It seems that after every Superleague round there are atleast one set of supporters unhappy at a referee's performance. Nothing new there really.

However, most of the gripes I've seen this past couple of years tend to be aimed at the consistency of refereeing, some supporters even accusing referee's of bias.

Is it time to follow the NRL and have two referees for Superleague games? Would this solve the problem? Would having two ref's make for more accurate and consistent decisions?

For those that follow the NRL, would you say the two referee system has worked/failed, and has the game over there changed as a result?

The obvious barrier to bringing this is the cost of employing x amount of new full-time referees, but if SL/RFL had the money available, would you be in favour?

As long as they wear hats.

Everyone should wear hats, or a medallion if your head doesn't allow for hat wearing.

Don't ruin my thread you gormgoose (although I agree that referees should wear hats. Bowler hats would be my preference).

Yes it is. One man can not see what is going on at the ruck and be able to see who is offside at the same time. .....Well I suppose you could but they would need to have eyes that are more boggled then the surgeon who performed my vaesactomy.

Those lightbulb hats from the Olympic closing ceremony would be ace, let's have those.
AND they may assist in seeing better? More light on the subject, as it were.
I'm not sure we need 2 refs. I am sure the ones we have need to be more consistent in their application of the rules, have to be able to count to 5 (not all of them can, seemingly) and the linesmen should be more prepeared to put their flags up for forward passing etc, because they just don't seem d at all. As much as I like the one who looks like a chuckle brother, I'm not sure his eyesight is all that.

I don't think we have the resources, either in terms of finances or personnel, to introduce seven new referees to the super league system. I think it would be helpful, however, if the linesmen were given more responsibility. Given that they position themselves at either end of the defensive line most of the time, they're in a perfect position to take charge of policing offside. This would allow the ref to stand at the play the ball.

Two referees means twice the inconsistency.

All the St Helens games have two referees already, the designated official and Paul Wellens. Wigan have gone a step further by implementing the 3 official ruling, the designated official, Ratboy and Brett Finch. It's not helped Wigan much recently, and Mike Rush still wasn't happy after Sundays defeat depite having Thierry Alibert, 2 touch judges, 2 in goal officials AND Paul Wellens. Some people eh ?

yes, but they don't have Gary and Kevin, do they?

Notice you cleverly chose to exclude the main culprit in SL for refereeing and playing the game in Mr Sinfield though??



As for 2 referees, I think it is the next step, although at the moment there arent enough good referees to cover 1 per game let alone 2. I think the RFL need to further invest in developing referees if they are going to have 2 per game. Maybe even employing enough full time referees so that any underperforming referees are demoted to the championship could be a good start?

Two referees are old-hat. Down under they're considering coaches challenges, and introducing it in the Toyota Cup next year I believe. Coach gets a few opportunities a game to challenge a referee decision(or non decision, ie something a ref missing in play), with referees looking at replays in the same way they would a possible try. Similar to what they've got in NFL and other sports.

Maybe we'll see it in the SL in 5 years

Or Adam Pearson and Peter Gentle !