Maguire frustrated by NRL refereeing

George Clarke | May 7, 2022

A frustrated Michael Maguire said he doesn’t feel the Wests Tigers are getting a fair crack with NRL referees after questioning the officiating in his side’s 36-22 loss to Manly.

Already without Ken Maumalo and Thomas Mikaele due to first-half concussions, Tigers prop Stefano Utoikamanu was sent to the sin bin in the 32nd minute for deliberately holding down in the ruck.

The Tigers gave away a total of six six-agains and nine penalties in Saturday’s defeat at Brookvale Oval. 

Utoikamanu’s dismissal by referee Adam Gee – just seconds after he came onto the field – was the catalyst which allowed Manly to score two tries just before the break.

“They were massive calls, I think it was a really big call,” said Tigers coach Maguire.

“We had a period in the second half where we had four six-agains on our own line and nobody else is sent off.

“When you’re sending someone off for 10 minutes, it’s a big part of what plays out in the game.

“Last week, we were hammered with hands around the ball and all those sorts of things.

“Teams are lying down all over us to try and slow down our big men. We are being spoiled in that area.

“You’ve got to make sure that you’re trying to do those things back to the opposition, but it has got to become an even game when you’re in those positions. That’s all that we’re asking for.”

Manly coach Des Hasler also voiced his frustration with the ruck speed.

He said he felt the return of a second referee would help clean up tactics aimed at slowing the play-the-ball down.

“It’s probably a tactic where they (the Tigers) would’ve discussed trying to try and slow down our flow and attack,” Hasler said.

“I think the rule changes, we are still grappling with where you’ll get occasions where the ruck was too slow.

“I’ve been knocking on that door (for two referees). You’ll have to speak to (NRL CEO) Andrew Abdo about that.”