StrandedMillsy A lot of negativity towards refs but clearly the linesman is at fault here as they had the best view.
Sure, the final decision lies with the ref but if the linesperson who is a few yards away with perfect view isn't immediately frantically waving the flag about it sort of gives the impression to the ref that it can't be a pen so he'd really be sitcking his neck out giving a pen.
I don't think the linespeople are anywhere near as ballsy as they need to be and too much is on the refs' shoulders. That's the real problem here.
Let it not detract from the game though - yes the boys did good and 'should' have won, but actually they were absolutely rippign us apart all game, gettign in behind our defence for fun. They were the better side and thoroughly deserved the win.
The issue is, the assistant refs are usually briefed by the ref on how they want them to work together - the ref is the boss at the end of the day - so it could be in some instances that they are told by him/her not to flag for something unless they are 100% and think s/he has missed it.
Given where the ref was positioned, it could be fair to say that the AR would be of the view, well he saw it and seems happy so no need to flag.
Or they both just had a massive brain fart and messed up.
Then you've hit the nail on the head, that is clearly the issue and somethign needs to change there with how they work together. eg if they have full autonomy and are duty bound to raise a flag (or an arm or something) to signal that they have spotted something. Then it lands on the ref to decide if he wants to give it. It's just too wishy washy. What lino is going to flag for a pen when his "boss" clearly thinks it isn't? If they're duty bound to be independent and gie their view immediately that would be a step in the right direction. An uncertain ref, seeing an indication from the Lino that there's a foul is more likely to give it even if uncertain. A ref who's told his scared Lino only to flag if he's missed something is going to get nothing from the lino and then also not have the balls himself. It's a ridiculous system, if true.