NRL: Luck hails proposed ref changes

The NRL is set to change its controversial two-referee system, according to reports in Sydney. Photo / Getty Images

New Zealand Warriors captain Micheal Luck has welcomed reports of changes to the controversial National Rugby League (NRL) two-referee system which could see a solitary whistler control their match against Melbourne on Sunday.

Sydney's Daily Telegraph reported senior referees will be appointed the dominant referee for the entire 80 minutes in five games, including the Warriors' trip to Melbourne, with junior referees playing substantially reduced roles.

Games with two senior referees appointed will operate under the shared two-referee system that has been utilised in the first six rounds but caused ongoing controversy.

"I only know what I've just read. That implies that one ref will be in complete control of our game (Gavin Badger) and there will just be a pocket ref that will watch the play the ball (Brett Suttor)," Luck told Radio Sport.

"I'm all for that. If you've got one guy giving his interpretations of the 10m and the ruck, well it should be pretty consistent the whole game. Hopefully it works so we see more consistency throughout the year."

Luck said he would favour a return to the old system of one referee.

"Then you've only got to listen to one guy and you get one interpretation of every rule. At the moment there's voices coming from everywhere and you're looking to please two refs instead of just one."

NRL referees' boss Robert Finch was reluctant to discuss the issue but did say: "We are looking at fine-tuning the two-referee system all the time.

"Two refs have been a great success. It's only been in 18 months and we had one referee for 100 years. We are always looking at all options available."

But the latest move from Finch raises the question whether the two-referee system has a future in the NRL.

NRL chief operating officer Graham Annesley said the league would back any moves by Finch to "fine-tune" the system.

The shared two-referee system is likely to operate on the Canterbury-Brisbane, North Queensland-Parramatta and Souths-Canberra games, the Telegraph reported.

The one dominant referee role is likely to be implemented in the following games: Penrith-Wests Tigers, Cronulla-Newcastle, St George Illawarra-Sydney Roosters, Melbourne-Warriors and Manly-Gold Coast.

The Warriors were frustrated with Badger's and Suttor's performances in their heavy loss to Penrith last weekend, particularly around slowing the play-the-ball, and coach Ivan Cleary admitted bewilderment the pair would control their match for a second successive week.

He vowed to speak with Finch this week.

"I was a little confused about some aspects of the game last week and, having the same referees, I would certainly want to clear up a couple of things."

Already this week, Ben Cummins and Gerard Sutton have been stood down for their performance in Parramatta's win over South Sydney, which included Cummins incorrectly sinbinning Parramatta and former Kiwis skipper Nathan Cayless.

- NZPA