Rex
Bencher
Des hasn't publicly ranted about the refereeing, but that doesn't stop him from seeking a considered response from Harrigan. Questions include:
1. Does Harrigan agree:
a) The video ref's brief is to provide BOD to the attacking team
b) When the ball was stripped from Simmons, it clearly travelled (one metre) backwards towards Manly - that is not in a forward direction
c) Foran's only contact with the ball was when it was held by Simmons - there was no separation, and therefore Foran did not knock the ball onto Simmons.
2. Is Sutton's justification for his decision, the hand direction of Foran at last contact with the ball? If so, does Harrigan agree that this interpretation is misguided as the rule on hand direction relates solely to passing a ball, and makes no reference at all to strips.
3. If Sutton's interpretation is approved, then will Harrigan consistently apply this new interpretation to all strip situations? For example if a tackler hits the ball with a forward motion when making a tackle and the ball pops out, then it will always be a knockon against the tackler because of the forward motion, irrespective of whether the ball travels forward or backwards?
1. Does Harrigan agree:
a) The video ref's brief is to provide BOD to the attacking team
b) When the ball was stripped from Simmons, it clearly travelled (one metre) backwards towards Manly - that is not in a forward direction
c) Foran's only contact with the ball was when it was held by Simmons - there was no separation, and therefore Foran did not knock the ball onto Simmons.
2. Is Sutton's justification for his decision, the hand direction of Foran at last contact with the ball? If so, does Harrigan agree that this interpretation is misguided as the rule on hand direction relates solely to passing a ball, and makes no reference at all to strips.
3. If Sutton's interpretation is approved, then will Harrigan consistently apply this new interpretation to all strip situations? For example if a tackler hits the ball with a forward motion when making a tackle and the ball pops out, then it will always be a knockon against the tackler because of the forward motion, irrespective of whether the ball travels forward or backwards?