Matt Cecchin and Ben Cummins have been cast into the hot seat this weekend, with the pair announced as the referees for the 2016 NRL grand final between the Melbourne Storm and Cronulla Sharks.
NRL general manager officiating Tony Archer said Cecchin and Cummins had been the competition’s premier whistleblowers during the 2016 finals, and stated the duo were thoroughly deserving of their appointments in the biggest game of the year.
“They refereed as a combination in the finals series last year, including a preliminary final, and are a proven combination in big games,” Archer said.
“The best officials will referee the grand final.”
The appointment is Cecchin’s second for a grand final, and caps off a strong recovery for the referee, who was on the receiving end of plenty of criticism early in the year after a controversial decision in Round 5, where he decided against sin-binning the Roosters’ Aiden Guerra. Cecchin was not appointed to any games in the following round, but the NRL said the veteran official was not dropped.
While Cecchin is the lead referee for the decider, he doesn’t have as much grand final experience as his partner Cummins, who is already veteran of three grand finals.
As for the two teams’ records under the referees, it is likely that Cronulla will be the happier of the two. The Sharks have won all four of their meetings refereed by Cecchin, while the Storm have won three of their six.
Cronulla won two of five games officiated by Cummins during the season, while Melbourne haven’t lost under him.
2016 NRL Grand Final referees
Lead Referee: Matt Cecchin
Assist Referee: Ben Cummins
Senior Review Official: Bernard Sutton
Review Officials: Luke Patten and Ashley Klein
Touch Judges: Jeff Younis and Brett Suttor
Standby Referee: Gerard Sutton
Standby Touch Judge: Chris Butler
Farqueue
Guest
Anyone but Sutton makes me happy...can't stand his reffing.
Griffo
Guest
I would expect under 42.5 would probably be the case regardless of the referees. People may not like the styles of these two teams but let us take for example two other teams, the cowboys and the broncos, that have been widely applauded for the brand of rugby league they play, especially against each other. Of their last five meetings, all of which have been 4 points or less margin at the end of 80 minutes, the only game that has exceeded 42.5 points was the most recent semi final and that was only because they played an extra ten minutes. In addition, only 1 of the last 10 grand finals has exceeded 42.5 points so i guess to me it's not a big revelation to say it probably won't happen this year.
Scott Pryde
Expert
The only way it will be over 30 is if yhe Sharks choke and Melbourne run away with it.
Antony
Guest
Mattt Cecchin is he form referee, has the most experience and thorughly deserved the appointment. Haters gunna hate..
Alex L
Roar Rookie
Under 42.5 would be sensible anyway based on the last 10 years or so.
Tim Gore
Expert
Until last Saturday I would have agreed with you. This match will be played in the Octagon. Under 42.5 points all you punters! In fact, prob under 30.
Tim Gore
Expert
They're coming Max. They're coming...
Zedman
Roar Rookie
Cecchin is Sharks, Cummins the Storm.
MAX
Guest
I would like to see Tim Gore's Stats on the referees.
Brendon
Guest
And Cecchin was apparently involved in the controversy no one has mentioned before.... When Cam smith took his first conversion, he took it from the sideline, but the try happened next to the sticks! Of all the crap we talk about wrestling and what not, we now have, quite possibly, the worst stuff up possible...
Bulldog
Guest
I guess there really is no one better.... OH well