Leading referee Jared Maxwell has called on the NRL to seriously consider introducing the ‘captain’s challenge’ call for next season in the wake of the seven-tackle try controversy that rocked the 2013 finals.
The captain’s challenge, where skippers are allowed one correct challenge on a referee’s call per half, was successfully trialled in the Under-20s competition, the Holden Cup, this year.
The challenge spared the referees a number of game-changing blemishes during the Holden Cup finals and could have saved the NRL the embarrassment of the seven-tackle try scored by Cronulla in their elimination final win over North Queensland.
It was the second straight year the Cowboys have been dudded during the playoffs and as the referees began their pre-season training on Monday, Maxwell said the captain’s challenge could be a worthy innovation in the top grade for the 2014 season.
“The captain’s call was tried successfully in the Under-20s and it certainly showed its worth during the final series there,” Maxwell said.
“It is something that will be decided by the competition committee but it is definitely worth considering.
“The game as a whole needs to embrace any change that can help it improve the level of refereeing.
“There is such little difference between the top teams and the bottom teams these days that every decision counts.
“Anything that can improve the level of officiating should be investigated.”
Referees Henry Perenara and Matt Cecchin were not seen again after overseeing an eighth-minute try to Sharks winger Beau Ryan on the seventh tackle in Cronulla’s 20-18 win over the Cowboys in the first week of the finals.
In week two of the Holden Cup finals, Wests Tigers’ 26-22 win over Brisbane was only upheld after the Tigers correctly challenged a referee’s ruling.
It is an option not yet available in the NRL but one that could have saved the Cowboys.
“We made some good inroads last year, especially in regard to video refereeing and we want to build on that momentum,” Maxwell said.
“But we know we had a few issues at the end of last season and we know we need to improve on that for next year.”
