From its introduction into the NRL in 1998, the video referral system has caused controversy.
In 2016, the Bunker was introduced to try make on-field decisions more accurate. However, the system has slowed the game down and changed the way it is played.
Rugby league is a high-paced sport, where fatigue can be turned into a tactical advantage, and where stoppages play an important role. It is a game of teamwork, skill, and aggression, where opponents try and outsmart, outrun and pummel their opposition to allow them to score points.
The game is not about nitpicking trivial indiscretions, or officials who now feel obliged to control the flow of a game. As Phil Gould said, “The referee is there just to keep it fair.”
Cynics may argue that video refereeing is a blatant revenue-raising exercise, particularly when major corporations’ logos are plastered over the big screen when viewers’ attention is focused on a pending result.
It would be interesting to know if these corporations are charged for each individual video decision, or pay an agreed sum for advertising in an entire game. It would be an economic incentive to have more video referrals if it was the former, and would be a good reason for the NRL to retain the system.
The video system has also seen on-ground referees being coached during the game by off-field referees, who can see things the on-field referee cannot. Micromanagement is considered a poor practice outside the heady world of the Bunker, so why is it considered a good practice within? If a highly trained referee is given the responsibility to apply the rules, then it would be more irritating to have another official advising you to award penalties throughout the game.
[latest_videos_strip category=”rugby-league” name=”League”]
On-field referees are intimately involved in the play on a human level, and no off-field system will ever replace that.
Humans will always make mistakes, no matter how much technology is at hand. Debating bad refereeing decisions is part of sporting tradition, and is how supporters develop a passion and understanding for the game. Winning obviously helps, but is not essential to the love of rugby league. Fast, free-flowing games are what makes this sport most attractive, and the video referee system is preventing that.
Rugby league has a working-class background and is perceived as being the people’s game. There was no clearer demonstration of this then when the South Sydney Rabbitohs were kicked out in 1999, and 80,000 people marched from Redfern Park to Sydney Town Hall to protest against their expulsion on vague commercial grounds, and more importantly to demonstrate that sporting clubs are much more than a business with capitalistic interests.
This campaign was a clear example of the passion and determination of rugby league fans, and is precisely the strength of will now required to advocate for change to the failed experiment which is the video referee.
Reckon you can pick the winning team? Build your own dream team with Draftstars daily fantasy and compete on any match. For great odds on the NRL head on over to PlayUp. Imagine what you could be buying instead. Set a deposit limit.
The NRL's match officials announcement on Tuesday lunchtime is usually cause for little fanfare, but sparked debate this week with top ref Ashley Klein…
All the team list information for Round 8.
Braydon Trindall has been stood down from the Cronulla Sharks after failing an alcohol and drug test while driving on a suspended licence. The…
Cronulla co-captain Dale Finucane has announced his retirement from the NRL after "double-digit concussions" prompted him to call a premature end to his playing…
I’m sorry Newcastle, but this won’t be your year. Unless your whole approach can change. Kalyn Ponga’s Lisfranc injury may have cost him 12…
Paul Gallen on 100% Footy has questioned how the bunker, touch judge and referee all missed what should've been a sin-bin after a Wests…
