Phil Gould is on the warpath again over the bunker’s interference by claiming it’s ruining the game and has been a disaster.
The Canterbury general manager went on another rant on Nine’s 100% Footy on Monday night to accuse the NRL of inconsistent rulings and protecting the referees from scrutiny when they make bad calls.
“I’ve been telling you for years. No one is in control, they’ve given the referees too much control of the rulebook, of the game,” he said.
“The one thing that was advised to me 30 years ago by very smart people in this game – do not give referees control of the rule book, do not give referees control of video refereeing. He said at the time it would be a disaster in the game, it’s been a disaster, it’s been an absolute disaster.”
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He was fuming over Bulldogs hooker Reed Mahoney being penalised and placed on report for a hip drop on Titans prop Moeaki Fotuaika on Sunday.
Reed Mahoney. (Photo by Daniel Pockett/Getty Images)
“Two minutes later he gets hit on the jaw by an elbow (from Tino Fa’asuamaleaui). No penalty but he gets charged the next day. How can you justify that?
“I can talk about Bulldogs anytime I like, particularly when they get it wrong and they get it wrong a lot,” he added in reference to recent reports that the NRL wanted to haul him into line over his media commentary while holding a senior position at a club.
It wasn’t just the on-field officials who attracte Gould’s ire.
“You know why there’s so much wrong, it’s the nit-picking in the bunker,” he said.
“They must have a giant magnifying glass in there sometimes to pick up stuff that no one could possibly see. It goes on every week.
“The nit-picking by the bunker to disallow a try, they want to find something that no one else can find, they want to find it and just spoil the moment.
“It’s ridiculous and it’s ruining the game, and the problem with that is, is our officials keep supporting it and saying you can’t criticise it and they should be allowed to continue what they’re doing, that’s ruining the game as well.”
He claimed the referees are extremely divided “on how they’re told to referee and the systems and processes they’ve got in place and also how half the referees stick to that when they know it’s not right”.
Gould also accused Gerard Sutton for over-reacting by sin-binning Hudson Young and Sean Keppie for a minor scuffle in Canberra on Sunday while highlighting Roosters lock Victor Radley not being sent for hitting Dragons prop Blake Lawrie with his head on Friday at Kogarah.
He claimed Sutton sends players to the sin bin more than any other referee
DCE defends decision to dump veterans
Queensland captain Daly Cherry-Evans has urged his axed teammates not to linger on their omissions that stunned their NSW rivals, insisting they could still play a role later in the series.
Second-year Maroons coach Billy Slater will roll out a new-look side in Adelaide’s State of Origin opener on May 31 after leaving out Kalyn Ponga, Dane Gagai and Kurt Capewell.
Ponga (concussion) and Capewell (shoulder) were under injury clouds and have been replaced by the in-form Reece Walsh and David Fifita respectively.
But in arguably the biggest call, Newcastle centre Gagai was fit and has been overlooked after playing in every Origin game since the third match of 2015.
In a move at odds with the Maroons’ general custom to “pick and stick”, Slater has instead opted for the form and speed of Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow to match up against Blues powerhouse Latrell Mitchell.
Slater said breaking the news to Gagai was the toughest phone call he made.
“Stunning,” Blues assistant coach Greg Alexander told SEN.
“When you think Queensland over the last seven or eight years, I think Cameron Munster, Josh Papalii and Dane Gagai. Dane Gagai is one of those players that just produces for Queensland and has every time.”
Gagai and Ponga’s Newcastle teammate Tyson Frizell admitted he was surprised by their omissions.
“I guess they do miss that experience. Gags, every game since his debut he’s been one of their best,” the Blues forward said.
Cherry-Evans sympathised after he too was dropped in 2015.
“They are tough calls but they are the decision that as a player, once they are made, you can’t linger on them,” he told AAP.
Dane Gagai. (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)
“They are friends of mine now, so I definitely feel for those boys, mainly because I have been there before.”
Cherry-Evans said the trio must respond appropriately at club level “with the passion and desire that shows they still want to be here”.
“There is still a massive chance those boys can play a massive role for Queensland throughout this series,” he said.
Pat Carrigan, last year’s man of the series, said the selection calls had been felt when the Maroons squad assembled on Monday. “It’s different; some guys missed out I’ve got some good relationships with, so it’s tough to see,” he said.
“But Bill’s given some guys an opportunity and I know they’ll stand up and I’ve got plenty of mates in this team. It is (cut-throat) but every time you put the jersey on you’re expected to perform, so nothing changes for me.”
Klein named Origin I ref
Ashley Klein will officiate a fourth straight State of Origin match, despite concerns being raised over his handling of one of the major flashpoints in last year’s decider.
NSW coach Brad Fittler was stinging in his criticism of Klein after he failed to sin-bin Queensland prop Tino Fa’asuamaleaui for his role in a melee in Origin III last year.
Fa’asuamaleaui held Matt Burton in a headlock while fellow Maroons player Dane Gagai punched the Blues centre, with Queensland going on to secure a 2-1 series victory.
Gagai and Burton were both sin-binned, but Fittler branded Klein’s failure to sanction Fa’asuamaleaui as “ridiculous”.
But the experienced referee has been handed the whistle for the series opener in Adelaide on May 31.
Grant Atkins will head up the bunker, while Gerard Sutton is the standby referee.
As well as officiating the past three Origin games, Klein also took charge of the NRL grand final and the Rugby League World Cup final.
Victor Radley is sent to the sin bin by Ashley Klein. (Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images)
“Ashley has officiated well so far in the 2023 premiership and has significant experience in big matches,” said NRL referees boss Jared Maxwell.
“Ashley refereed all three State of Origin matches in 2022, and this match will be his 12th Origin.
“This will be the same on-field and bunker team which officiated in the grand final last year, so they have all proven themselves at this level.”
Heyou
Roar Rookie
Thanks Phil!
Bernie Vinson
Roar Rookie
Its a Gus deflection - Klein stuffed up 2 bunker calls (according to Nine commentators) to even up Broncs game and is still in the bunker this weekend and gets SOO1 this week. Am I missing something. AFL are used to blowout games so NRL call on Klein so expect they have the close one - however first game doesnt matter too much - just need a good ref in SOO2 to guarantee a decider..
Phil
Roar Rookie
You don't need the sin bin for anything. You deserve the Dally M for telling it how it is.
Heyou
Roar Rookie
It’s the INCONSISTENCY that grates as in sucks big time. Nit pick here don’t nitpick there, ignore this, don’t ignore that, see this, don’t see that, say yes to this, say no to that, misinterpret the rule interpretation, interpret the rule interpretation, confirm this, don’t confirm that, stuff this one up, don’t stuff that one up, fix this, don’t fix that, give a fine for this, suspend for that… etc annoying, game changing, frustrating, frothing at the mouth, scaring the dogs, some outspoken speakers whinging, some not outspoken silently fuming experts and coaches etc not whinging…it’s all part of the NRL brand. It’s so fast that it’s slowing the game to a stop start whinge milk challenge ref touch-up… I deserve the sin bin for my lack of punctuation. Goulash deserves the sin bin too because you can be in the right but still be a sinner.
Forty Twenty
Roar Rookie
I stumbled on a Terry Lamb interview an you tube yesterday and Sterlo asked him about the GF hit on Ellery Hanley. Lamb hadn't seen the replay in decades and his mind had played tricks on how bad it was. He let out a gasp when he saw it because it's a shocker. Possibly the most crucial play ever in a G.F was illegal and it's clear that a video ref needs to get involved if the ref misses it or doesn't act. . I don't care if it comes at the expense of a free flowing game. The game is great at the moment and hasn't been ruined. It's pure fantasy to look at the odd video ref stuff up and conclude that they aren't getting it right more often than they used to.
Robbo
Roar Rookie
No - don't think so - I think as the game gets more athletic it's important to scrutinise the athleticism. The next thing is GPS or something in the ball to call forward passes once and for all. I was spruiking it for years before it was talked about but I guess the technology can't cope with the rigours of being a football. Getting forward pass calls right every time would be game-changing
Robbo
Roar Rookie
You said that at 1:00 :stoked:
Robbo
Roar Rookie
Yes but the calls were often and loud that refs were making mistakes. I think the bunker means that a lot less tries are falsely awarded and very few fair ones are disallowed.
Tom G
Roar Rookie
I’m telling you we’re a heart beat from endless reviews and games going for two and a half hours. It’s time for the NRL to wind their neck in with this self destructive bs
Simoc
Roar Rookie
We should blast Ch 9 for sticking with caveman Gus. He has become an embarrassment to the game. Hopeless on comments, just like a cracked record. He looks and sounds well past 100 years old. He is out of touch with rugby league.
Cadfael
Roar Guru
A big problem is the commentators, with Gould leading the charge. His comment "they’ve given the referees too much control of the rulebook", no they haven't. If anything the commentators have done this. We've recently seen incidents where players should have been sent off and were either given a sin bin or nothing but the NRL andf commentators want 13 against 13 and blow the laws of the game. Commentators blow up because teams score more tries when the opposition is down a player. Ref then cops the blame for this where its the player at fault. We have commentators complaining when a swinging arm is only a penalty, the complaint, the player should have been sin binned or sent off. Same commentators and NRL say when this happens its wrong. Referees have made some boners but how about their only instructions be to referee as per the laws of the game and forget about the guidelines ande the sideline commentators. Plus get the touchies to do their job which would then make the rtefs job easier.
Ferret
Roar Rookie
Ohh the hypocrisy of Gus! While I agree with his comments it was Gus and his fellow blowhards / crisis merchants who have driven the changes over the years. The refs are damned if they do and, damned if they don't.
zonecadet
Roar Rookie
If the referees are not in control of the rule book who the hell is? All this came from TV endlessly showing us replays during games of refereeing howlers, especially on try/no try decisions. So they brought in two referees, then the bunker for decisions, then the captain's challenge. Take all that away, they've already killed off one referee (welcome back consistent offsides), and we'll have a better game apparently. Maybe. But not if Gus' friends at 9 and Fox are allowed to go back to complaining about things the one lone referee misses. There are more forward passes, especially out of dummy half, than ever but referees fail to see them time and again already, can't wait until they miss that match winning try/no try.
jimmmy
Roar Rookie
Oh I think a lot is the technology. They pretend a blurry picture is like a DNA test.
jimmmy
Roar Rookie
That was aweful . One thousand times the bunker says obstruction and the Ref says to players ' sorry I can't do anything they have ruled on it'. Once he says ' nah bunker you're wrong , I overule you. ' It's just random bs.
Tom G
Roar Rookie
Particularly now that we have the onfield ref holding a conference with the guy in the bunker to debate the decision
Phil
Roar Rookie
Never thought the day would come where I agree with something Gould has said. He is right, the bunker officials do nitpick which spoils the continuity of the game. The Reed Mahoney incident was a non event yet he was penalised. There was human error in our game pre bunker era and it is still there with technology at the touch of a button. I suppose it's not so much the technology but those who officiate.
Tom G
Roar Rookie
Totally agree, league is meant to be a fast moving spectacle, at least we’re being endlessly told it is. A Referee used to be able to make calls in real time. Now they’re straight to the bunker with everything. Sure there were mistakes but far more often than not the result went to the best team and don’t we still have massive howlers. When a try is being scrutinised to a stop frame degree involving multiple camera angles it’s become farcical.
jimmmy
Roar Rookie
Sometimes , sometimes Gus is right . And he is on the money with the nit picking bunker. The technology just isn’t good enough to tell. It’s a freaking blur and they act like they have DNA evidence. Let’s stick to a legal definition, To overturn a Refs call it must be BEYOND reasonable doubt. No on balance of probabilities, no God like pronouncement that ‘ he knocked the ball on ‘ , lost it into another player, didn’t get it to the line . It’s guess work. Toss the coin. Just a humble ‘we can’t really be sure and Ref uis a lot closer than us , so lets just stick with that ruling shall we.
Dumbo
Roar Rookie
"... not to linger on their omissions that stunned their NSW rivals,..." "stunned" ? Seriously? I doubt many people even lifted an eyebrow, let alone were rendered unconscious or stupefied by the news that Billy Slater had dropped a poorly performing, 32 year old Gagai, or an injured Capewell. Equally, if KP had been selected and had taken a head knock, then the inevitable squeals of anguish from the commentariat and from social media might have cost Billy his job, as QRL and NRA would have been thrown into damage control, and forced to take action to save themselves. No-one should have been "stunned" that Billy took the obvious precaution.