Friday night marked a massive landmark for one Super League veteran.
No this wasn’t a player but instead official Rob Hicks. As he ran the line during Wigan’s 60-0 win over Hull FC, Hicks was making his 300th appearance as an official in Super League.
Referees are often given stick by supporters, coaches and players largely due to how much this game means to people but yesterday people came together to thank this official for his role in Super League after all without referees we can’t have a game at all.
Both Wigan and Hull celebrated the occasion with Hicks with a special memento given to him presented by Wigan skipper Thomas Leuluai.
After the game Hicks took to Twitter to express his gratitude saying: “Well that’s #300 done and dusted. Would just like to thank both to Wigan Warriors and to Hull FC for the way they marked the milestone. I’m truly humbled. Thank you.”
Well that's #300 done and dusted. Would just like to thank both @WiganWarriorsRL and @hullfcofficial for the way they marked the milestone. I'm truly humbled. Thank you #respect #greatestgame pic.twitter.com/0J57E7qxNE
— Rob Hicks (@Rob_hicks81) July 15, 2022
It would prove to be a historic game for his 300th as Bevan French broke Super League’s record for tries in a game with seven in the 60-0 demolition of Hull FC who oddly the former record holder Lesley Vainikolo scored six against in 2005.
It was a bit of a shame that he wasn’t the man in the middle for the game but instead ran the line perhaps because of the controversy he was a part of last week disallowing a potential equaliser in the Hull derby for Elliot Minchella.
However, it’s more likely that it was simply because of his new wider role which ensures he’s just a part time referee and exists to support younger officials.
