Silverwood display impresses Geyer

Former Australia international Mark Geyer has called for the NRL to scrap their two-referees system, following Richard Silverwood’s display in the ANZAC Test last weekend.

Speaking in his column for Rugby League Week Magazine in Australia, Geyer says its time to make a return to one referee after he was impressed by Silverwood, who was flown out to referee Australia‘s win over New Zealand in their annual test match.

Geyer said: “If the Independent Commission ever sees the light of day, I have its first task already pencilled in – scrap the two-referees system.

“NRL officials appear to have a problem admitting they got things wrong and for that reason, I can’t see them going back to the old ways of one man controlling the game.

“But last Friday night’s Test on the Gold Coast – and the superb performance of English referee Richard Silverwood – was a lesson to us all.”

The NRL introduced the two-referee system last year where the control referee is primarily in charge of the play and calling penalties, with an assist referee, who communicates with the control referee but doesn’t blow the whistle. The two referees then exchange roles when possession changes.