From Sporting News,
Souths captain Sam Burgess believes refereeing is best it's been in years
South Sydney captain Sam Burgess says the standard of NRL refereeing is the best it's been for "three or four seasons" despite coach Wayne Bennett's claim that fewer ruck penalties are afflicting the game.
After the Rabbitohs beat the Bulldogs 14-6 in a dour Good Friday affair,
Bennett urged officials to judge what they see rather than letting minor infringements go unpunished in a bid to encourage enterprising footy.
Souths were held scoreless in the second half as Canterbury slowed down the play-the-ball considerably, with referees Henry Perenara and Tim Roby hesitant to intervene.
"Today I thought was the worst I've seen that situation," Bennett said.
NRL head of football Graham Annesley has told referees to allow play to continue more often so the ball is kept alive for longer.
Compared to this time last season, 33 per cent less penalties have been awarded while the average tries per match has slightly increased.
By the same token, players are willing to test the limits in the ruck knowing they're unlikely to be called out on it.
Burgess, who remonstrated with the whistleblowers multiple times against the Dogs, admitted tactics to draw out the play-the-ball are annoying for offensive teams but praised the officiating as a whole.
"I thought the ruck was quite strange in the game on the weekend. Obviously we felt we were quite dominant at times but we didn't get the rewards on the penalties," Burgess told
Triple M Saturday Footy.
"But having said that, I like the way the refs have been reffing this year ... because if you dissect every tackle you can almost blow a penalty every time.
"I like what they're doing but I think sometimes common sense can prevail.
"It didn't cost us the result and the Bulldogs, fair play to them, they've obviously been trying to slow the play-the-ball down and it worked.
"Frustrating a little bit but we got the game on our defence."
Burgess noted the performance of the referees has rarely rated a mention in the first month-and-a-half of the season amongst the on-field action.
That, he believes, is proof that easing up on nit-picking penalties is making for a better product.
"To be honest, the refs - this is probably the first time we've been speaking about them in the first six rounds," Burgess said.
"I think they're doing a fantastic job, I like that they're not blowing penalties where they probably could a few times.
"Just let the game flow. The ball's in play probably more than its ever been, we've seen more points scored.
"I'm liking what they're doing but every now and then when you're on the receiving end it's frustrating.
"They've got a tough job but I feel in the past three or four seasons, this is the best start to a year we've had in terms of refereeing on the pitch."
Burgess engaged in a running duel with Canterbury halfback Lachlan Lewis, at one point lashing out as his smaller opponent clung onto his legs after the tackle was completed.
The Rabbitohs back-rower charged at Lewis in the defensive line at every opportunity but the 22-year-old held firm.
And Burgess joked he couldn't get the tenacious No.7 out of his mind after the 80 minutes was up.
"I had dreams about him actually," he laughed. "He's quite a good-looking fella as well, so it wasn't too bad."
