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Amidst the fallout from Queensland centre Greg Inglis’ controversial try in the 1st State of Origin match on Wednesday night there is one crucial takeaway from it which has seemingly gone unnoticed.
NSW captain Paul Gallen’s treatment of rookie referees Matt Cecchin and Ben Cummins was disgraceful and should not be tolerated. In fact, Gallen should be made an example of for other captains and apologise.
It sends a poor signal to players at all levels, not just the elite. Referees should be treated with the utmost respect.
After video referee Sean Hampstead ruled NSW hooker Robbie Farah had deliberately played at the football and awarded a try to Inglis, Blues skipper Gallen went out of line.
Gallen vented his frustration to referee Matt Cecchin in a way that was disgraceful, completely disrespectful and should have warranted a trip to the referee’s association to please explain.
“Why the hell is that a try? He f—ing dropped the ball! This is out of control, this is ridiculous,” Gallen said.
But this was the last act by the NSW captain in a long line of performances occurring throughout the match.
There were three further incidents where Gallen debated with and tried to intimidate Cummins and Cecchin, who were in their second and first Origin matches respectively.
Gallen’s frustrations began after Queensland centre Michael Jennings was sin-binned in the 20th minute by Cecchin, who explained it was for Jennings entering the all-in-brawl as a non-protagonist.
After two NSW players (Greg Bird and Farah) were penalised for lifting Queensland halfback Cooper Cronk, Gallen responded with, “Isn’t this your first Origin?”
Blues winger Darius Boyd scored again soon after and Gallen continued to debate with Cecchin and Cummins while Queensland five-eighth Johnathan Thurston lined up the conversion, and as the two referees were leaving the field at half-time.
I understand sport is an emotional game – and Gallen is a passionate bloke – yet this was an example of a captain who was “out of control” himself with his own emotions and he should be warned against this.
In rugby league, players can be penalised further if there is “backchat” (players mouthing off at the referees). You can’t help but think if a more experienced referee – such as Shayne Hayne – was in charge of this match, Gallen wouldn’t have remonstrated how he did.
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