I'm happy to use this season as an experiment , I like the changes, it's a perfect time to tinker with the game imo because let's get real the season is a write off.
I feel like the rule changes being pushed through quickly , is because of the opportunity we have to showcase the game , and like it or not the game in the last few years has become really tactical and sometimes boring . And yes , a penalty a thon.
I think it’s out of line , and opportunistic from the refs . Especially when you consider all contracts will be honoured . The Sutton’s are a mess. The KPIs they strive to hit , should never have been put in place , and in fact the only metric should be “did I notice you , or not “ . Giving autonomy to the refs is a good thing . Even if what people say is true , in that they don’t have the confidence , this should reinforce this . But it’s always been perspective to me .
Phil Gould said recently that many of the top refs have never played before . He can be a mug , but if that’s true , no wonder the disconnect between what the refs view is a good game , and everyone else .
There has always been a lot of refs who never played the game, I don't think it makes any difference to be honest.