A host of NRL coaches, including Craig Bellamy and Ricky Stuart, have told head office to bring back the two-referee system next season.
The governing body completed an end-of-season review with all 16 clubs this week, and several high-profile coaches are calling for the ruck to be cleaned up.
Bellamy and Stuart were joined by Des Hasler, Jason Demetriou, Craig Fitzgibbon and Todd Payten in wanting the NRL to return to two on-field officials.
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One coach believes it will even help prevent injuries and concussions, according to The Daily Telegraph.
The two-referee system was introduced in 2009 but got scrapped three years ago due to Covid cost cutting.
Some coaches want a ruck referee without a whistle who would tell the head referee of any indiscretions in the tackle.
“I wouldn’t oppose it going back to two,” Payten said.
Demetriou agreed and added: “If it means the bunker stays out of the game unless it’s try scoring, then yes.”
Stuart and Bellamy approved but Dragons coach Anthony Griffin was not a fan, while Eels coach Brad Arthur was fine either way.
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A coach who wished to remain anonymous elaborated on why it was a smart move to return to two officials.
“Two referees … the number one referee stays on the ruck and the second referee marks the 10 metres. But with two referees, that 10 metres can be interpreted as 13 metres at the start of the game,” he said.
“What that does is bring fatigue into the game and sides can’t afford to put three or four defenders into a tackle because, if they do, that commits too many and they can’t get their defenders back into the line to get the balance.
“With that, there are less injuries and less concussions. It takes out the contact and takes out bigger bodies and concussion and brings back all the little me. Sides have to make a choice.
“By the time players jump and fudge defensively, ten metres in our game is five metres. They are up five to six metres before the dummy half picks up the ball and passes. Keep ‘em 13 or 14 metres apart with a second referee, it’s a wonderful game.”
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