Just want to see what the view about the latest umpiring craze over the last year or maybe 2 years - to award a free kick against a player because he has averted his eyes from the ball to look at this opponent, even if only fleetingly.
I didn't (and still don't) have a problem with the front-on-contact when a player is clearly not watching the ball.
But over the last few weeks in particular i've seen some of the softest free kicks paid that you'll ever see, simply because a player has momentarily taken his eye off the ball, to the point where that in itself seems to now be considered an infringement, rather than the contact inflicted.
Just saw an example of this rule paid against graham in the ruck in the rich/wc game because he had a quick glance at the Nic Nat charging at him before bracing for impact. If he'd initiated the identically same contact with his eyes on the ball you can bet he wouldn't have been deemed to have infringed.
I guess if players are smart they are all aware of this interpretation and shouldn't be taking the eyes off the ball in any circumstance.
Interestingly after the J Brown incident, some commentators were encouraging players to 'have a look' before deciding how hard to go at a contest. Don't do it i say - you'll get pinged!
Anyone else frustrated at times with some of these frees?
To be fair, I have to say at least it's being interpreted consistently.
The eyes have it
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The eyes have it
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