PETE’S PUNCHLINE
- Games in the Digicel ExxonMobil Cup are slowly getting better. While the standard and quality is improving, there is still a long way to go in my view. One of my biggest gripes is the ruck speed. Defending sides are being allowed way too much latitude with slowing the ruck down. And the referees (God bless them) are the ones dropping the ball in this regard. Many an attacking opportunity has been blunted, snuffed, and just plain lost because refs aren’t imposing themselves here.
- It’s just infuriating watching teams blatantly slowing play down by an assortment of tactics at the ruck like lying on tackled players too long, taking their sweet getting off, leg pulls, purposely getting entangled, twisting and turning tackled players, hands all over the ball, third man in unnecessarily, flopping, etc … I’ve had it up to here. Give them three seconds and then penalise, and not just six-agains, send some people to the bin.
- Warn them pre-match, and penalise especially when the slowing down stops a promising attacking play. It’s obvious fans and anyone who comes to watch the game don’t do so for the wrestling techniques and other slowing tactics. They want to be entertained.
- Its really simple folks, if ruck speed improves then not only will we see more offensive plays come off it will also separate the good (fitter sides) from the rest of the bunch. Is anyone here naive enough to think that Q-Cup, NRL and UK league fixtures are slow games? No. Everything is done at speed.
- Note to Muka Peter Kulu. Beachshorts? Really. At least dress the part.
- Kasey Badger. The reason why I think women have no business refereeing NRL games. See the look on some of the Tigers and Raiders’ guy faces. She lost them. They knew it and she knew it.
- Former Sharks prodigy Bronson Xerri, who got busted for using performance enhancing drugs several years ago, is making a real go of his second chance in the big league after serving that multi-year suspension. His name was pronounced “Ze-ree” then now it seems he’s not just a new man but has a new sounding name. Commentator was saying “Cherry.” What’s doing?
- Massive congratulations to Patricia Keamo and Jamie Haro from the sports desk on being named as finalists in the SP Sports Awards. They both landed spots in the sports media and sports photo of the year category. What an accomplishment ladies.
- Hats off to Benjamin Aliel and Daniel Baul for landing spots in male athlete of the year award. Athletics is in good hands. – PGTP ([email protected])