CATALANS DRAGONS coach John Cartwright has called for the Captain’s Challenge to be thrown out of Super League – at least until it can be applied consistently with the appropriate degree of technology.
The Rugby League Hub has reported that, when asked whether Super League should scrap the concept until it can get it consistently right, Cartwright had no doubt that it would be the right thing to do.
That was after sitting through numerous stoppages, some because of technical malfunctions, in Saturday night’s French derby, won 18-16 by Catalans over Toulouse at Stade Ernest Wallon.
Cartwright claimed to feel sorry for the fans who had to sit through the game, which for the most part was played in storm conditions with pouring rain.
He contrasted the Super League’s application of the Captain’s Challenge rules with the NRL’s.
“The footage is obviously not as clear as what you get in the NRL,” he said.
“The pictures that they see are often quite grainy and I didn’t understand a few tonight, I’ve got to say. I’ll have to go back and take a look.”
The Catalans coach claimed that the number of stoppages is preventing fatigue in defensive lines, reducing the potential for tries later in the game.
When asked whether the concept should be stood down, Cartwright said: “Yeah, you’ve nearly got to go with the referee every time because the footage is that grainy.
“Unless they’ve got better pictures then I do.
“It’s very difficult to say the referee got it wrong with the grainy footage that you get. It’s really tough.”