NRL aims to eliminate wrestling and will save $3 million in process
Rugby league boss Peter V’landys is determined to eliminate the “biggest blight on the game” but according a former top referee the game must go even further to eliminate wrestling.
NRL
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Former top whistle blower Greg McCallum has backed the NRL’s move to return to one referee but warns it should be in conjunction with a five-minute sin bin, not the proposed six again call.
McCallum also wants the NRL to give the refs “some balls” and “back the referee to be strong”.
As debate rages from coaches that the game will open itself up for more ugly wrestling tactics if the NRL pushes forward with one referee, McCallum agreed with ARL Commission chairman Peter V’landys that more than 10 years of playing under two refs hadn’t stopped the wrestle.
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“Whatever they decide to go with you are going to have to give the referees some balls out there,” McCallum said.
“You have to back the referee to be strong and the play the ball is just one aspect of it.
“I want to see the power given back to the ref, absolutely.
“I agree with going back to one referee.
“If you have got an effective bunker and you have a captain’s challenge and all of these other things that are in the game, then you only need one referee.
“Having more than one referee is counter-productive.
“I just think it confuses people. It confuses players, it confuses fans watching the game and I think it confuses the referees on the field too.
“It was interesting listening to Bill Harrigan speak because Bill was fundamental in getting two referees going.
“And even he says now that one referee is the way to go.”
However McCallum warns a five-minute sin bin instead of the six again call would give the on field referee far greater power, and be less likely to blow up in the NRL’s face.
“I am in big favour of going back to one ref and give them some ammunition but don’t give them a machine gun,” he warned.
“And to me this six to go thing will cause problems.
“It is too much pressure on referees.
“I think it is starting to take away from what the game is about, that if an infringement takes place it needs to be dealt with.
“It is an exciting prospect but fraught with danger.
“I think the introduction of a five-minute sin bin would fix it quick smart.
“You don’t want the refs to be accused after the game of piggy backing teams down the field. I think that is a big danger.
“Just from experience I would preach caution.
“You might be opening up something you don’t really want.
“But to me the five-minute sin bin goes hand in glove with one referee.
“It will fix the problem without it having a massive impact on the game.”
In respect to the six again call McCallum explained that “it is easy to get caught up in the excitement of it, even as a referee.
“Having the team on the attack, it is too easy to fall into a trap,” he said.
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“Rugby league is different to rugby union in that each infringement in rugby league, unless there is an advantage, gets dealt with.
“Whereas in rugby union you get this rolling down the field and it just continues on.
“Is that really what rugby league is about? You’re creating an advantage all the time whereas in the pure spirit of the rule the advantage occurs.”
Originally published as NRL aims to eliminate wrestling and will save $3 million in process