Nov 1st, 2017

Nov 1st, 2017

Controversial Tony Archer is set to stand down as head of referees, with former ref Bernard Sutton poised to step into the hot seat.

Archer, who has been widely criticised for the problems in officiating in recent years, will step up into a new role - National director of referees

That will leave Sutton, a former ref and video official, to take over the day to day running of the referees.

NRL boss Todd Greenberg is expected to announce the changes in coming days.

Archer handled over 300 games between 1999 and 2012 before taking over as referees boss in 2014.

He oversaw the introduction of the controversial bunker the season before last and has been widely criticised by commentators and former players for the direction he has taken the referees.