Super League referee Ben Thaler makes curious television appearance in second tier match
4th October 2019, DW Stadium, Wigan, England; Betfred Super League Semi Final, Wigan Warriors v Salford Red Devils : referee Ben Thaler warming up Credit: Mark Cosgrove/News Images
Ben Thaler has earned himself a reputation as one of the leading referees in Super League.
He burst onto the scene with the whistle back in 2001 in the Championship, with Thaler then being promoted to a top flight referee in 2005.
Since then, the Yorkshireman has improved year on year, becoming a consistent figure in the RFL’s thinking in multiple seasons.
However, in the 2022 Super League season, Thaler has been absent with the whistle, instead being listed as reserve referee as well as video referee.
As well as that, Thaler has been put as the man in the middle in Championship games, whilst part-time official Robert Hicks has officiated in all but one Super League round so far.
With Batley Bulldogs hosting Leigh Centurions last night on Premier Sports, it gave the viewers the chance to see Thaler in action once more – and he had a brilliant game.
Of course, Leigh are a Super League side in waiting – alongside Featherstone Rovers – so the experience will not have been that unlike a top flight fixture.
However, it remains to be seen whether Thaler will continue to officiate in the second tier, or he will be given another shot at Super League this weekend.