Refs put on notice

NRL boss Todd Greenberg has told his besieged referees they have to improve immediately as the axe threatens to fall on the match officials involved in the calamitous Sharks-raiders clash last Friday night.

It was understood the game’s No 1 referee, Gerard Sutton, who officiated in all three State of Origin clashes this year, could be banished to a low-profile match this weekend.

Touch judge Rick Macfarlane, who incorrectly raised his flag in the lead-up to a controversial Cronulla try, is tipped to lose his spot with the fate of NRL bunker officials Luke Patten and Henry Perenara also uncertain after green lighting a crucial Sione Katoa four-pointer.

It comes on the same day Greenberg quizzed referees bosses about the confidence levels in the ranks of the NRL officials before telling them they ‘‘had to be better’’ in the finals run-in.

Warriors coach Stephen Kearney added his voice to the chorus of criticism aimed at the standard of refereeing after Sunday’s 12-6 loss to the Storm.

‘‘I’m frustrated sometimes, really frustrated,’’ Greenberg said. ‘‘We should be getting those decisions [in the Sharks-raiders game] right. They impact games and they impact livelihoods.

‘‘The simple answer is our referees and match officials have got to improve their performance. We’ve got to own our problems. We’ve got to be better.’’