: Sat Apr 11, 2009 4:20 pm
tvoc wrote:
You won't get a reaction from me no matter what you accuse me of.
No I can't but isn't that precisely my point here. It doesn't need to be referred because it doesn't happen. You think it does but you can't back that view up with any examples. Not one prior to last nights.
The video referees don't look for players stood in offside positions when tries are scored? I'd say it's probably the number one thing they are called on to do.
You think otherwise, so why not prove it. Could it be because (just like me) you can't recall any such similar offsides occurring by the attacking side.
Last night was a rarity. If it wasn't there'd be plenty of precedents. So where are they?
A video referee has never been asked before to look if a player was offside at a play the ball. Yes they have been asked to look at offside at a kick, but not a move from way down field.
You can clearly hear on the mic from last night when Smith asks Alibert to look at the incident, he says "do you understand what I am aksing Thierry". Alibert said back please repeat to which Smith then gave a clearer instruction.
Both refs were unsure, simply because it is not something looked at previously. You can bet your whole life savings, that had Smith simply asked Alibert if he could just check that the play the ball was played correct, that that try would have been given, with no mention from anybody, including commentators and fans, about Webb been offside.
That is why I say we can not give you examples previously, because it simply is not looked at. I can bet you now that we will have a offside watch thread each week on here from now with many examples.