Former referee Tim Mander angry at criticims of referees boss Bill Harrigan

FORMER top whistle-blower Tim Mander has launched a savage attack on the disgruntled minority moving to have referees Bill Harrigan sacked.

BILL Harrigan is set to survive an ARL Commission investigation as former top whistle-blower Tim Mander yesterday launched a savage attack on the disgruntled minority moving to have the referees boss sacked.

Harrigan and co-coach Stuart Raper have been interviewed by ARLC operations chief Nathan McGuirk, who began a probe into the officiating ranks after two NRL referees, Luke Phillips and Ashley Klein, formally expressed concerns about the referees boss with ARLC chief executive David Gallop.

Test great Brad Fittler, who accompanied his former Roosters teammate Phillips to the initial meeting, said on Friday he was told by referees a culture of "laziness" had infected the whistleblowing fraternity.

McGuirk is expected to present findings to Gallop this week. But it is believed Harrigan has overwhelming backing to avoid the axe, with at least 50 of an estimated 55 refereeing employees expressing their support for the decorated ex-official.

Harrigan declined to comment yesterday but has been left devastated by the saga, particularly as former Roosters fullback Phillips has been mentored by Harrigan and was handed an NRL refereeing debut on his watch.

While Klein and Phillips are the chief agitators, it has emerged a third member of the refereeing fraternity has also attempted to cultivate anti-Harrigan sentiment.

Mander, now a Queensland MP, worked alongside Harrigan and expressed dismay at suggestions the referees boss had lost the support of his staff.

"The complaints against Bill are simply laughable and it's a pathetic attempt to undermine the stability of the referee ranks," said Mander, who retired after controlling the 2005 NRL grand final.

"I don't normally like to comment publicly, but this has angered me.

"This issue has caused enormous angst among the bulk of the referees because the truth is they are happy with Bill and Stuart Raper. It's not 90 per cent of referees behind Bill, it's closer to 98 per cent.

"Most of the referees can't be happier with Bill, but unfortunately there are one or two blokes who think they should be getting a better reward than they are.

"The only people who have an issue with Bill have an agenda, they are trying to undermine him. It's an injustice because Bill and Stuart are doing a brilliant job."

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