NRL News: Sharpe and Badger appointed in NRL first, Agent brands NRL 'racist game' over Latrell text, Tohu in finals doubt

Belinda Sharpe and Kasey Badger are set to become the first women to take sole control of first grade men’s rugby league after being named to NRL games this weekend.

Sharpe will be the first after being handed the whistle for Friday night’s early kick off between Manly and the Wests Tigers at Brookvale Oval, before Badger follows on Sunday for the Titans v Bulldogs match on the Gold Coast.

Sharpe has already been in the middle for a men’s game, however it was in the old two-ref system. Badger has been a regular in the Bunker this season and controlled England v Greece in the men’s competition at last year’s World Cup.

Both also have extensive experience as touch judges and as frontline officials in the NRLW, as well as Women’s Origin and Women’s international matches.

“Kasey and Belinda have both been exceptional officials and it’s so pleasing that they have both continued to develop so well,” said ref’s boss Graham Annesley.

“As pioneers, they have had to deal with added pressure through their careers. But they progressed through the refereeing pathways diligently, and patiently waited for the opportunity.”

Agent brands NRL ‘racist game’ over Latrell text

Leading player agent Khoder Nasser has branded the NRL ‘a racist game’ following the comments made by Rod Churchill, son of South Sydney legend Clive Churchill, about Latrell Mitchell.

Nasser spoke to the Sydney Morning Herald following the incident, in which Churchill labelled Mitchell a ‘myth’ and a ‘cancer’, while also suggesting that he put his Indigenous culture ahead of Souths, and said that if Mitchell continued to be subjected to such treatment, he would leave rugby league, as previous stars Anthony Mundine and Sonny Bill Williams did.

“It’s a racist game,” said Nasser.

“It’s so blatant. It’s appalling. It drove Anthony and Sonny out of the game. They need to be told because you want things to move forward. You don’t want it to be where Anthony Mundine and Sonny were. Anthony Mundine was very vocal and rightfully so.

“He had zero tolerance for any form of racism that he encountered and continues to be like that. No one went through what Anthony Mundine went through, but people have a different way in dealing with these things.

“Anthony was vocal about it. Latrell seems to be vocal in his silence. We need to know what he’s feeling. You can tell that Latrell has been really hurt here. You can’t hear him or see him now, but you hear other voices around him.

“It’s sad that someone of his profile and his standing in the game is in this situation where he is attacked from pillar to post. I hope it doesn’t drive him out of the sport altogether. I’ve seen it before.”

Nasser added that it was obvious that Mitchell would put the cause of Indigenous people above a football team.

“I don’t think there is any fair thinking person who would not agree that the Aboriginal situation in this country is far more important than your football team,” he said.

“And I’m sure South Sydney, the important people at the club, are all for this very humane attitude. I commend the individual for realising the inappropriate remarks, especially coming from a line of dignified royalty in rugby league such as the Churchills.

“The apology has to be taken and accepted by the most important person, which is Latrell. The attack was on him and the Aboriginal community as a whole.”

Inspirational captain a finals doubt

Tohu Harris is a doubt for the first week of the finals with an ongoing back injury, according to sources in New Zealand.

Sky NZ called Sam Hewat tweeted “there are strong fears he will not be ready for finals” with his injury not set to heal in him for the Warriors’ return to the post-season.

The captain will sit out the Warriors final match of the regular calendar this weekend against the Dolphins, but Kiwi sources have suggested that he may have to wait longer to return, with his spot in a semi-final – potentially away to Penrith – in doubt.

Five eighth Luke Metcalf is also a doubt, as is centre Rocco Berry. Metcalf left their win last Friday over the Dragons with a hamstring complaint, while Berry has a knee injury. He also departed early, though coach Andrew Webster insisted that it was precautionary.

Souths infighting goes canine

Souths have had a tough week, with coach Sam Burgess leaving the club after a round of bloodletting following their recent poor form.

Now, the Daily Mail are reporting that the infighting has even gone as far as the pets, with Jai Arrow’s dog reported to have attacked coach Jason Demetriou’s pup at the club’s “Bring Your Dog to Work’ day.

NRL reporter Danny Weidler confirmed that the incident had occurred, but that the coach’s dog was fine.

Arrow’s animals have caused issues before: he was forced to put down his Staffordshire Terrier, Thor, after it attacked a greyhound on the Central Coast last year.