So, after 2 and a half rounds, and the world club games, I was interested to know who people prefer to be in charge for their teams games.

I know its early days but after every game it seems the refs are talked about, and usually negatively. Some have proposed that the refs are influencing the game so much as to make some less enjoyable to spectators which I believe is a very big problem, people get put off, new viewers dont get see quality games and the game can suffer for it.

So, thoughts?

Personally I prefer to have Thaler, I feel he lets the game flow better and quicker than most, and constantly talks to the players letting them know what he expects. He also doesnt seem to be as much as a soft touch as some. However this is just my personal opinion.

No problems with any of the match officials.
There are loads of problems with the players and coaches, they are the ones causing them, no one else.

Match officials will always make some mistakes, they have to make split second judgements throughout the 80 minutes.
Players make more mistakes and the Sky pundits over analyse every last problem, sometimes when there is nothing to see.

Human error is part and parcel of the game and there seems little change on last season, apart from the improvement (generally speaking) in the obstruction rule.

I'd just like to see the laws enforced:

1. Walking off the mark. happens all the time could easily be stopped. One warning, then start giving penalties.

2. When a ref shouts "Release!", any more than, what, say a couple of seconds and opponents still have their hands on him: automatic pen. And yes, I realise there are occasions when the ball-carrier will trap a tackler's arm, hoping to milk a pen, but once again, it's up to refs to be vigilant about this.

3. Offside at re-starts. Used to be policed quite strictly, still is in the NRL. This season it seems completely forgotten about.

I'm sure there are others.

Where's the option for couldn't care less?

They all make mistakes, as does every player, as do you. The criticism of refereeing is beyond boring now.

I like the new video referee rules on televised games. Too many referees were using the video ref to make decisions for them, now they have to make a ruling based on real time, and the video referee is asked to back him up.

Tend to agree. Of course, coaches could always try setting an example...

I find it annoying that an attacker can trap or hold a player in the tackle. The referees often see this and give the defender more time to get out of the tackle. Why not just penalise players for trying to milk penalties.

Agree with this. Mostly. Failure to deal properly with dissent is another matter though. That isn't a split second judgement and while Leaguefan's view that players and coaches are to blame is partially correct, refs do have the tools at their disposal to deal with this.

Think each of the refs generally get most things right most of the time. If I had to pick one though, it would be Thaler at the moment.

Thaler having a great game today

The players and the ref are doing very different jobs. Player mistakes are part of the game, a knock on is followed by a scrum, for example. Referee mistakes are not, if a knock on is not followed by a scrum then the game has been adulterated for the worse, therefore these mistakes have to be kept to an absolute minimum and we have every right to complain if there are too many or if not enough is being done to reduce them.

I do agree with you about Sky though. No need to analyse every decision or to get Cummings' opinion on every call. It's cringeworthy.

Feck the refs. We harp on about them too much, to be honest, I think we should stop naming the referees.

Surprised Leaguebore has not posted on this thread yet.....

Are you sure??

Well if he has, he must still be on my foe list.

Just checked and he is, happy days!

No option for Childs? I am disappoint.

Thought Thaler went very well today, long may it continue.

I'm surprised that there isn't an option for Sinfield....apparently he's reffed us to 6 GF wins.

Are...are you a meerkat?