NRL 2023: Bunker could be answer to rugby league’s forward pass problem

Peter V’landys is open to the NRL bunker being given power to step in and adjudicate on blatant forward passes, he explains why to PHIL ROTHFIELD.

Peter V'landys has promised to crack down on forward pass technology.

NRL boss Peter V’landys wants to investigate the potential for the bunker to rule on blatant forward passes from next year.

It would only be used in try-scoring situations as part of the normal adjudication process, so it would not waste time or interfere with the flow of the game.

Fans were in uproar on Saturday night when the Broncos, leading by 12 points, scored the match-deciding try against the Warriors from a Reece Walsh pass that went several metres forward.

It was somehow missed by referee Gerard Sutton and his touch judges.

As a result of the weekend games, this masthead understands that the NRL is seriously considering bringing back Ashley Klein to referee the Broncos v Panthers decider.

While he had a horror game in the Storm v Roosters match, Klein has a great record in big matches.

Peter V'landys has promised to crack down on forward pass technology.

But back to the forward pass issue.

Asked about changing the rules to allow the bunker to step in situations like Saturday night, V’Landys said: “We should look at it, absolutely. Any help we can give the referees we should.

“I have the greatest admiration for the job all of our referees do.

“But any assistance we can give them to relieve some of the pressure would be commonsense.

“We’ll look at it during the off-season in our general review.”

Won’t decide the match, but seriously how could those two gridiron passes be missed. pic.twitter.com/cQsbLi5Mbo

— The Oracle (@BigOtrivia) September 23, 2023

Using the bunker is a long overdue move but V’landys says spending hundreds of thousands on new technology is not necessarily the answer.

You don’t need chips in footballs or any form of new technology to rule on passes that we see from our lounge rooms are clearly forward.

As V’landys says: “If it’s forward out of the hands you can see that from the bunker anyway.”

The NRL chairman was quick to defend Sutton for his overall performance.

After the game NRL chief executive Andrew Abdo was seen tapping on the door of the referees room at Suncorp Stadium to offer his support to Sutton.

“Anyone can make a mistake in a pressure environment,” V’landys said.

“It’s such a pressure cooker job. They have hundreds of thousands of eyeballs watching every decision.

“I make mistakes in life with no pressure. Everyone makes mistakes every day.

“The refs make one and everyone wants to come down on them.”

He insists the overall quality of the NRL’s match officials is world class.

“We’re lucky to have the referees we have today,” he said. “Look at the speed of the game. They are elite athletes.

“And these guys are human at the end of the day. We need to remember that and be thankful for the professional job they do every week.”

Originally published as NRL 2023: Bunker could be answer to rugby league’s forward pass problem