Hasler offers support for under-fire refs

Updated May 31, 2012 16:07:01

Canterbury coach Des Hasler has leapt to the defence of rugby league referees, blaming the media for heaping more pressure on under-fire whistle-blowers.

Match officials have been in the firing line since last week's State of Origin opener in Melbourne following some contentious decisions that upset New South Wales.

The Australian Rugby League Commission confirmed it is conducting a review into the NRL's match officials operations.

Referees co-coaches Bill Harrigan and Stuart Raper met with ARLC chief executive David Gallop and general manager of football operations Nathan McGuirk.

Hasler said referees do not receive the same protection as officials in other sports.

"The referees in AFL, NBA and NFL football are more revered," Hasler said.

"To a certain extent referees are more persecuted in our game and you blokes (the media) have a fair bit to do with that.

"I back it up by saying it is part of the culture of rugby league to give it to the referee."

Despite his claims, Hasler has himself been a staunch critic of officials in the past.

In 2009, when coaching Manly, he even took the step of reading out a prepared statement to accuse referees of costing his team the game with a controversial decision late in a game against Gold Coast.

However, the two-time premiership-winning coach said officials in the modern game need support, not widespread criticism and denied there was a lack of respect for them from players and coaches.

He also praised Blues coach Ricky Stuart's decision to snub the media in protest after last Wednesday's game.

"Coaches don't pick on referees, coaches just point out where they can improve," he said.

"It's a tough job. They get the respect, it's more about support across the board.

"Coaches go heavy on referees behind closed doors, but with the media it's fair play isn't it.

"I liked the way Ricky Stuart went about handling the referee decisions, it was pretty smart as he took the media out of the picture."

Hasler also refused to criticise Bulldogs captain Michael Ennis following his expletive-laden discussion with referee Jason Robinson following a decision not to award his side a try against the Sydney Roosters on Monday.

"Mick did what every captain should do. He was questioning the try and I expect a captain to do it," he said.

"I didn't hear any bad language, there were beeps over it. I heard the beeps not the swearing."

AAP

Tags: sport, rugby-league, nrl, australia, nsw, sydney-2000

First posted May 31, 2012 15:12:08

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Under-fire Eels face wrath of members

Updated May 09, 2012 08:32:42

Parramatta's Stephen Kearney looked every bit a coach under pressure as he ran from the media pack after the club's annual general meeting where players and the coach fronted around 300 members.

Both Kearney and captain Nathan Hindmarsh addressed and fielded questions from members as part of Tuesday night's meeting.

The Eels' 46-12 loss to Canterbury on Friday ensured Parramatta has made the worst start to a season in 52 years and some supporters are fed up and let their first grade mentor know about it.

Longtime member Michael Pritchard does not believe Kearney is the right man to steer the Eels and said there were plenty of others like him in the meeting.

"Some people got up and asked some stupid questions ... a lot of personal stuff and they said they wouldn't let that go ahead," he said.

"A couple of supporters got up and told him (Kearney) they didn't think he was the right man to coach and wouldn't let him (Kearney) talk anymore."

Pritchard and a number of other members expressed extreme disappointment at Kearney's decision to drop Eels fan favourite and club stalwart Luke Burt earlier in the season.

Hindmarsh fronted the media outside the Parramatta Leagues Club.

"I got up there and said a few words about how we're trying hard and we're trying to work our way out of it and that we've got great coaching staff who give us all the right tools but at the end of the day it's up to the players to do the job and we're not doing it," Hindmarsh said.

"It's a group effort, coaching staff and team and players together, so we're all copping it on the chin."

The club released a statement of what Kearney told members.

"It has been the worst start for this football club in 50 or so years, and frankly some of our performances have been totally unacceptable," Kearney said.

"I make no excuses on our part, the facts are we have simply not been good enough.

"I take responsibility for where we are as a team; I also take the responsibility for leading us out of this difficult situation we find ourselves in."

Hindmarsh said there was more passion than anger in the fans and he thought it was a worthwhile exercise.

"They want a team that's winning and we understand the frustration as players we want to be winning games as well and we took their questions on board," he said.

"They (fans) got some questions out there they wanted answered and I think it was worthwhile."

AAP

Tags: nrl, rugby-league, sport, parramatta-2150, nsw, australia

First posted May 09, 2012 06:00:48

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