LEIGH LEOPARDS head coach Adrian Lam believes the Captain’s Challenge will stay in Super League despite its difficulties.
The Captain’s Challenge, introduced last season in the competition having been a feature of the NRL since 2020, has been widely criticised for resulting in lengthy video-refereeing decisions.
Last weekend, Lam complained about the stop-start nature of his side’s win over York Knights, insisting that a timer should be placed on a Captain’s Challenge so as not to ruin the momentum of a game.
He did, however, believe the rule will stay beyond the end of this season.
“I’d like to see the data on (challenge success) at the end of the year because it probably shows that it needs to be in place,” Lam said.
“The first two decisions that the referee made against York were overturned by the video referee.
“If those two decisions are made correctly then it’s a completely different game. Those two decisions went against York and we could have put the game to bed early.
“At this point, I presume it needs to stay, but it can change the momentum of a game.
“I think the players have a really good understanding of the rules, although timing is important as you don’t want to get a challenge wrong (and lose it) two minutes into a game.
“The players talk about it all the time.”