Set restarts increased 35% and divided the game. The NRL says they missed even more
“You can expect a high level of focus in this area.”
Another section of the email, subheaded “failing to clear the back,” read: “Referees reviewed defenders who did not clear PTB [play-the-ball] At the conclusion of the intervention, an area where action has not been taken and should result in a Set Restart.
Roosters captain James Tedesco met regularly with referee Wyatt Raymond on Friday night.Credit: NRL Footage
The message from Fairleigh is not indicative of a crackdown, given that the NRL began sending weekly referee summaries to coaches last season to improve communication with clubs, and most NRL mentors appreciated the feedback.
However, as the set restarted, the big names of the game, Andrew Johns, Laurie Daley and Brad Fittler, were among those who questioned the flow of six players again in the first round. The first-round average margin of 20 points was the highest leading into an opening weekend since 2002, as multiple teams piled up points with momentum and possession runs.
Queensland Origin coach Billy Slater weighed in Footy Show on Sunday It is up to clubs to adapt to the “standards of the game”, while noting the inevitable teething problems when new rules are introduced.
“Some teams work a certain way in the offseason, then they get to the first round and those comments are different than theirs,” Slater said.
“They have to act according to the standard of the game… If you’re holding [ball carriers] If it stays longer than that, it’s easy to give you another six… I’ve watched all these violations and they’re all guaranteed.”
As well as a renewed focus on ruck infringements, the NRL has also flagged concerns about how captains interact with referees on the field.
Roosters captain James Tedesco visibly questioned several calls made by referee Wyatt Raymond when he was on the wrong end of an 11-4 penalty count in their heavy defeat to the Warriors.
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“In R1, some players approached the referee at the wrong time and repeatedly questioned the referee’s decisions,” Fairleigh wrote.
“There is an appropriate time for the Captain to speak to the referee. Please ensure that when the Captain speaks to the referee, it is to clarify the decision and not to object.”
The note also highlighted contact with players after passing the ball, with the same warning that “this will be the focus area”, as well as “there have been a number of incidents where the half was touched in R1” [late] “He should have been penalized after passing the ball, but he wasn’t.”
