Septimius Severus wrote:
Offside
Following a completed tackle, all but two of the defending team (the markers) must retreat at least ten metres from the point at which the tackle is made. This distance is marked by the referee. Following the play-the-ball, defenders are permitted to advance to try to put pressure on the attackers and to reduce the distance they can make with the ball. If a defender who has failed to retreat 10 metres interferes with play, then he will be deemed to have been offside and this will result in a penalty to the attacking team. Equally, if a defender advances too quickly before the ball is played, then this will also result in a penalty to the attackers. When a player kicks the ball, his teammates must be behind him, or they will be called for offside if they interfere with the play. (Wikipedia)
Wigan and Saints advance when the tackled player stands up, not play the ball. Resulting in a tackle on the gain line not as you would expect some where between 10 metres and the gain line. Do this 5 times and jobs a good 'un.
Percival was so far off-side he nearly took the pass to Amone. Instead he decided to clatter him round the head. Thanks Kendall for protecting the players.
Somebody needs to show Wellens a highlights package of James Bell tackles (shoulder charges, and leading with the head) of course he is one-eyed monster and will choose not see what everybody can see. Still hoping for a "Bringing the game into dispute" to land on his animatronic head.
Both teams were identical in their [cough] line speed. Both teams very up for it, both teams consistently offside. Saints held down as we generally dominated the collisions and Leigh chose to flop (And I mean consistently, almost every tackle). So Kendall just chose to ignore it all and it resulted in an absolute ding dong of a game. Kendall had a good game, he could have given a world record number of penalties and six agains and just didn't, which led to one of the best games of the season.
The key decisions in the game were right, but very close to 50:50s and could easily have gone the other way on another night. There was no obvious forward pass in the Makinson try (The Batchelor pass MAY have been forward, but it was very, very close if so), the ball probably was touched for the disallowed try and there was no knock on by Bell for Batchelor's try (It was taken out of his hand by Lam whilst he was still in possession of it).
Percival, whilst comically offside, did not hit Amone high, there was nothing wrong with the tackle other than him being 7 metres offside. They looked at it and the video ref didn't see it needing a card, neither did Kendall, nor did the MRP who never miss a chance to ban a Saints player.
Bell's tackle on Amone was a blockbuster, but hit him in the stomach/hip area. Not a dangerous challenge at all and he did get both arms up as well, hence no action from the MRP despite them looking at it.
Great game and hopefully the playoffs somehow work out so we can have a rematch at Old Trafford. Draw after golden point and Bell and Asiata can have a last man standing bout to decide the winner.
