Precisely, well said Paul.

It was like that with Klein to be honest and I know why.

Being a top team is all about taking the rough with the smooth and sticking to a successful game plan.

I am confident that Warrington are a team with such quality that even where referees do focus on different aspects of a game (which is arguable that they do), we will be able to produce the goods.

I think people do have an argument that for a game of this calibre, the most qualified/ experienced referee should have been selected as they are for Grand Finals etc, as it is going to be a nationwide showcase for our game. However even this argument is countered by the consideration that as independent mediators, it is unfair to cherry pick certain officials for particular LEAGUE games.


Out of interest does anyone know if in theory all officials are meant to officiate the same or a similar number of games (barring unpredictable events such as injury), or are there some referees who get more league games than others?

Good post.

All that I'm aware of is that referees are picked on how they perform the week before, the ref that performs the best will get the biggest game.

Thanks Wire_74.

Oh right I wasn't aware of that, it seems an interesting way to pick referees but I suppose there is logic in there somewhere.

I think Cummings has publicly gone out and said this, but I'm not sure, I have definitley read it somewhere.

You would think that referees are distributed as evenly as possible across all teams within reason to ensure that certain teams can't accuse referees of being biased against them or having a "style" which clashes with their own game plan.

There are obviously implications to this plan, namely that it undermines the idea that all referees should ultimately be the same anyway.

Again just out of interest, does Alibert referee more Catalan games than other referees or does the fact that he is French count for nothing?

i never hear people talk about ref's in the wendyball game like this,do people really think that proffesional ref,s can really be biased against a team or are people just basing it on results of games we lost with certain referees,thats what i think for what its worth,as someone as said its down more to how the player,s perform on the day.

Gutted to hear Silverwood has this gig..I have NEVER repeat NEVER seen this guy handle a high profile game well....

I think we all do

Not at all althout not too sure who Daniel Potter is, guess you mean Mick Potter. These coaches and others make comments about refereeing performances after a game where a refereeing mistake may have appeared to influenced a game. Mistakes happen and if any one of those can hold their hands up to say they have never selected an unfit player or made a signing that's backfired I'd be amazed. Anderson & Millward were/are also adept at the pre-match psychology where they attempt to pressurise a referee by highlighting the opposition's perceived weaknesses, part of the game.

To continue to suggest that a referee is biased against particular clubs is small-minded and verging on libelous to question their professional integrity.

So when do you take your refereeing exams?

Guess I'm small minded and best check with my lawyer about conflicts of interest with Richard Silverwood then.

I'm not taking any refereeing exams primarily because I have a life: when are you taking yours?

Have a listen to Fergie or Benitez.

We need to win despite the ref

imagine getting to a GF then seeing the ref and thinking 'what's the point'

Winning mentality and a winning team can win despite all this

What's everyone's view on Phil Bentham as a referee? Didn't he have a good game on Sunday?

Would it be better to have Bentham or Ganson ref Wires V Saints?

Or would Silverwood, Thaler or Alibert be better? Or Smith?!!