Des Hasler had a novel suggestion during the post-match conference, after the Panthers had beaten his Bulldogs 24-18 at Penrith last Sunday in the opening round of the NRL.
“You know what you should do?” Des asked, “get Tony Archer in here, referee Ben Cummins and his sidekick, and ask them what they thought about the game because they had a pretty good input into today.
“It would be a better press conference, that’s for sure.”
With that parting comment, Hasler pushed back his chair, and disappeared. A dramatic and sudden end to the press conference.
As for Hasler’s suggestion, he was fined a suspended $10,000 for breaking the new NRL guidelines banning any comment about referees.
Pathetic paranoia.
Todd Greenberg, the NRL’s head of footbal, is a mighty fine administrator, but his lame explanation of why Hasler was fined added to the paranoia.
“It’s not about protection, it’s about supporting the match officials,” Greenberg said.
Spare us the cover-up. Every rugby league coach, player, fan, and the media will readily support referees if they were up to scratch. But they won’t be told by the NRL to support refs as a virtual demand. The refs must earn that respect.
Sure they are going to make mistakes, just as coaches and players do. But hiding referees as a protected species will never be accepted.
Hasler never made any criticism about last Sunday’s refs. All he did was suggest if coaches and players must front the media after full-time, refs should front as well.
“Totally impractical,” was Archer’s dismissive reply.
Recall Archer was a prominent ref in his day, with 319 first-grade games between 1999 and 2012, 13 Origins, and 9 internationals. He was a top-class and worthy appointment as the NRL’s referees elite performance manager.
But his well-paid job comes into question if the refs don’t improve and are never allowed to face the media.
Everyone else has to do just that, right from the top – John Grant as chairman of the Australian Rugby League Commission, and Dave Smith as CEO of the Commission, and as a direct result, the NRL
Both have been grilled by the media at various stages when they make rare public appearances. They could be described as being so transparent they are almost invisible.
But to their credit they face the music, as do coaches, selectors, and players who are all very, very visible.
The NRL has more than enough problems off the field to fine one of rugby league’s finest for telling the truth.
Dav
Guest
And give them a yellow red card system. How good would a red card being dished out but that player can be replaced? whats wrong with that?
Dav
Guest
they don't interpret the rules, they police the rules .... wow!
Dav
Guest
Don't be stuped Sleemo, you are over the top, transparent accountability that everyone knows does not happen, that is why this thread is here. There is nothing wrong with improving the game, refs need a point system on performance.
Dav
Guest
Dudd, schools and police already do this?
Dav
Guest
+1 , I told my son to go to his room, and he told me the NRL said I could not do that any more. lol
Dav
Guest
Don the power has been taken off the ref in game by the NRL, the fact that they can not sin bin or send players off has completely changed the game, this is where the refs have lost respect, they don't have total control on the game.
Dav
Guest
There should be a point systems for refs, and the refs with the best scores officiate rep games, simple & transparent
Dav
Guest
Bring gambling into that equation Muzz, funny how the gambling hits new heights and the change in ref standards? Look at the advertising on this page. And this year how commentators on the game saying that they can't watch the game without gambling. What a crock! I would love the game to be free of gambling... the age old gambling is the ultimate corrupter.
Joel
Guest
let the Refs send off for repetative indiscretions. it will clean up the game where some teams play for tactical fouls. Take the pressure off the Ref to do his job. Simple.
Joel
Guest
I think you will find they got that descision right. maybe it is your interpretation that is wrong?
Joel
Guest
Wow. you guys now blatently admit you play the Ref. When is thr NRL going to clean up this appauling mess. The game seems to be rotten at the core.
Brad. H
Guest
Yes he was and yes they should. After all everybody else invovled has to explain themselves and I see refs as no different . A bit of explanation regarding a particular decision or penatly given would go a long way to help understanding the game and how a particular ref may interperate a rule. Thereby leading to a better game next time that ref is officiating . Also when they do cock it all up they should be made to explain . The dark ages practice of "say nothing derogatory" regarding a refs performance is a crock and should cease immediatly. If they cant handle explaining then they should not be a ref.
Jay C
Roar Guru
Do you remember the 50% of calls that went the wrong wy though. Honestly if you need any proof of the VAST improvements made go and watch the first Origin. The whole NRL would get sacked if that happened today.
Sleiman Azizi
Roar Guru
And that is what makes the storyline of sport so interesting. It doesn't have to be perfect. It just has to be 'live'.
Sleiman Azizi
Roar Guru
I think Des was pretty upset at the referees. I thought that was obvious.
Jay C
Roar Guru
What is the benefit of calling out the referees. It doesn't change anything. Stupid.
Epiquin
Roar Guru
To be honest though, that could just as easily have been blind luck.
Epiquin
Roar Guru
Sorry wasn't including the Roosters in the 'ill discipline' category. But generally if a penalty count blows out, that's the main cause.
The Barry
Roar Guru
Remember Mick Stone's call on the McGaw origin try in 87 or 88. Made in a split second with no replay or technology and he got it right by mms. Imagine that these days. Go to the video ref, 15 replays then refs call.
Cugel
Roar Rookie
This is surely just clickbait, no one would seriously consider this as "spot on"