Jul 23rd, 2018

Jul 23rd, 2018

NRL CEO Todd Greenberg has instructed referees to lift their game or pay the price in the wake of the egregious officiating that headlined the Canberra Raiders clash against the Cronulla Sharks on Friday night.

The issue of refereeing was once again the hot topic across the league this week after Sione Katoa’s highly controversial try was allowed to stand, galvanising fans and experts to call for heads.

Greenberg claimed that message had been heard loud and clear and stressed officials would be held responsible.

“Frustrated, really frustrated - we should be getting those decisions right,” Greenberg told Nine’s Danny Weidler.

(AAP)

“They impact games, they impact livelihoods and we’ve got to get better.

“You can take it as read that tomorrow’s appointments will reflect that disappointment, there has to be accountability.

“You can expect there will be accountability taken tomorrow.”

Greenberg also defused speculation of nepotism across the refereeing ranks concerning Referee Boss Bernard Sutton and the weekly appointment of his brother Gerard Sutton.

Bunker awards controversial Sharks try

“I hear that nepotism word what I can tell you on the inside probably the person hardest on his brother is the coach.

Greenberg also took the time to shoot down suggestions that referees had lost their grasp over matches in the face conflicting messages and technology leading to a complete breakdown of game-judgement.

“I don’t think that’s the case, nor are they confused on match day – the reality is the head referee owns that space

“It's certainly not time to blow up the bunker, technology is here, it’s in every sport, the challenge we have is the human element running the technology.

Phil Gould and James Bracey talk Luke Lewis' retirement, the NRL coming to terms with full time professionalism and Wally Lewis Medal controversy. All this and more on another awesome episode of Six Tackles With Gus.