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ABC News
an hour ago
- Sport
- ABC News
Wests Tigers CEO Shane Richardson claims NRL refs have inherent bias against lower teams
Wests Tigers chief executive Shane Richardson has made the sensational claim that referees have an inherent bias against teams that are lower on the NRL ladder. Richardson doubled down on coach Benji Marshall's post-match critique that the Tigers were hard done by the match officials in Sunday's 18-14 loss to Penrith. In particular, Marshall said a kick-pressure penalty against Jarome Luai was "outrageous" and that another offside call against the halfback was "bad". On Friday, Richardson ventured that rebuilding teams such as the 13th-placed Tigers, wooden spooners the past three seasons, were likelier to be penalised than more successful sides. "I thought there were some pretty ordinary refereeing decisions (in the Panthers game) that certainly had an effect on us," he said on the Tigers' Behind The Roar podcast. "I've learned over the years, though, that refereeing decisions never really go your way when you're battling up the ladder. "For some reason referees — and they're humans — they feel that the better teams are going to make better mistakes, less mistakes, when really that's not the case. But it is what it is." The Tigers have been penalised on average more than any team this season, conceding eight penalties per game across the opening 14 rounds. But ladder-leading Canberra, the biggest success story of the season, has conceded the second-most behind the Tigers, with 7.6 per game. Second-placed Canterbury are not far behind in fifth spot with 7.0 per game, only one fewer than the 13th-placed Tigers. Former Penrith, Cronulla and South Sydney chief executive Richardson claimed becoming a good team would help the Tigers receive more penalties. "You've got to become one of the better teams to get some more of the rub of the green," he said. The Tigers hit their round-15 bye on a four-game losing streak, but three of those defeats have come by 10 points or fewer. Richardson was happy with the club's progress. "I'm very, very comfortable, not with 5-8 (their record), neither would you be as fans and members, but the reality is that, as a team, we're improving all the time," he said. AAP
Yahoo
2 hours ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
'Can't allow that': Calls for NRL to step in over Latrell's $30,000 refusal
Matty Johns and David Riccio have called on the NRL to intervene and demand players like Latrell Mitchell and Spencer Leniu fulfil their media commitments in State of Origin camp. And there's a real fear that Origin 2 in Perth could be a flop unless they do. Mitchell hasn't spoken to the media at all this year, with South Sydney keen to protect him and ensure he remains focused on footy. Leniu has also been held back and hasn't been made to front reporters since his altercation with Johnathan Thurston after a Roosters game earlier this season. Both players have been allowed to continue their media ban in State of Origin camp with NSW, but it's contributed to a lack of hype and excitement around the games so far. The build-up to Origin 1 seemed to lack any real spice, and it's been largely the same ahead of Game 2 in Perth. Speaking on SEN radio on Friday, leading reporter Riccio feared for the game in Perth (now and in the future) if it's not promoted properly. And he pointed out that Queensland's decision not to kick-off to Leniu in Game 1 should be a major talking point before the second game, but Leniu isn't available to the media to talk about it. "The NRL need to be careful with State of Origin, because what we saw in Origin 1 was the closest thing we've seen to an NRL game," Riccio said in regards to the quality of Game 1. "The media build-up and promotion is critical to the hype and excitement before the game, but it's become so boring and so vanilla. "We're not hearing from the actual players. The game has a responsibility to ensure the actual superstars promote the game and sell the game." Johns pointed out that players are paid $30,000 for an Origin game, and should be compelled to speak to the media. "If you're getting paid that money, I think it's your responsibility to talk," he said. "And it's your responsibility to build the game up." Riccio warned the NRL against "resting on it's laurels" and assuming Origin will always remain the juggernaut that it is with TV ratings and ticket sales. He pointed out that with Perth getting an NRL team in 2027, it's more important that ever to make Origin 2 in WA a resounding success. And he believes part of that revolves around the officials giving the players some extra leeway with the way the game is refereed. "We can't allow Game 2 to unfold the way the first one did," he declared. "This game has to be an absolute spectacle to win over the West Australian public." Johns added: "If this is a dour and low-key game it will really be alarming. Queensland will come out blazing and they're going to have to let a little bit of stuff go (the referees). Unless it's something obvious, just let the players decide it." RELATED: Calls for immediate change amid apparent NSW rule breach Nathan Cleary comes clean amid rumour around Mary Fowler Riccio and Denan Kemp said the NRL had missed a trick in not forcing Mitchell and Leniu to end their media boycott, particularly in light of the Maroons' decision not to kick to Leniu in Game 1. "The NRL need to cultivate an environment in which the players feel safe to say whatever they want (to an extent)," Kemp said.
Courier-Mail
3 hours ago
- Sport
- Courier-Mail
Gold Coast Titans v Manly Sea Eagles: Start time, odds, teams
Don't miss out on the headlines from SuperCoach. Followed categories will be added to My News. The Titans have locked up rising rugby convert Jojo Fifita as Des Hasler deals with an injury crisis as he fights for his future on the Gold Coast. Hasler will hand NRL debuts to reserve grade journeymen Josh Patston and Tuki Simpkins in Friday night's grudge match with former club Manly at Cbus Super Stadium. Having lost eight of their past nine games to fall into last spot on the NRL ladder, the Titans are now reeling with 10 players unavailable for selection. SuperCoach Averages SuperCoach Averages K. Foran 0 R. Campbell-Gillard 0 B. Kelly 0 J. Jolliffe 0 P. Sami 0 B. Fermor 0 A. Brimson 0 S. Mullany 0 C. Randall 0 S. Verrills 0 D. Cherry-Evans 0 M. Chee Kam 0 S. Taukeiaho 0 N. Brown 0 J. Trbojevic 0 M. Lodge 0 L. Brooks 0 T. Sipley 0 T. Trbojevic 0 J. Tevaga 0 Queensland duo Tino Fa'asuamaleaui and Moeaki Fotuaika are on Origin duty while Keano Kini (neck), Fifita (hand), Carter Gordon (neck), Jaylan de Groot (hamstring) and Brock Gray (knee) are among those on the injured list. PLAY CODE TRIVIA TODAY! 🎲❓ Think you're a sports fanatic? Take the test. Play daily trivia for FREE on CODE Sports. Sign up here > There is conjecture around the availability of $1 million star David Fifita after he underwent recent ankle surgery while Harley Smith-Shields (hamstring) and Tony Francis (knee) are also not playing. To make matters worse for Hasler against his old club, the Sea Eagles will be boosted by the availability of axed Queensland captain Daly Cherry-Evans and returning Dally M Medal superstar Tom Trbojevic from injury. Titans coach Des Hasler is under pressure. Picture:Manly coach Anthony Seibold said 'DCE' was focused on bouncing back against the Titans. 'He's obviously disappointed but he's had a great week's preparation with us,' he said. 'There's disappointment there but a great deal of pride in captaining his state 20 times and playing 26 games for Queensland. 'Chez has been a really good leader for Manly for a long time. He hasn't got anything to prove. Match Day gld titans gld - live Pre Game 5:00am Rd 15 - Fri 13/06 Cbus Super Stadium Match Centre - man man sea eagles 16260 run metres 19749 331 tackle busts 426 3753 tackles 3901 460 missed tackles 467 'We wouldn't play Tom if he wasn't 100 per cent fit. We held him back a little longer and we've managed him really well.' The Titans are the NRL's worst defensive team, leaking 382 points at 31.8 per game, and were horrible in last week's 44-14 loss to the Broncos. In the days leading up to the dreadful Broncos performance, Gold Coast's owners guaranteed Hasler's future is safe amid reports they were lining up a new coach. Jojo Fifita has locked in his Titans future. Picture: Matt Roberts / NRL Imagery Despite their bizarre statement, speculation around Hasler's future will likely continue if the Titans' terrible form continues. But there was some good news for the club this week with backline sensation Jojo Fifita re-signing until the end of 2027. Fifita is due back from a hand injury next week and said he wanted to remain on the Gold Coast. 'This means a lot to me,' he said. 'This club has given me a lot of opportunities to grow as a player both on and off the field. 'I'm really excited to see what the next chapter has to offer.' Originally published as Gold Coast Titans v Manly Sea Eagles: Live scores, updates, SuperCoach analysis
Daily Mail
6 hours ago
- Sport
- Daily Mail
NRL club mourns fan who died in tragic scenes at their home ground just moments before kick-off in milestone match
The Broncos are in mourning after a fan died at Suncorp Stadium moments before their clash against the Gold Coast Titans on June 7. Brisbane boss Dave Donaghy confirmed a club supporter suffered a heart attack in the stands as halfback Adam Reynolds prepared to run out for his 300th NRL game. Suncorp Stadium management and the Broncos provide on-site paramedics for all home games - but tragically, the man couldn't be revived. Relatives of the man informed the club of the news, and the Broncos will donate a jersey to be placed on his coffin. 'It was horribly sad,' Donaghy told News Corp. 'Our thoughts are with the family right now and of course we will do whatever we can to support them at this difficult time. 'The first responders on the night were remarkable, I couldn't imagine the job they had to do in difficult circumstances.' Meanwhile, Broncos star Pat Carrigan has backed teammate Ezra Mam following the controversial pivot's selection in the Queensland Origin squad. Mam recently returned to the NRL following a nine-game ban after pleading guilty to driving with drugs in his system and without a licence, following a head-on collision with an Uber last October. Many footy fans felt Mam should have been punished more severely. 'Look, he made a well-publicised mistake and he had to own that,' Carrigan said. 'We know what Ezra has more than well and truly done enough work on himself and he continues to do so. 'It (Origin camp) is a good opportunity for him, you get into these sort of environments and you get to learn from guys like Cameron Munster and Tommy Dearden, how they prepare and how they go about things. 'Those experiences will be good for the Broncos too. Ezra's done a lot of hard work outside of it and it's nice to see him get rewarded.' As 18th man, Mam could feature in game two in Perth on June 18 for the Maroons if there is a concussion-related injury.
Yahoo
7 hours ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
'Not allowed': NSW caught in rule breach drama over State of Origin selection
NRL fans are calling for change to the farcical rules around the 18th man in State of Origin, after it was revealed on Thursday night that Tom Trbojevic knocked back the chance to be NSW's emergency player in Game 1 so he could play for Manly. And it raises questions about whether the rules were breached by allowing him to do so. Bulldogs fans are fuming that Matt Burton is once again 18th man for the Blues in Game 2, given it means he can't play club footy this weekend. Because the 18th man has become such a vital player on game-day and could be called into action if a player is ruled out through an act of foul play, they need to be training with their respective Origin teams all week. The other members of the extended squads are released back to their clubs for the weekend's games, but the 18th man has to stay in camp and remain fully-fit to play. It means Burton will miss a fifth game for the Bulldogs while serving a role for NSW that means he's every chance to sit on the sideline all game. The situation was made even worse for Burton and Bulldogs fans on Thursday when Jarome Luai was parachuted into the starting team to replace the injured Mitchell Moses at five-eighth, despite not being named in the initial squad. Burton was named 18th man earlier this week, and many feel he's been hard done by to not be replacing Moses. Nathan Hindmarsh said on Triple M radio on Thursday: "I've got to feel a little bit disappointed for Burton. He's been carried as 18th man before, just give him a run. I think his combination with Nathan Cleary would have worked alright." RELATED: Laurie Daley's concerning admission about NSW player under cloud Selwyn Cobbo tipped for sad Broncos exit after 'secret meeting' If Burton and the Bulldogs weren't already annoyed enough, a new revelation about Trbojevic will add to the frustration. Michael Chammas of revealed on Thursday night that Turbo was picked as 18th man for Origin 1, but withdrew so he could play for Manly that weekend. It remains to be seen whether the Bulldogs knew that was an option for Burton as well. Trbojevic has been plagued by injury over the last few years and reportedly felt obliged to knock back a spot in the Blues' squad so he could be available for the Sea Eagles against Parramatta. But it seemingly breaks NRL rules around representative games, with players not allowed to withdraw from rep footy unless they're injured or have a compelling reason. The rule reared its head last year when Kalyn Ponga was forced to backflip and make himself available for Kangaroos selection, even though he eventually wasn't picked anyway. "The 18th man shouldn't be selected until the Sunday night before an Origin," Chammas wrote. "Allow the states to pick extended squads as they do now, but send players 18, 19 and 20 back to their clubs. And at the end of the round, having determined everyone's fitness, then decide who [the 18th man] should be." NRL fans made the same argument on social media on Thursday, particularly after Burton was overlooked in favour of Luai to replace Moses. Many described it as a "joke" that Burton can't play for the Bulldogs this weekend, and the revelation about Trbojevic only adds to the controversy. Many pointed out that the 18th man should simply be picked from a team on the bye to avoid any drama, as was the case with Campbell Graham in Game 1 (after Turbo withdrew). So let me get this straight:👉 Burton, 18th man, and is unavailable for Bulldogs.👉Moses gets ruled outObvious thing to do? Request an exemption from the NRL and leave Burton 18th man 💀These rules, and Laurie Daley, are a joke 🤡 DISRESPECTED #stateoforigin — Larry Taylor (@thelarrytaylor) June 12, 2025 Geez Burton must feel awesome. — T Hampshire (@trenthampshire) June 12, 2025 Absolute joke release Burton now!!! 18th man WTAF!!! — Craig Brian Peter Coyle (@cbpcoyle) June 12, 2025 Let them pick THREE after the round and they can use any of the three depending on who is injured. All sides - club and state - get a better a deal. — cowsandguns (@sc_cowsandguns) June 12, 2025 Understand with 19th and 20th But 18th should be fresh. As we've seen with Moses going down. But controversly they have not used the 18th — Rob Cotterill (@robbiecotterill) June 12, 2025 Burton is too valuable at 18th Man. It just makes sense to bring in Luai in this situation. I mean, he's only won 4 Premierships with the 1,7&13 — Mike Scolz (@skulzy87) June 12, 2025
