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Two Referee System - Bosko's View
 by
Sunday January 02, 2005
On the surface the idea of having two referees that interchange throughout a rugby league game appears fantastic. From what I can gather, a referee will be given a rest from the game when there is an appropriate opportunity. A less experienced referee will then come into the game and control the match until the senior referee is ready and the opportunity permits. Apparently it’s not so much the physical toll of the game that will force a referee to interchange, but the mental toll that the game is having on them. Call me a ‘traditionalist’ but the idea of two referees running a game doesn’t sit well with many fans including myself.
One problem that may arise by having two referees controlling the game is how each referee interprets the rules. Different interpretation between the referees could affect the way the game is played. The first referee might afford a larger ten meters then the interchange referee. Therefore, the game could be played in an attacking fashion for thirty minutes, but when the interchange referee comes on, he may only set an eight meter defensive line, forcing both teams to adjust. The second referee may also allow the tackler to hold down the attacking player longer, enabling teams like the roosters to capitalize on the shorter line and longer ruck competition.
The second problem that may arise is when will these interchanges occur? What is deemed an appropriate opportunity? When a try is scored? Or when there is an injury or player interchange? Will the players on one team try and affect the referee mentally to force him to interchange to a more favored official. How will the junior or less experienced referee handle a hostile situation? The goal for the senior referee is to set the “flow” of the game, then hand it over to the less experienced referee. My thinking is that this handover time may be the most important part in the half. It might be five to ten minutes before half-time, where each team is trying to score that vital try that puts them in-front for the second half.
I would like to point out that the “referee interchange system” is just a trial, and that I think it’s important that the NRL is giving fantastic opportunities and experience to junior referees. I just hope it doesn’t cost my beloved Broncos two vital competition points against the Parramatta Eels in the round five clash at Suncorp Stadium this season. I would’ve liked to have seen the NRL test the system in the trials, but I’m glad it will be monitored and evaluated every week for the first five rounds of the 2005 season.
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