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Fuming Queensland coach Mal Meninga is demanding the new State of Origin referees combination control game three like a normal NRL match.
Already upset by being left out of a pre-match meeting with referees boss Tony Archer before game two, Meninga let loose at the officiating in NSW’s series-clinching 6-4 win at ANZ Stadium.
On Tuesday, Shayne Hayne was dumped as lead referee for the July 9 series finale, meaning Ben Cummins will step up as the main whistleblower while Gerard Sutton will make his interstate debut as assistant.
Meninga stressed he didn’t care who the officials were but wanted them to apply the same law interpretations used each week in the NRL.
He said the negative, spoiling tactics allowed at the ruck, plus an inconsistent 10m, meant the interstate showpiece was a “f’ugly” spectacle.
“I’d love to see more football played,” Meninga said after naming his team for game three.
“The referees have to pull their socks up.
“The ruck needs to be cleaned up, the 10m needs to be addressed and let both teams play rugby league.
“I just think we have to referee it the same way we referee at NRL level.
“Our first attacking opportunity, Nate Myles was held down for six seconds.”
Meninga will request a meeting with Archer and the referees after NSW coach Laurie Daley gained a private meeting with Archer to detail his own gripes on the eve of game two.
Meninga said that both coaches were usually invited to meet the referees if one wanted a pre-match meeting.
“That’s one of my beefs, to be honest,” Meninga said. “Laurie and Bob Fulton got the privilege of meeting the referees boss prior to game two.
“I didn’t know anything about it and only found that out in the paper.
“I should have had that courtesy.”
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