Leeds Rhinos boss Brad Arthur says it’s pointless having video referees if they don’t get decisions right.
Arthur was speaking after Leeds survived a first half scare to go fourth in Betfred Super League with a 42-6 home win against bottom club Salford Red Devils.
Salford’s points came when video official Marcus Griffiths awarded Ryan Brierley a score from the stand-in stand-off’s own kick. After a forensic examination, Griffiths decided there was clear evidence to overturn referee Liam Rush’s on-field call of ‘no try’.
Both sides were awaiting a Leeds tap restart and the decision was greeted with surprise around the stadium.
Later in the match, Rhinos failed with a captain’s challenge after Rush awarded a penalty against them for an alleged high tackle by James Bentley and Arthur wasn’t impressed by either decision.
The Leeds coach said: “It was no try originally. It was a pretty tough decision to overturn that. We have to get those right because it might cost a team a game.
“I even think the high tackle we challenged with James Bentley, he didn’t make contact with anyone on the head. We have to get those decisions right, otherwise there’s no point having a video ref.”
Leeds Rhinos boss opens on on half-time spray
Rhinos led only 10-6 at half-time before scoring five unanswered tries in a dominant second period.
Arthur admitted he had to tear the paint off the changing room wall – briefly – at the interval, but praised his players for solving their problems themselves.
He said: “It’s the first time all year I have had to give them a bit of a spray and a rocket at half-time.
“I did that for about 30 seconds and then I walked away and left it to them. I am really proud of that, they know what our standards and expectations are, they know the sort of team we want to be and they went out and delivered that in the second half without me having to tell them what was needed. That’s very comforting for me.”
Arthur – whose side came through with no obvious major injuries, felt Leeds were “a bit impatient at times” before the break, but added: “The good thing is we’re sitting here talking about a really strong performance in the second half. I took a gamble and left them to sort it out and they went out and delivered, that was pleasing.”
