Two referees will control every NRL match in 2009. The NRL board on Thursday confirmed the biggest on-field change to the way the game is controlled in its 100 year history.
The two-referee model will apply to the top-flight NRL competition only, with one official patrolling the play-the-ball area and the other positioned on the 10-metre defensive line.
The main referee will be the 10-metre official, who will use the whistle to order stoppages or penalties.
The second referee will communicate directly to the referee who has the whistle.
The referees will alternate roles during a match.
“This is a major step and another demonstration of the priority that is placed in officiating our game,” NRL chief executive David Gallop said in a statement on Thursday.
“Today’s decision is a fundamental change to the refereeing model and one that reflects the pace and demands of today’s game.
“Not for a second do I think this will stop people arguing about on-field decisions but they can’t argue about the professionalism or the dedication of those involved in making the decisions.”
Among other decisions, the NRL board has also reduced the powers of the video referee, removing their role in adjudicating stripping decisions and restricting their calls on foul play to incidents serious enough for a player to be placed on report.
Another crackdown on grapple tackles, with the use of sin-bin for repeated or serious offences, has also been ordered.
The league will move to “regulate public comment” from players or officials about incidents likely to be reviewed by the judiciary.
And defenders who attempt to stop tries by leading with their feet or legs face being charged with misconduct.
Pippinu
Roar Guru
Hurler I've been following this story for a while, but I'm not sure why you would mention me directly, to be honest. I'm neither pleased nor displeased, each game has its own exigencies to deal with. The old VFL went to 2 field umpires around 1973 (?) when it was felt that the game was getting faster and one umpire couldn't cope. It has since gone to 3 field umpires, with the added requirement to keep an eye on those backs when the ball is upfield. And that pretty much sums up the needs for more officials: is the game quicker? are things happening behind play that the current officials aren't spotting? etc. The time had probably come in RL because the game is definitely much quicker than a couple of decades ago. The most interesting aspect for me was reading the case against, because it reminded me of the case against that was made back in the 70s (and people basically use it to this day), that is, with more umpires (refs) there's a greater array of interpretations of the rules, and the likelihood that inconsistencies will creep into the match officiating (mind you, one ump was always good at being inconsistent). The other interesting point was the discussion about how the officials will know who is in control of the game. To be honest, this is a weaker argument than the last one, this is easily worked out and after a few rounds next year it will become 2nd nature and fans will barely notice. A few times in my life I have seen an umpire race 50 metres down the ground to explain to the ump that had control that he had spotted something earlier and the play should be brought back, confusing absolutely everyone, but it's far and few between. Regarding the positioning of umps (refs), I'm reminded of a bit of a personal story that is a a bit funny. I volunteered to do some timekeeping for an U17 Teal Cup comp sometime in the late 80s (our footy club was helping out with some of the games). We sat up in the stands, and as it happened, two umpires advisers were sitting in the box as well, evaluating how the young umps were going. But my clear recollection is that for the whole 2 hours each was saying to the other in turn: look where he's standing; oh my god look where he's standing now; check out where's standing; bloody hell, LOOK WHERE HE'S STANDING NOW!! JUST LOOK!! The moral of the story: where umps (and refs) stand, is obviously very important.
Hurler on the Ditch
Guest
Pip will be pleased. NRL emulates AFL. And hockey and...