They often say that the sign of a good referee is if you don’t notice them throughout the game, with the ability to let the game flow without becoming overinvolved the hallmark of the very best referees.
Over the years Super League has had some brilliant men in the middle of the park and whilst they earn respect, they can also be viewed as the pantomime villain.
That’s what has happened down under in the NRL this morning in a game between Brisbane Broncos and Sydney Roosters.
It was a game that pitted second versus twelfth and it was playing out very much like that just ahead of the hour mark with Brisbane leading 20-0 and on the march downfield.
What happened next was something you could expect to see on Question of Sport or You’ve Been Framed as referee Grant Atkins got himself caught in the way of the ball carrier, ending up making what was effectively a try-saving tackle.
Hooker Tyson Smoothy started the move and was on the verge of finishing it when he collected the ball from a smart inside pass five metres out, but standing in his way was referee Atkins who up-ended Smoothy with a tackle that any player would be proud of.
You can see the incident below with the iconic commentary that accompanies it.
Grant Atkins with the try saver! 👀 #NRLBroncosRoosters pic.twitter.com/dTARPcUQp0
— NRL (@NRL) July 27, 2023
Ultimately it didn’t influence the result of the game as the Broncos went on to win by a score of 32-10 and jump into first spot in the NRL with England international Herbie Farnworth getting the scoring underway early on.
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