NRL football boss Graham Annesley has launched a blistering defence of his referees after the chief executive of the Warriors’ major sponsor alleged there was an unconscious bias against his team.
Jason Paris, CEO of telco One NZ, went on a social media rampage during the Warriors’ 18-6 Magic Round loss, accusing officials of “cheating of the highest order”.
The Warriors were perplexed by referee Todd Smith’s decision to overlook a possible high tackle on captain Tohu Harris from Panthers enforcer Moses Leota.
Dallin Watene-Zelezniak was also sent for a head injury assessment after being glanced in the face by a Tyrone Peachey swipe that went unpunished.
“Are you kidding me?” he wrote. “How biased are the @NRL bunker and referees against the @NZWarriors? Have they got money on them to lose? It’s like we are permanently against 14 on the field and they want us to play with 12.
“It’s absolutely outrageous and so incredibly frustrating. Imagine how the team feel – three games in 11 days and then this rubbish. Cheating of the highest order.
“We are not chasing a one off premiership this year. It’s about building the foundations for multiple years of success that the @NRL referees cannot ignore. They are absolutely biased towards the clubs that have the legacy of success. That will be us soon.”
In response to a punter, he invoked last week’s game against the Roosters, which also saw a Bunker controversy when Sitili Tupouniua was not binned for an alleged shoulder charge, only to score moments later.
“It’s tough to watch,” wrote Paris. “For the last two weeks we have had players receiving clear & direct shots to the head, it was reviewed and cleared by the bunker.
“Last week against the roosters that same player then scored a try against us soon after (admittedly it was a great try) and then yesterday same thing at a crucial time and it would been a momentum swing for us, but instead we lose two players for ten minutes for very marginal calls. It’s the inconsistency that drives me crazy.”
Paris is the CEO of One New Zealand, the largest mobile phone network in the country and a title sponsor of the Warriors in 2023.
On Monday, Paris doubled down. In a tweet, he withdrew his allegation that the referees were “cheating”, but added: “However, I do believe that there is unconscious bias happening every week against the Warriors and it needs to be addressed.
“All we want is consistency, but we are not getting it. Take opinions out of it and analyse the video footage from past games and compare our decisions vrs (sic) other teams.
“I think it will find that we are being disadvantaged – then we can work out why and take steps to fix it.”
Hours later Annesley did just that at his weekly briefing and, while he didn’t elaborate on the Harris high shot, explained that the adjudications on Sifakula, Ford and Watene-Zelezniak were correct.
“I’ll be measured as much as a I can; I’m a bit hot under the collar over this stuff,” he said. “There is no comment that could be worse.
(Photo by Matt King/Getty Images)
“The referees work very, very hard to do their best, not just at the NRL level but kids at the park on the weekend.
“The nature of the game is that there will be disagreement about the decisions that they make.
“We can question their decision making, but we can’t question their integrity.
“It questions the integrity of the entire NRL administration because we appoint these people.”
He said suggestions of a bias against the Warriors were laughable.
“I can go to eight losing clubs on any given week and they’ll all tell me they didn’t get the rub of the green,” he said.
“This is not something that’s peculiar to a team in New Zealand.”
NRL chief executive Andrew Abdo has also lashed Paris’ commentary and confirmed an investigation into his remarks was underway.
Warriors officials will meet with the organisation this week to review the decisions in question but it’s understood the NRL is uncertain how to proceed with any penalty, given Paris isn’t a member of the Warriors’ staff.
Jokerman
Roar Guru
Ha my comment? :rugby:
Tim Carter
Roar Pro
I'm not going to delve into every example because I don't have the time to devote to watching them all, but maybe multiple penalties are awarded to one side because the other side are consistently offending. If those offenses are ignored, some will claim that that would be due to refereeing bias. Sometimes it's a matter of interpretation, other times a matter of a referee being more observant, other times a referee could simply be having a brain fart. Unless we can invent Ref-Bot 4000 (and probably even if we do), someone is always going to think that they're copping a raw deal.
adam smith
Roar Rookie
:crying: Sorry to hear that ST :laughing: I can relate tho, Tigers have always been my second team…
Short Memory
Roar Rookie
we never complained Comedy gold from a Souths fan. :laughing: :laughing: :laughing:
Short Memory
Roar Rookie
supporters of perennial losers always claim referee bias Nah. Us Tigers fans know it’s because our team is crap. :crying:
Short Memory
Roar Rookie
Sounds like he's been hanging out with too many Souths fans
Panthers
Roar Rookie
That’s right. I have to admit above all. That NZ punches well above its weight in most things & especially in sports. Embarrassing Australia regularly. Maybe Australia should also enter some teams in the local Rugby Union competitions over there & learn how to play , at a decent level. :thumbup:
Paulo
Roar Rookie
True - and especially losing to each other hurts too :unhappy: But to be honest, if it’s not us (NZ), then I’d prefer you (Aus) win what ever comp we’re competing in.
Paulo
Roar Rookie
The irony of this comment on an Australian rugby site :laughing:
Panthers
Roar Rookie
True. Yet there’s nothing more personal than a one on one loss. :thumbup:
Paulo
Roar Rookie
Still the World Champs :silly:
Phantom
Roar Rookie
One of many.
Panthers
Roar Rookie
My whole point was that there’s no support for development clubs in the cap , or in any form in the NRL. Proofs in the pudding, with Penrith not being able to keep their own locals , due to how the cap is set up. Only certain clubs can keep all the best of the best players they buy & produce themselves. South’s are one of those clubs. Then they can also add to this by buying more expensive players. They showed off their new found wealth, when they came out in the new amarni suits. Certain clubs can continue to buy the best players, keep their best players, build up their stock of players beyond their top squad. As they have an unfair advantage. Talk of loyalty keeps them & the rest is just crap. Money talks…
steveng
Roar Rookie
Souths have got a well balanced and loyal players squad, none of our players want to leave the Bunnies, they are very happy to be in the Bunnies family, which is much different to the Panthers squad, all your blokes want to leave and get better $$$sss, Its not our problem if Burton, Kikau left and next its Crichton and Leniu that are leaving, don’t be surprised if in mid 2024 Edwards and Martin will be next as N. Cleary will be the only one left by 2027. What’s this Armani suits caper got to do with anything, your Panthers have no style, just don’t have a go at real style mate :laughing: as GB said, “the ugg boots brigade” then add the trankies and hoodies, as that’s about the Panthers style :thumbup:
NQR
Roar Rookie
Tim I’d suggest NAS was the main focus and then JWH became part of some scrutiny because he trumped him with his rubbish especially when they played the Storm. The Cowboys have consistently had players binned against the Roosters for years. Last year 2 Cowboys were sin binned against the Roosters and the official (Sutton) awarded 2 penalties and 4. 6 agains whilst those players were off. It’s much easier to score when you are gifted field position and unlimited possession. In that particular game he also warned JWH about raising the elbow into Nanai and a swinging arm to the head of Taulagi when scoring? JWH wasn’t even penalised for either, only warned? Then against the Sharks Sutton took a try off Taumalolo for obstruction as he dived over the line. Hilariously it was the opposite interpretation he had given to sin binning the Cowboys players earlier in the year against the Roosters? Some other interesting facts about Sutton and his officiating. It took 26 games for the Cowboys to win only their 4th games against a Sydney team with him officiating? They beat the Dogs in that game despite a 8 - 4 penalty count against them in July 2014. Sutton was appointed his first Origin in July 2014. Sutton has been doing Origin for a while and he was the official in charge when NSW broke QLD run. He managed 9 straight penalties and a Queenslander in the Sin bin in the opening 15 min of that game. It was a series deciding victory for NSW and a record 12-3 penalty count their way. It was also the new interpretation of passive off side in NSW match winning try. I’m not sure there isn’t some evidence of bias in these circumstances.
Panthers
Roar Rookie
Oh & don’t we all remember the new Amarni Suits. That says everything we need to know! :laughing:
Panthers
Roar Rookie
Do you have anything at all , that resembles the present? South’s were dead & buried , without their current backers. About 1,500 supporters turned up altogether to watch them play, before they got their current backers. Now they more fit the mould of a Roosters , more than a Penrith or West’s . In every way. :thumbup:
steveng
Roar Rookie
:laughing: Panthers typical, you must not have been following the NRL for long, as there have been lots and lots of Souths players that have gotten away, its not only the Panthers boof, lets see, James Roberts, Addo-Carr played his junior rugby league for the La Perouse Panthers and Moore Park. In 2012, Addo-Carr played with the South Sydney Rabbitohs SG Ball team before being released due to an off-field incident, then add Api Korisau, Adam Reynolds, Angus Crichton, Dylan Walker, Siosifa Talakai, Lee Hookey, Luke Keary, Josh Starling, Issac Luke, yes this is going back, but there are many more. Don’t give us any excuses about the Panthers as we never complained or made excuses like all you Panthers are beginning to do, and will continue on making and :crying: get over it Panthers!
Panthers
Roar Rookie
Didn’t Western Suburbs run out an away jersey that was almost all white?
Tim Buck 3
Roar Rookie
Western Suburbs were Black & White with very little white in their two small V's. They were more like Panthers, not Magpies although the black backed Magpies of Canberra are more black than white.