Mailbox: Make captain decide if it goes to the screen, not the referee
Mailbox gives you the chance to get your voice heard and start the debate with the rugby league audience. Want to be featured? Email the editor: james@loverugbyleague.com
Dear Editor,
I think if the video ref rules need improvement.
I would make it so the captain decides if it goes to the screen or not and are only allowed four calls per game. That would be on both attack and defence.
This would add excitement to the game and get away from the ref looking at most tries now in fear of making an error.
Like in cricket put the choice back on the captain / players.
Mark Thompson
Editor’s comment: We do need to minimise the use of video referee, but not at the expense of getting the right decision. If there is doubt over an offside at a kick, or the grounding of the ball, then I can see why tries should be referred, but other than that it does seem that as Mark says, referees refer due to fear of being wrong. Adding a “flag on the play” akin to the NRL, would at least add a bit of interest around that – though what would happen if a team has used all their calls and then have a try given that should have been ruled out because they didn’t have the power to challenge. I’d maybe like to see something a bit closer to VAR in football, where someone in the background is observing the video and can make a call to the on-field referee if a blatant infringement has been made.
Mailbox gives you the chance to get your voice heard and start the debate with the rugby league audience. Want to be featured? Email the editor: james@loverugbyleague.com