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For years there have been far too many errors with the referees in the NRL.
Sometimes it is a total blunder of confusion, and sometimes it’s a ref who shows what looks like favouritism. Either way, 99 times out of 100 a refereeing error alone can determine the result of the match.
I have a lot of memories about this, but rather than go into all of them, I’ll choose a selective few.
1. Beau Ryan’s seventh-tackle try in the opening weekend of the 2013 finals
Cronulla Sharks defeated North Queensland Cowboys 20-18
We all remember this one. North Queensland Cowboys had won their final six matches of the regular season in the heroic do-or-die situation – one more loss would have left them with only a mathematical chance.
On the ‘final tackle’ the Sharks rolled the dice by running the ball while close to the Cowboys line, spreading the ball for Beau Ryan to run over and score the match-opening try, which was converted by Michael Gordon for Cronulla to the lead 6-0.
With four refs on the field – two on the field and two touch judges – you would think one of them could have said, “Wait! It’s the fifth, not the fourth!”. Sadly, it didn’t work out that way and it subsequently saw the Cowboys eliminated from the finals.
Had that try never occurred, the result would have been North Queensland Cowboys defeating Cronulla Sharks 18-14.
2. Young Tonumaipea scoring the matchwinner for the Storm against the Dragons with play the ball after the full-time siren
Melbourne Storm defeated St George Illawarra Dragons, 28 – 24
This was the Monday night game of Round 6, 2014. Young Tonumaipea takes the tackle with less than three to go. He got back to his feet quicker than the Roadrunner runs a kilometre but the siren sounded before he got foot to ball to play it, which usually means the ball is not in play and therefore that the match is over – except for this incident.
When Cooper Cronk kicked the ball across the field for a tap back it found Sisa Waqa, who threw the ball halfway across the field for Kevin Proctor. Next was to Cronk, then to Tohu Harris and finally to Tonumaipea, who scored the matchwinner, which was converted by Cameron Smith.
Had the referee called time correctly before Tonumaipea played the ball after the siren, that amazing try wouldn’t have happened, with the result being the St George Illawarra Dragons defeated Melbourne Storm 24-22.
(Mark Kolbe/Getty Images)
There have been too many errors in the last five years, and little things like that can have an impact on the result. As you can see, the Cowboys and Dragons should have won those matches, but due to unfortunate circumstances, they didn’t.
We would be seeing some differences in the history books had the referees not made those two critical errors. For the record, I can think of many more, but I have some more from recent times.
3. Round 14, 2017: Manly winger Akuila Uate scoring his ‘second try’ against his former club the Newcastle Knights
Manly Sea Eagles defeated Newcastle Knights 18-14
This one among us Knights fans was a truly heartbreaking result under the circumstances. Uate had gone for the try but clearly lost the ball – so clearly that even Stevie Wonder saw it.
However, referee Ashley Klein didn’t, and despite the touch judge saying Uate lost it and to go to the bunker, Klein awarded the try, which was converted by Matthew Wright for Manly to take an 18-14 lead, which would eventually be the final score of the match.
Had that try been rightly disallowed, the result would have been the Newcastle Knights defeating the Manly Sea Eagles 14-12. At least we got our payback with our 19-18 and 18-12 victories this year.
4. Round 19, 2018: Cronulla winger Sione Katoa scoring the try after confusion of the touch judge putting up his flag
Cronulla Sharks defeated Canberra Raiders 28-24
After the touch judge had put up the flag and the whistle was never blown, the Raiders players were questioning what was going on rather than continuing the defence and trying to stop Katoa from scoring the try.
The idea was the touch judge had thought Jesse Ramien had knocked on the ball, so rather than call it, he raised the flag and then put it down in quick succession, leading to the confusion.
Sadly, I am not a psychic, but had play gone on without said confusion, Katoa, someone else or no-one could have scored. This is a total grey area, but I do not blame Ricky Stuart for blowing up.
(Mark Evans/Getty Images)
After all these examples, I believe we have a lot of loose ends that must be tied up with on-field officiating. The bunker has been a total failure. The referee with the on-field choice does play a factor in it, but I still believe the video referee should be allowed to call upon any forward passes – this isn’t the NFL.
The on-field referee’s choice of try or no try should be scrapped. If whoever is in the bunker says ‘insufficient evidence’ but we can see it, of course there would be a total blow-up from the fans.
In an unpopular opinion, the video referee has to stay, because if the on-field referee cannot see, it would be a lot on him to make a call on the spot then look back, realise he’s made the wrong one and know he can’t do a thing about it.
We have some referees who look like they have something against certain teams, while there are also players who tend to pressure and bully the referees.
I remember when Bill Harrigan was a referee – he took absolutely nothing from anyone and would sin-bin them without hesitation. Sadly, most referees these days don’t have the courage do that anymore, just once in a blue moon.
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In each game there should be three captain’s challenges per half from each side, and should only two be used in the first half, the one remainder should be carried into the next, but if none are used in the first half, only five, not six, can be used in the second.
Phil Gould has put his hand up for the role and he says he will fix the game within 12 months without pay.
Say what you want about the man, but he is one of the most brilliant minds of the NRL and I firmly believe he could do it.
Sure, not everyone likes his commentary, but I have met the guy and he is a total gentleman, so don’t think what you see on TV is 100 per cent how he is off the screen.
That’s not always the case. If anyone can truly fix this referee’s mess, Phil Gould is the guy for the role.
Roarers, what do you think about this refs mess? Is it fixable or has this problem gone on for too long? Would the game be fixed or would the NRL cease to exist in the upcoming years?
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