Rugby league immortal Andrew Johns has continued his scathing attack on the game’s officiating, urging the head of the NRL to “hang your head” following another night of refereeing controversies.
A combined 54 penalties were blown across both Friday night matches between South Sydney-Canterbury and Cronulla-Melbourne, forcing Johns to hit out at NRL boss Todd Greenberg.
“Good Friday pumped to work on dogs v Souths game. The game destroyed by penalties. Left the game so disappointed,” Johns said on social media on Friday night.
“Rushed home to watch storm v sharks purely as a fan. Shattered watching the game.
“Don’t blame the referees I feel for them. Pressure from above. Whoever it is at the top of NRL hang your head. The game belongs not to you or the players.
“It belongs to the fans who pay to watch. Waiting for your response Todd.”
Johns’ comments comes less than a week after also claiming the dramatic rise in penalties is destroying the product and become increasingly frustrating to watch.
Fox Sports statistics reveal that prior to the start of round four, the 17.82 penalties a game is almost four more than over the opening three rounds of the competition last year.
It is the most in that period since an average 18.14 penalties were blown prior to round four in 2004.
South Sydney coach Anthony Seibold said the crackdown is having an impact on the spectacle of the game, but praised the officials for sticking to their instructions in their win over Canterbury.
He also claimed the Bulldogs were guilty for most of their 14 penalties conceded.
“It is certainly affecting the spectacle of the game but I thought the Bulldogs came here to make it a real scrap today,” he said.
“If you have a look at the amount of times of second efforts in tackles. One thing I thought the referees did do was they kept penalising them.
“I suppose that was a gutsy move by them because I thought it was warranted. It didn’t make for a great spectacle, there’s no doubt about that.”
Cadfael
Roar Guru
The other offside failing in the game is on the try line. Play the ball 5 metres out and the defenders are all standing in front of the try line. I hope the refs keep it up.
Roberto
Guest
Billy milked one and got the innocent offender binned...karma is a b word.
Cathar Treize
Roar Guru
Johns came from that period where players thought they were particularly above the game. The game has been over-coached & now its time to free the players who still can't comprehend the invisible chains they wear!
Crosscoder
Roar Guru
If Johns still has complaints about the Dragons v Knights match and ref decisions, he is whistling dixie. Players and coaches perhaps are now getting the message.
Joe
Roar Rookie
No I haven't watched Union in the last 10 years except the odd Super Rugby finals game and some World Cup games but I'll give it another go. Used to follow the Brumbies when the likes of Larkham, Gregan, Mortlock, Roff, George Smith were at their best. That was rugby worth watching! I'll give it another shot although the Aussie teams are getting caned by NZ, there's such a gulf between the two its not funny!
Rellum
Roar Guru
Watching the Footy show today it became clear to me that an order has come from down on high or the League broadcast team is in a panic that the product they are buying is being tampered with on their money and they are not happy about it. 9 is a media corporation that see's no further than weekly rating at the furthest. They don't care about the game itself, just how it can make them money. If they have the slightest whiff, and I mean the slightest, they will panic and change things in these days of digital disruption. It is a real shame they have such a platform to push their agendas.
bbt
Guest
Storm got frustrated and started doing stupid things in the 2nd half. 2 of those penalties were for back chatting. I say this as a Storm supporter
bbt
Guest
What infringements do these commentators want to be ignored? I back the current crackdown 100%. As a Storm supporter, my main frustration on Friday night was our inability to hang onto the ball and run straight.
jeannine wallace
Roar Rookie
Hi Matt, Thank you for the article. Unfortunately, I do not have access to Foxtel and consequently, have to watch channel 9. I love rugby league but I am a university student perusing an occupation in the arts (apologies for being stereotypical) and do not have anybody to chat to about the sport. I assumed that what Johns, Vaughan, and Gould were saying this past week was what a majority of league supporters believed. It is great to know that I am not crazy for thinking the referees have a right to 'take back the game.'
RoryStorm
Guest
The Bellamy cheats? Youre kidding aren't you? I spot a touch of jealousy there. Is your team not doing very well year in, year out?
soapit
Guest
or maybe he's got his ch9 mates onto it so the rule bending that has helped his career so much will continue
Cadfael
Roar Guru
It isn't the refs who are at fault, it is the players and their coaches. This is the fourth round and the penalties are still there. Are the players that thick or is the coaches telling their players to keep carrying on hoping the refs will break first. Personally, I think the latter.
Malo
Guest
Why is there 3 or 4 in a tackle, it must cause a lot of injuries but it just slows the game down. The storm are the biggest cheats in this department it is great the refs are clamping down on the bellamy cheats.
no one in particular
Roar Guru
Could be worse, could agree with Matt Johns
no one in particular
Roar Guru
Change for changes sake
eagleJack
Roar Guru
Yeah agree. The myth of Union games being won on penalty goals died well over a decade ago. Sure, there are certainly some games where points are at a premium, and taking the points on offer is crucial. But in Super Rugby in 2018 it has been raining tries, with only 3 games out of 38 having less than 40 points scored. Most have 50-70 points per match. With 10 games scoring 70+. That’s a lot of penalty goals!!
Emcie
Roar Guru
fair enough Fish, can't argue with you there
Corunetes
Guest
I will start by saying that I am in favour of the crackdown although it is a bloody nuisance. My take on the matter is that if the players won't bend to the rules then make the coach responsible. Maybe if a team continues to offend (The NRL needs to set a standard here.) then the coach is rubbed out for a couple of weeks. At the moment the coaches are sitting up in the stands wringing their hands and whining about their players being penalised. Surely it is their job to instill the disciplene needed before they get on the park. Just a thought.
In Brief
Guest
Have you watched in rugby union in the last 10 years? With a few exceptions the games are generally won on tries not penalties and are very entertaining.
Soda
Guest
Your point about the dragons and warriors is spot on. Other teams have been willing to risk penalties in order to gain advantage, and in the first four rounds so far, the risk hasn't paid off. Being onside, playing the ball properly and not talking back to the ref seems to be a sound tactic for teams. I've enjoyed this year's footy so much more than the last however many years. Hope these feisty refs keep the teams honest as long as possible