“Poor from Kendall” – Ex-Super League ref criticises crucial Leeds Rhinos decision

Former Super League referee Richard Silverwood has criticised a major decision made by Chris Kendall in the Magic Weekend clash between Warrington Wolves and Leeds Rhinos.

The decision in question saw referee Chris Kendall show Leeds Rhinos winger David Fusitu’a a yellow card for a professional foul with the official deeming that the winger ‘denied a try-scoring opportunity’.

It was a sin bin that Sky Sports commentator Jon Wells labelled as “very costly” with the Rhinos conceding two tries during the period that Fusitu’a was off the field, one of which came on the immediate play after.

The incident that saw Fusitu’a sent to the bin came in the 50th minute when he tackled Warrington’s Matty Ashton off the ball as the pair chased a bouncing ball.

Referee Chris Kendall asked for video referee Tom Grant to look at the incident with the possibility that a penalty try could be awarded but when Grant refused that, Kendall flashed the yellow card.

He’s now come in for criticism for former official Richard Silverwood.

Posting on X, Silverwood said: “Poor from Kendall there. Looking straight at it. Ball bounces past Ashton. It’s just a penalty for tackled off the ball. It’s not a professional foul at all in my opinion. Just give the penalty for god sake. Why refer?”

Poor from Kendall there. Looking straight at it. Ball bounces past Ashton. It’s just a penalty for tackled off the ball. It’s not a professional foul at all in my opinion. Just give the penalty for god sake. Why refer?

— Richard Silverwood (@SilversRef) August 17, 2024

Whilst Fusitu’a certainly tackled Ashton off the ball, it did appear that the ball was bouncing out of play and away from Matty Ashton hence there was no penalty try awarded.

Silverwood officiated 411 Super League games with his last coming in 2016 and he now regularly comments on the sport, including officiating decisions, from his public profile on social media.

The two tries that Warrington scored during the time Leeds Rhinos were down to 12 saw Warrington stretch out to an 18-0 lead with Jon Wells suggesting that the “costly” sin bin had perhaps ended any hopes of the Rhinos making the playoffs.