WIDNES boss Kieron Purtill has more reason than most to welcome the new rule interpretations around the
play-the-ball that have been introduced for this weekend's games.
"He carried the ball well, but it was his first game so it's going to take him a little while to get used to the way the game is refereed over here and the different rules and laws around the
play-the-ball.
The controversy surrounded Nick Scruton's
play-the-ball seconds earlier, which appeared to be a knock-on.
Replays showed Wigan forward Taulima Tautai fumbled the
play-the-ball that led to the match-winning score - leaving Watson smarting.
From the resulting
play-the-ball, Aberavon's Richard Johnston went over for the first try.
On a more systemic level, Price wants to see his charges work harder to dominate the tackle area with Saints
play-the-ball speed a noticeable difference between the sides.
He said: "They slow the
play-the-ball down, have an "in your face" defence and a steamroll type of attack."
I'm not sure what term I'd use to describe how Alex Walmsley (St Helens), Alex Gerrard (Widnes), Chris Hill (Warrington) or Willie Isa (Wigan) restart the game after they've been tackled, but it's definitely not a
play-the-ball.
Saints boss Royce Simmons said: "That's how the league want to play it this year - it seems they want to quicken the
play-the-ball up.
That recommendation has now been ratified, with the main official to control play from within the defensive 10m and the other to police the
play-the-ball.
He was more than a little confused as to why he had been penalised for a
play-the-ball offence just before Sean Penkywicz went over for a try which, had it been allowed, would have given Brandon Costin a great chance to level the game with the conversion.
A quick
play-the-ball then saw Alan Hunte send Forster over in the corner for the try.
