Finals football is almost upon us, and for many NRL clubs the fairytale is over before it could really begin. But before September kicks in, here are a few things I’d love to see.
Phil Gould drops the Donald Trump impression
The extraordinary bust-up at Penrith has threatened to derail what has been an excellent season for the Panthers.
It reeked of a power struggle between two old white guys refusing to budge.
It’s almost unbelievable to think that two men tasked with driving results couldn’t even speak to one another. There’s a cliché about pride in there somewhere.
The introduction of a captain’s challenge
The NRL rightfully enforced the rules to stop persistent infringing. The clubs refused to change, record numbers of penalties and sin-bins ensued, and the game suffered.
The outcome was unprecedented referee-bashing, culminating in Matt Checchin citing abuse and death threats as contributing factors to his retirement.
That is disgraceful.
Referees make mistakes – always have, always will – because rugby league is a fast, fluid, contact sport.
The captain’s challenge will address the obvious mistakes; the howlers. It works well in cricket and tennis, why not the NRL?
One challenge per team per half; if you’re right, you keep the challenge.
Referee Matt Cecchin (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)
Ricky Stuart accepts responsibility for poor performance
During Ricky Stuart’s tenure, Canberra have coughed and spluttered like a heavy smoker attempting a marathon. Since 2014 they have finished the regular season 16th, tenth, second, tenth, and are currently in tenth again.
Stuart has lamented poor referees, the rules, his own players, opposition players.. everything except himself.
The Raiders have shown ticker in recent weeks, now that results don’t matter. They are playing with freedom and look a far better side. Maybe there’s something in that.
Perhaps the Raiders could ask Phil Gould to see what’s happening at the club.
Indigenous All Stars vs NZ Maori
I love this concept. My only slight concern is it might result in more Kiwi players opting for Origin and Australia ahead of a black and white jumper.
But I’d love to see guys like Kalyn Ponga and Valentine Holmes acknowledging their heritage, performing the Haka and playing alongside some of my Kiwi favourites.
Get stuck in.
Andrew Fifita and Josh Dugan grow up
Andrew Fifita and Josh Dugan continue to plumb the depths of disappointment. Their lack of respect for the game is astounding.
These two should be maturing into great contributors to their club and code, as both are prodigiously talented, but they need to cut the rubbish and focus on the game.
No doubt they were genuinely surprised when overlooked for Origin. Great call, Brad Fittler.
Photo by Mark Evans/Getty Images
New Zealand vs England becomes a regular feature during Origin
Sam Burgess and James Graham are two absolute warriors, forged from hardened English steel. They spoke with passion about the prospect of a regular New Zealand vs England fixture during Origin; a chance to create our own history, our own legacy.
It would also provide more high-intensity games to test combinations under pressure, which should result in more competitive international matches. It promised so much.
Unfortunately, it was another missed opportunity by the NZRL.
The decision to play in the United States might have been a great marketing opportunity, but the mid-season travel was ridiculous. The clubs were rightfully sceptical and the result was an understrength match played half a world away.
Stick with it, but let’s keep it local. Maybe once the concept is proven, take it on the road.
The Warriors win their first title
Okay, they only just scraped into the finals and I have been guilty of premature celebration before, but I don’t care.
The Warriors have long been maligned for lacking intestinal fortitude but under Stephen Kearney they have shown they can muscle up and compete with anyone.
So I’m entitled to be excited.
I apologise to Kearney – in a fit of premature condemnation last season, I attributed much of their failings to him, all too quick to cite his time at Parramatta as justification. I was wrong.
It hasn’t been a good year for coaches, but it has been a good year for the competition, with just four points separating the top eight sides.
And it wouldn’t be NRL without plot twists and scandals.
If I could choose just one outcome, I’d take the Warriors win – although, after my Ricky Stuart comments, I wouldn’t be surprised if the Raiders get into them this week.
You’ve got to love the NRL.
TiHS
Guest
They already had the Sharks beaten this season if not for the officials missing a pass than went more forward than sideways at the end of the match - but let's not let facts or history cloud our little chat, yeah?
Jason Hosken
Roar Guru
With the Morris boys siding for what could be the last time together I'd like to see Canterbury call their bluff. I still can't separate the twins and I'm convinced they've played in each others jumpers over the years. Time for the Doggies to get one back and have both run out with the #2 on their backs.
The Barry
Roar Guru
But once a team has incorrectly used a challenge the pressure is on the refs to get everything 100% correct with no video. I think it’s fantasy land stuff to suggest that coaches, players, fans, media will just say “oh well Boyd Cordner used his challenge incorrectly so that excuses the refs from missing that knock on in 65th minute and the double movement in the 72nd minute that cost them the game” They will get absolutely baked, refs not good enough, nrl in crisis, etc, etc I really can see the merits of a captain’s challenge and how it could work in other sports and even in our game. Rugby league is nowhere near mature enough to be able to own this. It relies on a healthy dose of accept the referee’s decision and move on. Look at the commentary this year because Greenberg and the refs just decided to enforce the actual rules of the game. Look at the regular blow ups by coaches and fans whenever they lose.
RandyM
Guest
The Raiders never finished 16th. They have only been wooden spooners once, in 1982. But your point still stands.
Nat
Roar Guru
That's a fair wishlist Jeremy and just one has the slightest chance - your Warriors. I'm with TB re the Captains Challenge. If anything, only have it for try scoring opportunities that can challenge a forward pass or potential shepherd. All put downs can be reviewed at the discretion of the ref/s. Ricky and Gus, no chance. That sort of accountability requires inward reflection. Dugan and Fifita to mature? They are 28 & 29 respectively. That said, too much has been made about this latest podcast. He gave an inarticulate opinion on a lowly podcast. He wasn't on TV, Twitter etc but look at the reach Buzz has in reply.
Ghost Crayfish
Roar Pro
Good article, but it's pretty hard to keep a game between New Zealand and England "local" for everyone isn't it?
Nat
Roar Guru
Hey Jimmmy, doesn't the fact we have video support take the pressure off the ref? As TB points out, if the allocated challenge/s have been exhausted and a 'Uate' happens, the Coach will blast the ref. IMO, the bunker gets far more right than wrong in try scoring opportunities, it is their interpretation of a shepherd (or the like) that we have the greatest issue with.
Big Daddy
Guest
I would like to see the bunker used on forward passes when a try is scored. Watched bledisloe cup the other night and it worked okay with no complaints from player's.
jimmmy
Roar Rookie
TB , firstly the Bunker GENERALLY does gets rid of howlers but yep they have made a couple themselves over time. The Captains challenge will not change that one bit. The only thing that can improve that is to improve th quality of the bunkers decision making. What a Captains challenge does do is two fold. It takes a lot of pressure off the onfield Refs. They just award or disallow the try. The pressure is then on the captain to make a decision. Secondly, it will speed things up. I would say most tries will not be challenged so the understandable overcaution that Refs display now will vanish. It is seriously worth genuine consideration .
The Barry
Roar Guru
Yeah that’s fair enough...but it means the captains challenge is more about managing the pace or the flow of the game and giving control back to the on field refs rather than eliminating mistakes - including the howler. Which I’m fine with but I think it comes with a caveat that we need to be relatively comfortable with the standard of on field and bunker officiating. Because really it’s a winding back of video technology. It’s there that I don’t think we’re ready. I also have little confidence in our maturity as a code to handle it. At some stage - and pretty early I’d suggest - a ref will allow a try that was clearly a knock on, foot in touch, etc and the losing coach and the media will be howling things like “if the technology is there we should be using it!” and social media will be blowing up and it will be a disgrace #nrlincrisis, etc
Jeremy Brown
Roar Pro
Thanks The Barry, I take your point. I don’t think the bunker will get everything right, every time. For me, I think there needs to be balance between accuracy and ensuring the game is enjoyable to watch. Union has gone too far with technology. The game has become disjointed and at times painfully slow while players and fans wait for tv officials to review endless replays from a hundred angles. With a captains challenge, the refs can have confidence in their calls, knowing if the players don’t like it and are convinced they’re right they can put a challenge on the line. Or make it a coaches call - they have TVs, replays and the best view of the field. You’re right, we may still see the occasional howler, but personally I’d rather accept that happens sometimes and have a game that is great to watch.
The Barry
Roar Guru
The captains challenge doesn’t get rid of howlers by definition. If a guy in the bunker is making poor decisions he’s making them regardless of whether it’s being referred by a captain or a referee. I think it will lead to more howlers. A captain incorrectly uses a challenge (or uses it correctly but the bunker makes a bad decision) and for the rest of that half, neither the captain or the referees can refer anything to the bunker, relying only on on-field decisions. I’m open to it but I’m yet to hear anyone clearly articulate how taking referral options away from referees leads to less howlers?
Maxy Max
Guest
The Warriors are hopeless. When the going gets tough the Warriors leave the room. Absolutely zero change beating the Storm or Sharks.