Are there some new interpretations or rules for refs this year. Seems in a few pre season games the refs have been whistle happy : HKR vs Salford 28 pens and Saints vs Giants 34 penalties.

The above games had 3 sin binnings and a sending off.

Anyone heard anything from Red hall

Our two friendlies, admittedly both officiated by Ronnie Laughton, have also been penalty fests

There is a vicious rumour that one day the PLAYERS may actually play by the rules of the game!

Until then I suppose match officials will have to penalise transgressors.

It's just the way it is, and it's unlikely to change anytime soon.

Or the rules have been changed again.

[url=http://www.sportinglife.com/rugbyleague/news/story_get.cgi?STORY_NAME=rleague/11/02/01/RUGBYL_St_Helens.html&BID=480Simmons unhappy with rule change[/url

Your making two big assumptions there.

1) That the RFL hasn't altered the rule or the interpretation of it.

2) That the RFL has properly communicated any such changes to players and coaches.

On both counts, the RFL doesn't exactly have a glowing record.

another 2!

3) that players, coaches and fans can read.

4) They are CAPABLE of understanding.

Really? Being penalised after lying on at the play the ball has always been in the rule book.

The amount of time which constitutes laying down varies from week to week, ref to ref and season to season

....and that is a big issue and makes the game increasingly frustrating to watch (and I assume to play and coach too)

Oh please god let this be true and last all season!
I'm off to buy a season ticket if this is confirmed, ever since i went to the world cup in 08 ive watched slow ptb turn games to dross, please dont give up after three weeks becasue the coaches and players complain

The problem with instructing refs to clampdown even more on their interpretation of lying on at the PTB will be that coaches will now be telling their players to milk the penalty. So basically the stricter rules will now encourage attacking players to use it to their advantage. Players will be working on their wriggling body technique with an exaggerated nodding head as I type.

This happens every year where the referees are told to focus and blow up frequently for Stuart Cummings 'latest clampdown rule of the new season. I question which big club coach has influenced Mr Cummings for the benefit of his own tactics? Fear not it usually only lasts a few games and then they forget all about it.

Judging by the many complaints from supporters of several clubs about the number of these penalties being awarded in friendly matches, it makes me think that the RFL are very consitent when it comes to shooting themselves in the foot.

Unless some common sense prevails a millenium magic penalty-athon weekend awaits!

bradford v wakefield was reffed by silverwood and he gave loads of pens for holding down.

expect it to last for about the first three weeks then disappear, then re appear on odd occasions for rest of the season.

consistency is all anyone asks

Hopefully they will have been instructed to penalize anybody pushing or leaning on the player as they play the ball , then Buderus can just pack in and go home

Crusaders v Leeds was a penalty fest for the first 20 mins or so but funnily enough the game sped up when the ref issued a final warning.

The refs will just be trying to put their stamp on the games at the start of the season.

They're simply getting their signals nice and crisp!!!

In the HKR - Salford game we even saw the novelty of a linesman run on with his flag raised! Must have been a couple of decades since this has happend!!!!! (for the benefit of Sheldon and the like this was sarcasm!).

As long as the refs penalise all teams consistently when offences occur rather than forgetting the rule for one team and not the other.

Who was doing that then?