I put it to Amanda that she has a present worth 90 Euros which she can swap out. If she chooses to swap she will either get a present worth 130 Euros or zilch. I'll leave it to her.
If they gave football referees the same amount of power as they do Rugby ones, then I'm sure the arguing with referees would be greatly reduced. The problem with football is there's very little the referee can actually do to stop it. If the referee dared to yellow and then red card a player for arguing with him, then there would be uproar amongst fans, pundits and players and probably the referee would lose his job. Where as a Rugby referee gets credited for having a no nonsense approach
When football players start grabbing each other maybe the ref should say "this is not rugby". If football refs could use the replay and get decisions relayed to them, as in rugby, there would be less arguing and dissent. I have to stress I said "less". In rugby (and cricket) key decisions are, to a large extent, out of the ref's/umpire's hands. I'm sure that helps. In football, some diabolical, game changing decisions are made and it's understandable that players will plea/argue with the ref/linesman. Whereas players will accept what isn't debatable and carry on.
Thing is though, it used to happen all the time. I can remember the likes of Gazza and Pearce getting sent off for being gobby. I have no idea why it changed but it really needs to be brought back - you can't have that type of behaviour whilst seeking to promote a "respect" agenda.
Can see what you mean, football is also more of a game of opinions too. Interesting that Howard Webb after watching numerous replays didn't think the challenge that broke Luke Shaws Leg was even a foul, yet another former referee Perluigi Collini(spelling) said it was a straight red. This is 2 referees who've watched numerous replays from all angles having different opinions. Cricketers though are far from respectful to the umpires, any time they appeal for an LBW the whole team screams at the umpire putting pressure on him to give the decision. They only need the bowler to appeal politely, no need for 10 of them to scream and shout at him as loud as they can
Cyc, fantastic clip. That's how to referee, Nigel Owens is the best in the business. I really would like to stuff this clip down the throats of, firstly, two Bayern Munich officials, namely Pep Guardiola and Matthias Sammer. Their oft-repeated yelling and bitching can turn football players into a load of pansies. There is just too much cheating and play-acting in football. Regrettably, far too many so-called football fans seem to think it marvellous and clever.
Agree on cricket and it always seems that the fielding team get more leeway than the batsmen - if you show any dissent at all when you're out you get fined. Back to rugby, the video referee is only a recent innovation but the players had always been well behaved before that. Whilst footballers have probably always questioned a ref's decisions, the questioning of his parentage and sexual proclivities is a more modern thing. As I said before, I don't get it as it didn't used to happen without sanction. My favourite ref story concerns Billy Bremner Bremner "ref, what would you do if I called you a bastard?" Ref: "I'd send you off" Bremner "what if i thought you were a bastard?" Ref "I cannot control your thoughts Billy" Bremner "ok - ref I think you're a bastard"
So it would appear that Slamming Sam is seriously considering a return to League. Can't say I blame him really when club and country are poles apart on his best position within union. He seems a good guy and he's already a legend in the league version. An absolute shambles really as is the line up for this upcoming whitewash sorry review of the hosts performance in RWC 2015.
The crazy thing is that Sam Burgess actually looked like the one world class guy to handle the occasion v Wales! He nullified Jamie Roberts all game and the minute he got subbed, England fell apart thanks to Brad Barrett and his ridiculous line charge. The constant selection of failed experiments is where the blame lies- not exciting potential like Burgess. Sam has all the skills to be one of the very best players in world Rugby Union and I hope he sticks at it and develops in one of those positions. He is exactly the sort of 6 or 12 we need- he will be a stellar player in 4 years time. He has the pace, tackle ability and ball skills to be a monster back row player, but equally he could develop into a top class inside centre with experience. I would LOVE to see Sam Tomkins come cross codes too- he would be terrific.
Nice article by Chris Hewett of the "Independent" on New Zealand's Dan Carter: http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/...-tale-swansong-to-ease-the-pain-a6712586.html
