Ex-Super League referee Richard Silverwood has taken to social media to outline what he believes is a solution to stop ‘play acting’. It comes after the controversy in Friday night’s top of the table clash between Wigan Warriors and Hull KR, a game the Cherry and Whites won to move to within touching distance of the League Leaders’ Shield.
While referee Jack Smith’s decision to show Joe Burgess a yellow card for a flop in the first half of the contest raised eyebrows, it wasn’t as controversial of the second sin-bin Hull KR were handed, with Jai Whitbread being penalised for a high shot on Tyler Dupree. The offence wasn’t initially picked up by Smith, but with Dupree staying down, the stoppage in play gave the video referee the opportunity to assess the incident.
Dupree returned to his feet and was allowed to play on without leaving the field for a head injury assessment but before play resumed, Whitbread was shown a yellow card. That decision proved costly, too, with Wigan scoring the decisive tries needed to secure the win while KR were reduced to 12 men.
It’s something Willie Peters and the Sky Sports punditry team commented on after the game, with the Rovers boss believing such decisions cost his side the result in Greater Manchester.
That notion has been debated by the rugby league community since but Silverwood, who spent 15 years refereeing in the Super League before stepping away in 2016, believes placing more trust in the on-field official’s judgement might just eliminate such cases down the line.
“Great game of rugby but sick and tired of seeing players stay down after the slightest contact. Should make it that unless referee blows instantly then the most you can get if he doesn’t its on report maximum,” he tweeted after the game.
He added in a reply: “Trust me, as a referee 9/10 you sense a serious tackle and potential red card. It should be left with on field officials. Unless you blow for a penalty and which point VR can then review then it’s ON REPORT maximum. Would stop play acting.”
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Anonymous
September 8, 2024 at 5:16 pm
Silverwood is spot on. Seems like the vast neutral supporters, Game pundits, ex-players and a growing number of coaches with the exception of Wigan fans agree that there is a growing amount of cheating going on during games by players attempting to get players sent off. The problem is that referees are gullible enough to fall for it and the RL are burying their heads in the sand regarding doing something about it.
Colin Baker
September 8, 2024 at 5:55 pm
Gullible referees that’s the issue here and favoring teams.
Denis Appleton
September 8, 2024 at 8:07 pm
Watched NRL this morning and Ashley Klein sent a player for a head assessment needs to be done in super league