Wests Tigers CEO Shane Richardson has made the stunning claim that referees have an inherent bias against the NRL’s struggling teams.
Tigers coach Benji Marshall was very critical of the refereeing in his side’s 18-14 loss to the Panthers in Round 14.
Marshall’s stance was echoed by Richardson on the Tigers’ Behind The Roar podcast.
“I thought there were some pretty ordinary refereeing decisions (in the Panthers game) that certainly had an effect on us,” Richardson said on the Tigers’ Behind The Roar podcast.
“I’ve learned over the years, though, that refereeing decisions never really go your way when you’re battling up the ladder.
“For some reason referees — and they’re humans — they feel that the better teams are going to make better mistakes, less mistakes, when really that’s not the case. But it is what it is.”
“You’ve got to become one of the better teams to get some more of the rub of the green.”
For the record the Broncos (6.2 per game) are the most penalised team in the league closely followed by the Raiders and Storm (6.0), who both sit the top four.
The Tigers, who concede on average 5.8 penalties per game, rank tied fourth with four other teams.
Marshall took issue with two key penalties against captain Jarome Luai that turned the game in the Panthers’ favour after it was 10-10 in the second half.
“The game is so hard and demanding and I actually feel sorry for our players because they didn’t actually get to decide tonight,” Marshall said.
“I thought two calls, the first one on Jarome, on last, making a tackle. I thought it was outrageous. That decision took them to 12-10.
“And the second one, he got done for an escort, which I thought was bad too. And then they scored off the back of that set. Just let them decide. Let them play.
“The game is actually hard enough. So I’m proud of our boys and proud of the effort. And we’ll keep fighting and turning up like that the way we did tonight and keep improving.”
Marshall was pressed on whether it was the wrong call or protection on kickers gone too far.
“It was a wrong call,” Marshall said.
“I agree with protecting the kickers, but he didn’t take his legs out. They didn’t put him in a dangerous position. It was simultaneous when he kicked it and he made contact there. Like, that’s not a penalty.
“I’m all for protecting kickers. Don’t get me wrong. OK, I just I thought it was the wrong call. And I thought it actually cost us because we’re in a cycle there where they got field position, kicked the goal, got the ball back, went down, got a penalty and then scored, so anyway, I’ve had my rant.”
However, the NRL reviewed the incidents and determined the correct decisions had been made.
“It’s clear from the vision that Jarome Luai props on his left foot and turns his back to initiate contact with Liam Martin,” NRL head of football Graham Annesley said.
“Regarding the contact on kicker Blaize Talagi, the rules are very clear, and have been reinforced with clubs on multiple occasions over recent seasons.
“It’s clear from the vision that Jarome Luai props on his left foot and turns his back to initiate contact with Liam Martin,” NRL head of football Graham Annesley said.
“Regarding the contact on kicker Blaize Talagi, the rules are very clear, and have been reinforced with clubs on multiple occasions over recent seasons.”
Despite the Tigers being in 13th position, Richardson was happy with the club’s progress.
“I’m very, very comfortable, not with 5-8 (their record), neither would you be as fans and members, but the reality is that, as a team, we’re improving all the time,” Richardson said.
