THE controversial reigns of Bill Harrigan and Stuart Raper as referees co-coaches has come to an end. The ARL Commission announced the decision today in a major shake-up of the current refs coaching model with the appointment of a new NRL Referees Elite Performance Manager to be made in coming weeks.
The writing was on the wall for the pair after a 2012 season plagued by poor officiating.
Players and fans have been left perplexed and angry over many of the decisions made that seemed to fly in the face of logic.
In particular Harrigan was criticised for his explanation of the
Greg Inglis try in the opening State of Origin encounter in Melbourne.
There was also outrage at Kieran Foran's knock-on in the elimination final but not picked up by the video referee which led to a try to Manly, virtually ending the Cowboys' season.
Interim ARL Chief Executive, Shane Mattiske, today thanked Raper and Harrigan for their contribution.
Bill has made an incredible contribution to refereeing in a career that will forever stand out in the games record books.
He and Stuart have worked incredibly hard over the last two years in particular and there is a strong sense of gratitude on our part for their efforts, but we also believe that a new structure is needed.
The move will also lead to changes in other senior positions.
Russell Smith has been named Interim Manager of the NRL Referees Department and will assist NRL operations manager Nathan McGuirk, in finalising the make-up of the 2013 referees squad.
