Mannering happy with one referee
Kiwis veteran Simon Mannering believes having one referee in charge of matches will make things easier for players throughout the Rugby League World Cup.
The 14- team tournament is being played under international rules with just one match official controlling games rather than the two used in the NRL since 2009.
Mannering is looking forward to having a lone voice in the Kiwis’ tournament opener against Samoa tonight at Mt Smart Stadium in Auckland.
He expects it will provide better consistency with rule interpretations, particularly around the 10 metre gap and the speed of the play- the- ball.
“We’ve had two refs for a while now [ in the NRL] but I enjoy one ref,” said Mannering.
“Not necessarily that the game is ruled differently, just there’s no grey area between what one ref is saying and what the other ref is saying.
“With just one officiator out there the buck stops with him, so I find it a lot simpler and easier to deal with for sure.”
The two referee system was originally introduced to help combat the rise of grapple tackles and other illegal wrestling holds that were creeping into the game.
The extra set of eyes was supposed to improve accuracy and increase the speed of play but not everyone is pleased with the impact the change has had on the game.
Many fans and commentators believe it only creates more confusion and less consistency, and there is a growing push for the NRL to revert back to having just one whistleblower — as is still the case in the UK Super League. Rather than constantly setting the 10 metres, World Cup referees will also need to pay close scrutiny to the play- the- ball — which was a dog’s breakfast throughout the NRL season. That will put the onus on touch judges to help keep an eye on players creeping up offside. “I guess we’ll get a fair feeling of how they’ll officiate with certain rulings with the speed and the tackle and all of that,” said Mannering. “As a player it’s your job to see where he’s at and obviously push that to his limits and see what you can and can’t do under how the referees rule.” ● Injury has forced the Kiwis into a late change which may force them into positional changes. Melbourne Storm second rower Kenny Bromwich picked up a groin complaint at training on Thursday afternoon, and has been ruled out. He’s been replaced in the 17 by Rooster prop Jared Waerea- Hargreaves, who will play his 20th test. But the injury leaves the Kiwis coaches with a quandary, as WaereaHargreaves probably won’t be able to play in the back row.
He started his career there, but has been in the front row for most of this decade.
Fellow Rooster Isaac Liu may be able to take Bromwich’s spot, but that would also be a stretch, as he has played almost all of his NRL career at prop.
Another scenario, perhaps more likely, could see Mannering move to the edge, with either Adam Blair or Martin Taupau replacing him at lock.
But that is also far from ideal, as the players have been preparing in different positions over the last seven days.
The injury highlights the lack of back row depth in the Kiwis squad, with the absence of Tohu Harris ( injured), Kevin Proctor ( suspended) and Alex Glenn ( not selected).