Forcing referees to explain decisions would prove unfair

I’ve now nearly finished my RFL role as Match Officials Director and it’s probably the right time to move on to something new.

A few Super League coaches have been in touch to wish me well but, significantly, a few others haven’t...

We’ve known each other a long time and don’t always agree, but we’ve had a professional relationship and are all just trying to improve the game.

As for any amusing anecdotes I could tell, I don’t really do amusing, but there’s a lot I can’t really mention – and many involving Steve Ganson!

But when it comes to highlights it’s just seemed like one constant slog, with one thing after another.

I was, though, lucky enough to ref when Ellery Hanley was playing. He was always a true gentleman on the field. It was always reported he was in your ear all the time, but that was never true; he simply agreed with what you were actually saying.

Watching Sean Long at the age of 14 and then develop into one of the biggest characters in the game has been a pleasure, too.

Seeing so many different referees take charge of major games since I took over in 2003 has been great as well.

Before, it just seemed to be me and Russell (Smith) doing all the big fixtures, but there’s been seven different refs doing Grand Finals and Challenge Cups since I took charge.

Starting up full-time referees was a major achievement, getting them to operate in a certain way.

They all work extremely hard and probably don’t get the credit they deserve – there’s a lot of work behind the scenes reviewing and previewing material – but the game is totally different to when I refereed. A few months ago I was looking back at some footage from 2003 and it is so much more technical now with everything players and coaches are doing

The way they work to delay the play-of-the-ball can make it very difficult for referees who have to work extremely hard to keep on top of that. People are putting a lot of players through the line now with different options and dummy runners which also makes it challenging for officials.

People say refs should be forced to face the press after games, like coaches do and players, too, but I think that would be very unfair.

During the game they are concentrating on what they are doing, making a decision – whether it be a pass is okay or a big, major call – and then forgetting about it.

They have to go through the process and move on. If they were interviewed straight after they probably couldn’t even remember the incident a reporter would be referring to. Not many people will understand that, but it’s a fact.

The press would then just think he was being evasive and it would all result in negative coverage, which is no use to anyone.

(RFL CEO) Nigel Wood said given the intense scrutiny referees face, I’ve fulfilled the “hardest job in rugby league”, but I’d say it’s just what I’m used to.

The challenge is getting more people through as it is very difficult attracting people to it.

It is a great experience, though, and being in the middle of all those players truly is the best seat in the house.

It’s a good way to earn a living and bring discipline into your life, but it’s not everyone’s cup of tea and the abuse officials get makes it even harder.

As long as people can say whatever they want to referees, a lot of unjustified stuff, then that will simply carry on.

Interview by Dave Craven