Re: Super League to introduce 2 refs : Thu Nov 20, 2014 11:13 pm  

Vespid_Wire wrote:

"The NRL is set to send an envoy to England in coming weeks – to help the Brits adapt to the two-referee system. I’m hearing leading ref Alan Shortall will make the trip to allow the Brits to use the same system as Australia, which will also see two refs handling international games – despite the fact many prefer the old way with just one whistle-blower in the middle." - RL Mole

Thoughts if true?

Well since Alan Shortall is nowhere near a leading referee in the NRL, I will take this with a punch of salt. And anyway, the RFL have already said the 2 ref system does have it's merits, but they haven't decided yet and any implementation won't take place till after 2016.

At the moment, they don't have the pool of ref's to warrant a 2 ref system in Super League. You have the main SL refs like Thaler, Bentham, Hicks, Silverwood, Roby, Child......and then you have the refs on the fringes who have refereed SL games this season such as Stokes, Thomason, Leatherbarrow.

Down in the lower leagues you have referees with SL experience like Jamie Leahy and Gareth Hewer, but yet you have referees like Dave Merrick, Jamie Bloem, Joe Cobb, Peter Brooke who haven't refereed Super League. Merrick has been doing it for years. Will these guys allowed to be stepped up, or will the RFL bring over referees from Australia and fast track them over the guys that referee in the Championship and Championship 1?

Re: Super League to introduce 2 refs : Sun Nov 23, 2014 1:11 am  

How does it work in the NRL?

Is there a senior and a junior ref or are the duties shared during the course of the game?

On one hand, if it's the former, then it's a good idea as it allows good experience for young refs who can participate in a game without having to take all the pressure by themselves. But on the other hand I think the tackle will be scrutinised and the penalty count will go through the roof. Generally I find games with a low penalty count to be more open and even.