Legendary coach Wayne Bennett can’t see the NRL reverting to a one-referee system no matter how scintillating the Rugby League World Cup is.
The debate over how many officials are needed to control a game has been reignited by an action-packed start to the World Cup.
Games in the tournament are being controlled by a single official.
Australia captain Cameron Smith, the most experienced and arguably most respected NRL player, opined after the Cup opener that a match “tends to flow a lot more” with one referee.
The NRL introduced an extra official in 2009, wanting to crackdown on certain issues such as grapple tackles.
League officials are set to review the contentious topic following the World Cup.
Brisbane coach Bennett, who is mentoring England in the ongoing event, believes one referee is the right number but says the NRL won’t be willing to admit as much.
“They won’t change now,” the supercoach told reporters in Sydney on Monday.
“Those that rubber stamped it won’t give themselves up and say ‘we might have made a mistake here’.
“That won’t happen.”
Asked about the benefits associated with one referee, Bennett was frank.
“All I know in life is the less people you’ve got sitting around the board table, the more effective you are,” he said.
Kangaroos duo Josh McGuire and Matt Gillett voiced their support for a one-referee system earlier this month.
New Zealand’s Simon Mannering, a veteran of some 280 NRL games with the Warriors, also recently praised the change.
“Not necessarily that the game is ruled differently, just there’s no grey area between what one ref is saying and what the other ref is saying,” Mannering said.
“With just one officiator out there the buck stops with him, so I find it a lot simpler and easier.”
Sleiman Azizi
Roar Guru
That's what the touch judges are for.
Nat
Roar Guru
Not really news. Bennett has never liked the 2 refs or Extra time - golden point or otherwise. The NRL bought in the extra ref due to demand to monitor all aspects of the game. Does the game flow better - yes, because things get missed. More Police on the streets mean more fines. Doesn't mean less offenses are being committed just more getting caught. If a ball is stripped while the one ref is getting the defensive line back 10m and is blown a knock on - wait for the howls. If the two refs could be consistent that's even better. I don't think it is fair to make a call based on those games from the weekend though.
Peter
Guest
Wayne Bennett said it so I'll just automatically oppose it and slag Bennett at the same time. This saves me having to think about the issue very much if at all.
Dogs Of War
Roar Guru
This happens already. NRL Ref's actually work with teams during the preseason and season so they understand how things work. Ref's can be asked to explain decisions that were made. Just via a non public forum.
Alex L
Roar Rookie
I'm sure Bennett does like his forwards being able to belt kickers late with the relative safety of knowing the one ref is running down field to follow the footy at the time.
elvis
Guest
Great comment!
Cadfael
Roar Guru
To a point I agree but we see forward passes missed when happening in front of referees, players taken out in fron of refs.Commentators can't just turn lind eye to this happening. The NRL has to accept the blame for this. They have allowed the refs to become part of the game, managing the game, instead of refereeing to the laws of the game. Maybe just direct the referees to referee the game as per the rule book (and get rid of refs calling players by their first name or nick name). One aspect I read of the NFL was that coaches could question the refs on three only decisions where the referee would have to answer the queries publicly. Thios would give the ref a chance to explain why a decision was made.
Edward Kelly
Roar Guru
If Wayne Bennett likes one ref then I'm automatically a fan of two refs.
Edward Kelly
Roar Guru
Agreed also. The NRL could control this very easily. I just don't like commentators ranting about anything. Just call the game and leave the rants to the other shows.
pat
Guest
Agreed. I listened to the english commentators for the aus vs eng match, and they were very reluctant to outright speak against the ref on air. Our commentators should do much the same.
Sleiman Azizi
Roar Guru
You may have been watching a different match if you didn't think England weren't passionate.
andrew
Guest
Wayne Bennett trying to shield and distract the narrative from being about how ordinary and passionless England are
Dogs Of War
Roar Guru
I'd say it would help if the NRL had guidelines for commentators of games to not go after ref's and just accept the decision. Very much like NFL and other sports where ref's have bad games, but they don't shoot them on live TV.