Referee bunker change is one of NRL’s dumbest decisions

THE NRL had the chance to improve their multi-million dollar bunker — instead they have made it less effective, writes PHIL ROTHFIELD.

Sharks skipper Paul Gallen argues with referee Ben Cummins during the NRL Preliminary Final match between Cronulla and the North Queensland Cowboys. Picture: Getty Images

IMAGINE your footy team is playing a must-win game in the last round of the NRL season trying to make the finals.

You are trailing by four points with a few minutes to go.

The opposition knocks on but the referees miss it.

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Under the rule changes announced on Tuesday, the bunker is powerless to act on it. Season over.

Sharks skipper Paul Gallen argues with referee Ben Cummins during the NRL Preliminary Final match between Cronulla and the North Queensland Cowboys. Picture: Getty Images

Your team has been robbed.

Imagine the same scenario. Again you are four points behind.

Your halfback kicks a 40-20 but it’s really close and the tough judge rules the ball has not quite made it past the 20-metre line.

Television replays prove he is wrong. Fans can also see the call is wrong at the ground.

Roosters captain Jake Friend questions referee Ashley Klein after a no-try ruling last season against Cronulla at Allianz Stadium. Picture: Gregg Porteous

Again, under new NRL rules, the bunker can’t do anything about it.

The NRL has revealed the bunker will only rule on pointscoring plays, in-goal restarts and reportable foul play in this year’s premiership.

So we now have a situation where millions of dollars have been spent to ensure we get the right decisions yet the equipment suddenly becomes null and void.

NRL referees boss Tony Archer will face greater scrutiny than ever in 2017. Picture: Getty Images

We have seen many blatant knock-ons the on-field referees have missed. Same with incorrect 40-20 calls.

Most of the time the touch judges are guessing because they are behind the play.

This is one of the NRL’s dumbest decisions.

Instead of improving the bunker they have made it less effective.

It is a recipe for disaster.