Smith calls for major changes on video refs
TONY Smith reiterated his stance on video referees after Hull KR’S controversial Super League clash with Huddersfield Giants, insisting they should be done away with.
Rovers claimed the points on Friday night but were on the wrong end of some contentious calls at Craven Park.
The biggest talking points surrounded the decision to rule out a Kane Linnett try and give the green light when Chris Mcqueen appeared to knock on.
For the first incident video referee Chris Kendall deemed that Shaun Kenny-dowall had taken out Lee Gaskell when it appeared the full-back had thrown himself to the floor after minimal contact.
Smith would not be drawn on specific decisions but he repeated his call for the current system to be scrapped.
“I’m not going to comment on it,” he said regarding the decision to disallow Linnett’s try. “They called it no try so we play on and get on with it.
“I’d do away with all the video refs and go back to the old way of whatever the referee decides that’s the decision.
“I think it’s nearly as accurate in that way and I think people can understand that too. I know that’s not going to happen though.
“On that one in particular, it’s not for me to decide. I need to go and have a look at it a few times and slow it down and backwards and forwards and all that.”
Rovers lost another player to a head injury during Friday’s game, with Korbin Sims concussed for the second time in three matches.
Matty Storton has also suffered two concussions already this year, while a whole host of other players on both sides of the world have failed HIAS in the early stages of the season.
The increase in head injuries has coincided with some high-profile rule changes, including the introduction of ‘six again’ which has made the game quicker.
Smith believes it is time for the lawmakers to have a rethink, with the NRL recently bringing in an 18th man concussion substitute.
“We thought we were going to have another couple with concussion who collided heads,” he said referring to a coming together between Kenny-dowall and Muizz Mustapha. “Fortunately they were OK but I think it’s time to have a look at some of those rules, just as the Australians have because they’re coming up with a lot of concussions.
“Maybe we have to look at some other rules too and see why there’s so many concussions happening since some of the rule changes. It is concerning.”