The woeful standard of officiating is symptomatic of a culture of ‘self-preservation’ that exists at NRL headquarters and sweeping personnel changes within the refereeing ranks is the only answer.
That’s the strong opinion of premiership-winning coach, former Penrith Panthers administrator and outspoken rugby league pundit Phil Gould.
The referees are once again under siege following another weekend of howlers that marred Round 19 of the NRL campaign.
Four match officials - head referee Chris Sutton, assistant ref Chris Butler and touch judges Clayton Sharpe and Adam Cassidy – were on Monday dropped for a series of blown calls in Saturday’s Eels-Warriors clash.
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In an extraordinary attack on Channel 9’s 100% Footy on Monday night, Gould observed a selfishness he says has permeated the refereeing ranks he suggested stems from the very top of the NRL administration.
“A lot of it is a continuation and a development of what we’ve seen in the past,” Gould said on said 100% Footy.
“Almost everything in this game, anyone who has any job whatsoever in the NRL, their highest priority is self-preservation.
“And you’re looking at the referees, predominantly, when they referee a game in self-preservation mode, that’s what they are.
“They don’t want to be criticised at the end of it. Everything is designed, whether it’s technology or rule interpretations or the way they communicate with each other, is designed to save them from criticism at the end of the game if they’ve made a blue.
“How’s that working for them? Not so good.
“But that’s right through the NRL, that’s why the referees are like they are.”
Gould, who resigned from his post as Penrith’s general manager of football in April, suggested trouble has been brewing in the referees department for some time.
He didn’t name names but the man they call Gus declared a widespread culling of match officials is needed.
“Don’t start me on this because I’ve told you a number of times this needs to be the fixed,” he barked.
“There needs to be an element in referees’ ranks that needs to be cut out completely – I mean severed with and cut out – this has been coming for a long time.”
