Blues coach Brad Fittler hopes referee blitz continues into State of Origin
BLUES coach Brad Fittler hopes the refs’ crackdown continues in Origin because he says the Maroons have been jumping the gun defensively for years.
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AS Thomas Keneally famously uttered in the 1999 rugby league TV campaign, Blow That Whistle, Ref.
NSW coach Brad Fittler believes the NRL’s contentious penalty blitz this season may actually help his Blues overcome Queensland in State of Origin this season.
Because, NSW fans say, those rotten Maroons have been jumping off-side for years.
The first barb of Origin has officially been lobbed across the border.
Fox Sports Stats have revealed some incredible penalty numbers.
Overall, there have been 857 penalties issued this year compared to 617 last season.
And when it comes to off-side penalties after six rounds, there have been 228 awarded this season in comparison to just 60 last year.
The unprecedented penalty surge just may favour the Blues, according to Fittler.
“If anyone benefits from the old ruling, in getting off the line quickly, it’s Queensland,” Fittler said.
“Without a doubt, they have done it better than anyone, especially with the reluctance to give penalties (in State of Origin games).
“They have been incredible (at it) with the way the refs have been reffing in the past.”
In one game this season, a whopping 33 penalties were awarded when Melbourne played Cronulla at Southern Cross Group Stadium.
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The amount of penalties have decreased slightly in recent weeks but the old days of two or three penalties being blown in Origin may be long gone.
Fittler thinks the players have learnt and adjusted to the new standards being set by referees.
“The thing I am seeing, and the big change, is the play the ball, when they were moving off the line,” Fittler said.
“The one thing I know is that all the players are all moving off the line later, which they are supposed to do.
“Maybe the refs will drop their tolerance a little bit because they seem to be really keen to give a penalty at the moment.
“Once their tolerance drops a little bit, I think the players are where they are supposed to be.
“I think they are being a little bit ‘picky’ at the moment. I think they have done their job.
“Within another six to eight weeks, I feel like the players will well and truly understand when the right time is to move off the line.”
Fittler stressed low penalty counts doesn’t always guarantee a free-flowing game.
“I don’t think every game where the penalties have been 2-1 has been the best games either,” he said. “It doesn’t necessarily point to the best game because of the least amount of penalties.
“You just need the referees to be in control and understand there is a game out there to be played and to let the players decide the result.
“The refs will get out there and do as good a job as they can.”