Former Super League ref poses key question after Leeds Rhinos’ loss to Warrington Wolves

A former Super League referee has asked a key question about the sport after Leeds Rhinos’ loss to Warrington Wolves on Friday night.

Brad Arthur’s side lost 16-14 in what was Super League’s 5,000th game, a match that was shrouded in elements of controversy regarding the officiating.

Arthur would speak out about the referee post-match stating that he should “complain more and whinge”, whilst Sam Burgess confirmed that he spoke with Tom Grant at half time to question some first-half decisions.

Leeds’ Keenan Palasia would also be sin-binned late on with Warrington scoring the match-winning try whilst the Rhinos were down to 12 with the game clock then running out as Leeds attempted to pack a scrum.

That sin bin decision was one of many that was questioned by fans of both clubs, neutrals, and even one former Super League referee with Richard Silverwood taking to social media to state his belief that two big calls went the wrong way.

Former Super League ref poses key question after Leeds Rhinos’ loss to Warrington Wolves

Silverwood, who officiated over 400 Super League games, took to X to post: “Big big call on the sin bin. Never a sin bin IMO and changed the game. Forward pass for Leeds first try so probably just the right result on reflection.”

In that tweet, Silverwood touched on two of the key matters that each head coach spoke about with Arthur having referenced Palasia’s sin bin and Burgess confirming the had spoken with referee Tom Grant about forward passes.

On Palasia’s yellow card, Arthur told Sky Sports: “I’ve seen plenty of those already in five, six rounds in so maybe as a coach I need to complain more and whinge about the referee,” however, he confirmed the club would not lodge an official complaint.

As for Burgess, who met with Grant at half-time in the tunnel, he said: “I just asked about a couple of forward passes which I thought were pretty obvious, at really important times.

“I just wanted to know if he thought they were forward at all. I know referees have got a tough job, but they were pretty important calls – and he has got two touch judges as well – so I wanted to know what was going on there.

“I felt like I had to ask that question. I wanted to know if I was seeing some different things. It was done in a good manner.”

Fans, players, and coaches alike understand the tough test that referees face, especially in high intensity games, and that was something Silverwood would also post on social media about, particularly regarding young referees.

He posted: “Tonight is a perfect example of how do you give young referees experience? Tom Grant had a poor game and you could question why he was given such a game however the so called top referees can’t do all games. Its sink or swim and a lot of pressure on young referees.”

Grant first officiated in 2017 and has taken charge of 90 games in the competition but Silverwood’s point about bedding in the next generation and younger officials still stands true, particularly when so much scrutiny is put on the official.

Tonight is a perfect example of how do you give young referees experience? Tom Grant had a poor game and you could question why he was given such a game however the so called top referees can’t do all games. Its sink or swim and a lot of pressure on young referees

— Richard Silverwood (@SilversRef) March 28, 2025