Talking Footy

Fans turning away after 'rot' started in opening round: Stuart
By Christian Nicolussi
20 July 2018

Canberra coach Ricky Stuart says fans are turning away from rugby league because ''we're the only sport in the world that changes interpretations [of the rules] midway through the year'', and the referees have too many people telling them what to do.

Stuart also questioned the relevance of the NRL's $2 million bunker.

"All this rot started in round one this year,'' Stuart said.

"I don't know who came out and told the referees they had to come in and pick on everything in regards to the 10-metre rule, the interpretation of the ruck, all the work on the ground, hands on the ball, nit-picking at little bits and pieces of play.

"If we're realistic and going to do it right ... the penalty count should have been 55-60 if you're going to be fair dinkum.

"This is why people are turning off rugby league, and it's sad because I don't blame referees. They have a very tough job, but there are too many voices around them who are making it too hard for them.

"I believe we've got very competent referees, and I believe their training and work they do in regards to preparation going into a game is as professional as it can be.

"We have too much noise; too many people around them not letting them do their job.

"The bunker is a waste of time. For the referee to use it as a tool for 'I don't know' is wrong. The bunker is making it harder for the referees.''

Stuart likened the changing of rules mid-season to a cricket umpire ''saying lbw this week will only [include] leg stump and middle stump''.

"People don't understand this is our job, we play for results, and unfortunately it makes it harder when you've got people making errors that doesn't help you when you're after a result,'' Stuart said.

https://www.smh.com.au/sport/nrl/fans-t ... 4zsrk.html

AFLcrap1 wrote: Sat Jul 21, 2018 5:36 pm

Comedy genius

platoned wrote: Mon Jul 23, 2018 9:34 pm

Too cold to watch at the grounds. Nothing beats watching at home.

Beaussie wrote: Sat Jul 21, 2018 9:38 am

This NRL coach suggest crowds are down because of rule changes and referees. Me, well... I think crowds are embarrassingly low because the game itself is rubbish.

Remember the NRL plan to average 20,000?

Thoughts on dwindling NRL crowds? Some real shocking crowds the last couple of weeks in particular. But, but, but...

Fans turning away after 'rot' started in opening round: Stuart
By Christian Nicolussi
20 July 2018

Canberra coach Ricky Stuart says fans are turning away from rugby league because ''we're the only sport in the world that changes interpretations [of the rules] midway through the year'', and the referees have too many people telling them what to do.

Stuart also questioned the relevance of the NRL's $2 million bunker.

"All this rot started in round one this year,'' Stuart said.

"I don't know who came out and told the referees they had to come in and pick on everything in regards to the 10-metre rule, the interpretation of the ruck, all the work on the ground, hands on the ball, nit-picking at little bits and pieces of play.

"If we're realistic and going to do it right ... the penalty count should have been 55-60 if you're going to be fair dinkum.

"This is why people are turning off rugby league, and it's sad because I don't blame referees. They have a very tough job, but there are too many voices around them who are making it too hard for them.

"I believe we've got very competent referees, and I believe their training and work they do in regards to preparation going into a game is as professional as it can be.

"We have too much noise; too many people around them not letting them do their job.

"The bunker is a waste of time. For the referee to use it as a tool for 'I don't know' is wrong. The bunker is making it harder for the referees.''

Stuart likened the changing of rules mid-season to a cricket umpire ''saying lbw this week will only [include] leg stump and middle stump''.

"People don't understand this is our job, we play for results, and unfortunately it makes it harder when you've got people making errors that doesn't help you when you're after a result,'' Stuart said.

https://www.smh.com.au/sport/nrl/fans-t ... 4zsrk.html

leeroy*NRL* wrote: Tue Jul 24, 2018 10:04 am

to AFL fan this may be hard to understand..

but when watching a Rugby League game at the ground..

you miss alot of stuff in the ruck and off the ball
also in a game of Rugby league Play can be down one end for long periods.
where you do not see much at all if you are at other side of ground.

where you see this superbly on TV

(this is why Rugby Codes will never get such big attendances and will always get bigger tv figures..

NlolRL wrote: Tue Jul 24, 2018 1:49 pm

leeroy*NRL* wrote: Tue Jul 24, 2018 10:04 am

to AFL fan this may be hard to understand..

but when watching a Rugby League game at the ground..

you miss alot of stuff in the ruck and off the ball
also in a game of Rugby league Play can be down one end for long periods.
where you do not see much at all if you are at other side of ground.

where you see this superbly on TV

(this is why Rugby Codes will never get such big attendances and will always get bigger tv figures..

Thanks Leeroy, I missed that old chestnut excuse. Too good on TV