Top official Ben Thaler says British game was right to only ever have one referee

ELEVEN years after deciding two heads are better than one, Australia’s NRL has performed a 
U-turn.
Picture by Alex Whitehead/SWpix.com - 13/09/2018 - Rugby League - Betfred Super League, Super 8s - Castleford Tigers v Huddersfield Giants - Mend-a-Hose Jungle, Castleford, England - Referee Ben Thaler.Picture by Alex Whitehead/SWpix.com - 13/09/2018 - Rugby League - Betfred Super League, Super 8s - Castleford Tigers v Huddersfield Giants - Mend-a-Hose Jungle, Castleford, England - Referee Ben Thaler.
Picture by Alex Whitehead/SWpix.com - 13/09/2018 - Rugby League - Betfred Super League, Super 8s - Castleford Tigers v Huddersfield Giants - Mend-a-Hose Jungle, Castleford, England - Referee Ben Thaler.

ELEVEN years after deciding two heads are better than one, Australia’s NRL has performed a 
U-turn.

Having used two referees for matches since the 2009 season, including the opening two rounds this year, the southern hemisphere competition resumed last weekend with just one, to generally positive reviews.

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The move brings the NRL back in line with the sport at international level and the club game elsewhere and has been welcomed by leading Super League official Ben Thaler.

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - OCTOBER 06: Josh Hodgson of the Raiders is tackled during the 2019 NRL Grand Final match between the Canberra Raiders and the Sydney Roosters at ANZ Stadium on October 06, 2019 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Jason McCawley/Getty Images)SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - OCTOBER 06: Josh Hodgson of the Raiders is tackled during the 2019 NRL Grand Final match between the Canberra Raiders and the Sydney Roosters at ANZ Stadium on October 06, 2019 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Jason McCawley/Getty Images)
SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - OCTOBER 06: Josh Hodgson of the Raiders is tackled during the 2019 NRL Grand Final match between the Canberra Raiders and the Sydney Roosters at ANZ Stadium on October 06, 2019 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Jason McCawley/Getty Images)

The Wakefield whistle blower, who took charge of the 2015 Challenge Cup decider and Super League Grand Final, feels Super League’s decision not to follow Australia’s lead has been vindicated.

The northern hemisphere competition had been preparing to move to a dual-referee system in 2020, but the plan was scrapped 15 months ago.

“A lot of Super League coaches come from the NRL and there’s been no massive push from them for two referees,” said Thaler.

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“The fact the Aussies are going back to one shows we were right not to go down that line.

“International is one referee as well.

“One ref shows people have the skill to referee on their own.

“The only thing another referee helps with is having another pair of eyes on the field, it does not quicken it up.”

Thaler was suspended by the RFL earlier this year, but reinstated after an investigation cleared him of wrongdoing and will be back in charge of matches when Super League returns.

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“I am not a fan of two refs,” added the 38-year-old, who has been a grade one official since 2001.

“I don’t think it works and good on them for going back to one referee.

“I think two referees is far too robotic and I think there’s a lack of consistency in the way things are done.”

Though the league got underway before the Covid-19 shutdown, NRL referees have been enforcing a new rule since the resumption with the tackle count being restarted, rather than a penalty awarded, following infringements around the ruck.

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“It would be a massive change to bring in a quarter of the way through the season,” said Thaler of the prospect of Super League following suit. “Players and officials have got to get used to it.

“We can’t just copy what they do, but what we can do is see if it works and if it does I am sure the laws committee will see if it’s worthy of bringing in over here.

“It is like a free trial for us - we can watch it and see what it’s like.”

Meanwhile, Thaler has praised the Rugby Football League (RFL) for the way referees have been treated since the sport in this country was suspended in March.

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All full-time officials have been placed on furlough until the end of June, but Thaler insisted: “I think we are in a strong position because of the way the RFL has communicated with us, led by [head of match officials] Steve Ganson.

“We have meetings online, to say what our thoughts have been on things.

“All the RFL staff have been consulted and part-time match officials as well.”

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