In his latest column, Sky Sports Phil Clarke asks rugby league fans to have their say on whether the rules of the game are more important than entertainment... For the last two weekends, Ive binge-watched my favourite sport. I saw all six Magic Weekend games in Newcastle and managed to enjoy seven at the Summer Bash. The iPro Cup final between York and Keighley was a brilliant game, with arguably the most exciting finale of all 13 matches.It appears on the surface that the game is in great shape - the action speaks for itself. Therefore, at this point, you may say that it would be wrong for me to point out a perceived negative. Im fully aware that every sport has its challenges. Nothing is perfect, but Im slightly worried about the direction the game is heading in terms of the rules and their application in matches. A Super League coach once said to me that the standard of referees was the biggest problem in the game. I disagree - the biggest challenge in the game is participation numbers. Phil Clarke Maybe we have it about as good as we will get it, but I am not sure. In a condensed window, Ive seen almost 10 hours of rugby and observed how the officials apply some of the rules and interpret some of the others.But I dont want to go into detail yet - at least not until I hear, or should I say read, your thoughts. It may be that Im alone with this worry. There were over 50 tries scored at St James Park; one or two of them contenders for try of the season. They had skill, speed, strength and that element of risk which adds to the excitement and gets you out of your seat.We had a one-point win in dramatic fashion when Jacob Miller succeeded with his long-range drop goal. We saw a Swinton fight back from 20-0 down to win by one point, demonstrating that the game enables and facilitates the unpredictable, so what am I on about when I say that weve got a few issues? Have a look at Barrie McDermott and Terry OConnors favourite hits from Super League and the Summer Bash Ive been going to Rugby League games since before I could walk, and aim to do so when I probably cant walk again at the end of my life. I love it and only wish to see it prosper. I understand that the game and its rules evolve and its obvious to most viewers that the entertainment is as good as it has ever been. The sport has survived by adapting and maintaining its core principle of fast, flowing rugby, in which tries are the most important thing that people want to see. I get this.However, in our search to entertain, Im concerned that were slightly drifting off course. My voice is only one of thousands, and the opinion of others is perhaps greater than mine, but I think that we need a slight deviation when it comes to refereeing a match. Wigan launch investigation Investigating allegations of fracas involving two of their own players As Ive already said, no sport is perfect and Im aware that all professional sports are in the entertainment business, so it needs to be fast, look like fun and provide an exciting ending if it can. But I still think that you need to play by the rules.So Id like to put the question to the fans - this is my attempt at some basic market research before I share my thoughts next week. Highlights of Wakefields match against Catalans Dragons at St James Park in the first part of a Sunday triple-header in Magic Weekend I am not looking for any comments about referees mistakes; I think that they all work very hard to be the best that they can be, and cannot see how they can dramatically alter. Im more interested in your thoughts on whether they should apply more of the rules, as it seems to me that we ignore several now in an attempt to keep the game flowing.Is that the way the fans think we should do it? Or do you think the referee should apply all of the rules, even if it means that there will be more stoppages and a more fractured game?A Super League coach once said to me that the standard of referees was the biggest problem in the game. I disagree - the biggest challenge in the game is participation numbers. After that, I think that it is the way that we are moving in the application of the rules that poses the biggest challenge, but you may disagree. Sky Live: Wakefield v Hull KR Thursdays Super League preview Do you think that the referee should coach and advise the players to try to prevent penalties? Should he let them have a second attempt if they tap the ball in the wrong place? Is it acceptable if he ignores some rules if it means that the game keeps flowing and we have a low penalty count at the end of the match?Please let me know your thoughts as we are all responsible for how the game will look and be played in 10 years time.Share your thoughts with Phil by commenting below (website only) or Tweet us @SkySportsRL Also See: WATCH: The Naughty Step WATCH: Baz and Tezs big hits Saints v Wolves: Key battles Follow @SkySportsRL Vegas Golden Knights Gear . In the second game of their day/night doubleheader at Minneapolis, three Blue Jays pitchers, Steve Delabar, Sergio Santos and J. Vegas Golden Knights Pro Shop . Not Peyton Manning. Hes holding on to the heartache to stoke his competitive fire. https://www.cheapgoldenknights.com/. In their first meeting for six years, the Frenchmen dropped serve twice in the first set, but Giquel broke Simon two more times in the second. Gicquel moves on to face sixth-seeded Jarkko Nieminen of Finland, who advanced with a 7-6 (5), 7-6 (5) win against wild card Pierre-Hugues Herbert, despite the Frenchmans 23 aces. Golden Knights Jerseys China . It was well worth the wait. Manning and the Denver Broncos waited eight long months, then another 33 minutes to get the season started because of a lightning storm. Golden Knights Jerseys 2021 .com) - P.K. Subbans power-play goal 4:08 into overtime sent the Montreal Canadiens into the All-Star break with a 2-1 win over the Nashville Predators on Tuesday.WINTERBERG, Germany -- Germanys Sandra Kiriasis drove to a World Cup bobsled win on her home track on Sunday, edging Elana Meyers of the United States by the slimmest of margins. Kiriasis and brakeman Franziska Fritz finished two runs in one minute 55.41 seconds -- a mere 0.01 seconds ahead of Meyers and Lolo Jones, who likely bolstered her Olympic hopes by helping give USA-1 a huge push in the second heat. Anja Schneiderheinze and Stephanie Schneider were third for Germany, 0.07 seconds back. Meyers has now finished no worse than second in all five races this season, though this one wasnt easy. She and Jones had a bit of trouble at the start of the first run, then tied for the fastest start in the field to begin their second trip down the track. "We like to keep everybody on the edge of their seats," Meyers said after extending her World Cup standings lead to 68 points over reigning Olympic champions Kaillie Humphries of Calgary and Heather Moyse of Summerside, P.E.I., who finished fifth. "We had a little slip-up in the beginning of the first run. I didnt run far enough and she followed me, so it caused us to drop some time, but we came back in the second one." Jenny Ciochetti of Edmonton and Chelsea Valois of Zenon Park, Sask., finished in 14th place, 1:36 behind the winning duo. Kiriasis victory came one day after she celebrated her 39th birthday. It was the first medal of the season for the German whos widely considered the best womens driver ever, and came in whats widely expected to be her final year in a sled. Kiriasis was emotioonal crossing the finish line, raising one of her index fingers skyward, then took a long swig of a celebratory beer while standing atop the medal stand.dddddddddddd. For the U.S., Jamie Greubel and Aja Evans led after the first run but finished fourth. Jazmine Fenlator and Lauryn Williams were ninth, despite solid start times of 5.62 and 5.59 seconds. Evans is expected to be a lock for one of the three push-athlete jobs on the U.S. womens team that will compete in the Sochi Olympics next month, while Jones and Williams -- both of whom have competed in multiple Olympics as track stars -- are in a group competing for the other two spots. Later Sunday, Germany swept a four-man race, dominating once again on home ice. Maximilian Arndt won his second gold medal in as many days, prevailing in 1:50.09 to extend his lead in the World Cup four-man standings. Francesco Friedrich drove to silver in 1:50.32 and Thomas Florschuetz took the bronze in 1:50.49. Olympic champion Steven Holcomb and his team of Steve Langton, Curtis Tomasevicz and Chris Fogt finished seventh for the U.S., wrapping up a tough, crash-filled week in Winterberg for the Americans. Also for the U.S., the team of Cory Butner, Adam Clark, Andreas Drbal and Chris Langton placed 13th, while pilot Nick Cunningham and push athletes Dallas Robinson, Johnny Quinn and Abe Morlu were 16th. The World Cup bobsled tour continues next weekend at St. Moritz, the next-to-last weekend of competition before the Americans will decide which athletes will be on the team for next months Sochi Olympics. ' ' '
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