Warriors coach Stephen Kearney has joined the chorus of voices criticising referees, believing they are being "poorly led" by NRL officials.
New Zealand Warriors coach Stephen Kearney Photo: © Photosport Ltd 2017 www.photosport.nz
Not usually one to point the finger at those with the whistle, Kearney didn't hold back following his team's 12-6 loss to the Melbourne Storm in Auckland.
There wasn't one match-swinging howler but Kearney says a host of baffling decisions went against his team.
It added to a general confusion about the direction of the game's officiating, he said, supporting the plea for consistency made by Canberra counterpart Ricky Stuart.
"We weren't quite good enough tonight but there were some moments that the officials didn't get quite right either," Kearney said.
A good example came this week, when the Warriors received an email saying match officials would crack down on slowing the play-the-ball.
"I'm watching tonight and I'm wondering 'I don't know if they sent themselves that email'," Kearney said.
"I thought they were slow peeling off, Melbourne today. And that's what we're confused about as footy clubs. They're sending out directives and it's not really (working).
"They're under a bit of pressure at the moment, the officials."
-AAP
