It comes down to the referees ego imo.
They all have little man syndrome and subconsciously hold a grudge against players and teams.
This is something I've noticed with Chris Butler.
He's got that look of disdain towards them all - "off with ye, peasants".
Can't stand him.
I don’t watch union but the way the players interact with the officials is completely different, there is zero player to referee communication. Its old school respect or your in the bin.
Makes the players just get on with it and the referee not being manipulated.
The NRL definitely has a long way to go in this regard.
There is way too much tolerance of every player getting in the ref's face and arguing over decisions.
It should be the captain and the captain only.
Anyone else speaks up and I march you 10.
I don't think the NRL has the backbone to handle the backlash for that though.