Off The Record podcast: NRL set to employ full-time Bunker referees to address sin-bin farce

In the wake of a whopping 18 sin-bins in one weekend, the NRL will bring a small group of seasoned whistleblowers into the Bunker full-time to eradicate the inconsistencies from video referees. OFF THE RECORD PODCAST

The NRL will employ Bunker officials fulltime in a desperate bid to end the blazing controversy around players being sin-binned for head-high tackles.

As revealed on the Off The Record podcast, hosted by The Telegraph’s Phil Rothfield and The Australian’s Andrew Webster, the NRL wants to use a small group of seasoned referees to eradicate the inconsistencies from video referees plaguing the game.

Former leading whistleblowers Matt Cecchin and Ben Cummins, both of whom have retired, will be the first approached about joining the Bunker fulltime.

The NRL will employ Bunker officials fulltime in a desperate bid to eradicate the inconsistencies from video referees. Picture: Getty Images

“It’s a story all rugby league fans will be happy,” Rothfield said. “The NRL is taking steps to hire three or four full-time specialists — not current referees – to be Bunker specialists. Refs like Matt Cecchin and Ben Cummins retired and were basically lost to the game.

“They’re the sort of people who will be encouraged to take on the Bunker role. There will be intense training to bring these operators up to speed. We will get more consistency with fewer people making decisions.”

The hottest topic in the game is the Bunker and its heavy-handed approach to sin-bins. A whopping 18 players were dispatched last weekend, prompting outrage from the likes of Immortal Andrew Johns.

Former leading whistleblower Ben Cummins will be one of the first approached about joining the Bunker fulltime. Picture: Getty Images

NRL chief executive Andrew Abdo, who denies there has been a crackdown on high tackles, was forced into a round of media interviews on Monday to allay fears Magic Round will be trashed as it was in 2021.

“They’ve got a major issue with fans losing confidence in the match officiating,” Rothfield said. “It doesn’t matter how much money it costs; something needs to be done. We can’t have another weekend with 18 players sin-binned.”

Webster added: “For a professional code like the NRL it’s been very amateurish. Dedicated Bunker officials will bring consistency. Having people like Cummins and Cecchin involved brings experience that is hard to find.”

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Originally published as Off The Record podcast: NRL set to employ full-time Bunker referees to address sin-bin farce