WAKEFIELD TRINITY coach Daryl Powell has called on the officiating at Super League matches to get better after being less-than-impressed with what he witnessed in a 26-12 defeat at Wigan Warriors.
Powell was not happy with a number of incidents in the game, especially the decision not to allow a score for Max Jowitt when the game was scoreless, while he feels having to use a Captain’s Challenge to see if the ball has gone out on the full is a step too far.
“I do think the refereeing department has to ask themselves a couple of questions,” said Powell. “That first (Jowitt) decision is ridiculous. Now not only have we got one person getting things wrong, we’ve got two (the referee and video referee)
“We’re having to use Captain’s Challenges to see whether the ball has landed on the line or not. They’re basic, and they have to get that right.
“Out of tonight, I think both teams were top class, but there’s other parts of this game that weren’t.
“I’ll just ask the question (of the match officials department) in the week – what are you doing, how are you reviewing yourselves and are you going to get any better? I’ll be asking my team to get better after tonight, and I think they should be doing the same.”
When asked about his thoughts on the disallowed Jowitt ‘try’, Powell added: “He (referee Chris Kendall) said he lost it, but it looked like the ball was on the floor to me.
“There is three things you can come up with – a try, it’s no try, or he’s lost the ball. I think the other two were more likely. If it’s not a try, we’ve still got the ball and another play-the-ball. I don’t get it.”
Aside from the performances from the officials, Powell was proud of what his side produced and insists he is still happy with where they are heading into the final three games of the regular campaign.
“I thought we were immense tonight,” he said. “It was the least likely 20-0 half-time scoreline I’ve ever seen in my life. I thought we started the game unbelievably well, then we gave them the try.
“I thought the start was exactly what we wanted – a great arm wrestle. I just got asked there, at the end of the game, we’ve lost three now, are you disappointed? I am disappointed, but I’m actually really enthused by what I saw tonight.
“We’ve played first and second, and have been as good, if not better, for large parts of the game. I’m really relaxed about where we are at, and I’m looking forward to the last three games.”