And on performances in this tournament Mark Cecchin fulfills neither criteria!

I want a referee that is preferably neutral but more importantly is familiar with and has experience of refereeing to the International Rules.....again Mark Cecchin fulfills none of these criteria!

So just what justification other than pandering to the moans of the Aussies can be given for his appointment?

Let's not forget the infringement that plagues the NRL - hands and knees in at the ptb.

Can't see Cechin producing quite such a patriotic performance as Archer (although, in fairness, to do so would be quite difficult.)

Just can't understand why the Aussies are so determined to rob International RL of any credibility. Are there any other sports that don't use neutral referees for internationals?

regardless of any bias, having an Aussie ref the game when the Aussies are playing gives a perception of bias.

a big 50/50 decision with 30seconds to go in a drawn game, if it goes to Australia he is biased and giving a decision based on his nationality, if he gives it the other way he is overcompensating. Either way the motives for giving a decision are question and that is a question that wouldnt be asked with a neutral referee.

On the on report aspect, i dont understand why 'on report' means "i didnt see it properly, refer to disciplinary to look at it again and recommend what punishment if any should be given" and not "I didnt see it properly, refer it to the fully trained and accredited referee sat in the stands with access to multiple tv angles which are instantly available, lets take 2 minutes for our fully trained and accredited referee sat in the stands to look at it again and recommend what punishment if any should be given"

How any one can argue that this didn't warrant a red card when the disciplinary board then subsequently gave Williams a one match suspension for intentional foul play, is beyond me! It was a straight red and the disciplinary board effectivley back that up with a decision to suspend. Had he been sent off, as he should have been, then he might have got sending off sufficient.

As for the, their is a bit more lee-way given in test matches, well tell that to Morley and Edwards, who quite rightly saw red for similar offences in test matches.

The report system is no longer fit for purpose in televised matches and ref's are able to opt out of making big decisions and we saw both Cecchin and Perenara do exactly that, for offences that lead to the disciplinary board handing out suspensions totalling 4 matches! Also, both Luke & Smith decided to drop their appeals... a wise move given that NRL allow them to treat pre-season games as part of an suspension.

As I said before, in a short series such as this then ref's need to be forced to make decisions, by removing the report system or remove the report system and use the video if they feel unsighted in respect of foul play.