shasta]

I think because we are new and, therefore, are assumed to know bugger all about the rules of rugby.

I doubt that. The Western Force is new to the game. The players and staff sure aren't. I think it's more a matter of gaining respect from the referees as John Mitchell has said. That's building by the week, thankfully.

[frontrow]

We shouldn't have to gain respect as they should be impartial anyway, but i tend to agree with you on that Shasta, unfortunately...

[joblot]

I think he wants the limelight.
His decision to make Sheps move the kicking tee 2 inches further towards the touch line after he had set up the ball for the final conversion was bloody pathetic. Deserves a good kick in the equipment.