NRL continue referees shake-up, with plan to lure Matt Cecchin back to the game

The day after Tony Archer was dumped as referees boss, The Daily Telegraph can reveal the NRL is trying to talk leading whistleblower Matt Cecchin into reconsidering his decision to quit the game for English Super League.

How did the NRL let Cecchin go in the first place? (Gregg Porteous)

• Refs boss Archer dumped after turbulent season
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LEADING referee Matt Cecchin has been urged to backflip on a controversial decision to quit the NRL amid calls for the refereeing ranks to be cleaned out immediately.

New NRL head of elite football operations, Graham Annesley, confirmed he had spoken “several times” to Cecchin about reversing a decision to leave the NRL for English Super League.

The development comes after The Daily Telegraph revealed Tony Archer had been dumped as referee’s boss and given a role in game development.

How did the NRL let Cecchin go in the first place? (Gregg Porteous)

Annesley, a former grand final and State of Origin referee, has quietly yet efficiently started to tidy the dysfunctional refereeing roster — and the shake up must continue according to another ex-referee, the great Bill Harrigan.

“(Appointing Annesley) is a very good move,” said Harrigan, a 10-time grand final referee. “He is a very experienced man and will shake things up. And it needs it.

“You know why. I have been very vocal about it for how long.”

Graham Annesley is already having an impact at the NRL. (Jerad Williams)

Harrigan then backed the decision to try and lure Cecchin back.

“He was the best referee running around,” Harrigan said. “The number one referee this year was squeezed out.”

Asked what he thought of Archer’s demise, Harrigan said: “No comment.”

It is understood Cecchin did not commit either way about reversing his decision when talking Annesley.

While no official deadline has been set, NRL officials need Cecchin to decide quickly given all other referees have returned to off-season training.

After a season of controversy, Tony Archer has been demoted. (Marc Robertson)

Cecchin quit the NRL after last season citing personal differences with Archer and senior refereeing manager, Bernard Sutton.

Sources close to Cecchin claim he would be prepared to comeback if Archer and Sutton had their power and influence diminished.

That has now happened.

The entire refereeing system is now under the guise of Annesley, a former NSW Minister for Sport.

Annesley would not elaborate when asked to offer more details on his discussions with Cecchin.

One source close to Cecchin however claimed the meetings were “amicable.”

“Matt was asked to reconsider and that the door was open,” said the source. “There wasn’t a firm answer but there wasn’t a definite no either.”

The NRL won’t place any further pressure on Cecchin, who has refused to publicly question or criticise Archer and Sutton.

Others close to Cecchin claim he has had made up his mind and will head to England.

A friend said he wanted the challenge of refereeing in Super League while enjoying the benefits of being so close to Europe.

Gerard Sutton and Ashley Klein ran the 2018 grand final. (Brett Costello)

Cecchin was overlooked for most of the big games last season with Bernard Sutton opting for Gerard Sutton and Ashley Klein to adjudicate the NRL grand final

The same pair refereed State of Origin.

Despite being regarded by many as the game’s premier referee, Cecchin was consistently overlooked.

Cecchin was also rattled after receiving death threats for a late and contentious decision he made in a Word Cup semi-final last year between England and Tonga in New Zealand.

Some feel he just wants to get out of Australia.

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