We won’t blame the referee if Kangaroos lose: Walters
Glenn Moore |
Kangaroos coach Kevin Walters has brushed aside concerns over rule interpretations and refereeing in the Ashes series, ahead of the first Test at Wembley.
The English game operates with subtle differences to some laws, notably a green card for players perceived to have feigned injury to win a penalty. The green card sends them off the pitch for two minutes.
There are also some differences in the stripping laws, making it illegal for a one-on-one strip after other defenders have fallen off the tackle.
But Walters has pledged not to slate the referee whatever happens – not that he thinks the whistler’s decisions will be the difference between winning and losing.
“My father taught me from a very young age not to ever use the referee as an excuse for your performance, and that’ll be the case with our boys on Saturday,” Walters said.
“He’s there to do a job, he’ll be doing the best job that he can. That’s not our focus. We need to do the best job that we can.
“For the referee, I’m sure it’ll be a great day for him as well. I strongly believe that he won’t decide the game.”
To be on the safe side, however, the Kangaroos have drafted in Australian Willie Peters, who this month coached Hull KR to Super League grand-final success, to give the players the lowdown on local refereeing interpretations.
Englishman Liam Moore has been given the whistle for Saturday’s opening Test, with NRL grand-final official Grant Atkins taking the second Test in Liverpool.
Whoever is judged to have done the better job is likely to get the third Test.
Moore was the referee at the centre of last year’s World Club Challenge controversy, late in Wigan’s dramatic 16-12 victory over Penrith.
As on-field referee, he sent a contested Wigan try upstairs as a try, which then failed to be overturned despite several replays appearing to show it was grounded short of the line.
Taylan May was then denied what would have potentially been a late match-winner, when a would-be four-pointer was sent up as no try and insufficient evidence failed to overturn it.
Penrith’s co-captains Nathan Cleary and Isaah Yeo both remain from that match, with Cleary playing his first Test since the World Cup in 2022 on Saturday.
He will also feature alongside livewire fullback Reece Walsh for the first time, with Australia opting for the Brisbane megastar ahead of Dylan Edwards at No.1.
“He’s made me look silly a few times so I’m very excited to play alongside him, and to try unlock him and allow him to play his best,” Cleary said of Walsh earlier this week.
This Ashes series marks the first since 2003, when Australia defeated Great Britain 3-0.
Australia have won the last 13 Ashes series dating back to 1973, but the hosts have regularly challenged with wins in the first game and forcing the Kangaroos to come back.
This England side looms as more familiar to the Kangaroos with AJ Brimson’s debut making for five NRL players in the 19-man squad on Saturday as well as ex-Canberra half George Williams.
AAP
