Cummins, the most experienced referee in the NRL, is relieved to be getting out of the game, saying the scrutiny on officials is becoming intolerable.
The NRL’s most experienced referee, Ben Cummins, has made the startling revelation he “persuaded” his teenage son to become an AFL umpire to protect him from the abuse levelled at rugby league match officials.
Rugby league’s endless obsession with refereeing decisions was also part of the reason for his retirement — and why he advised his 18-year-old son, Patrick, to officiate in a rival code. Cummins made his NRL debut in 2006 and has officiated in 442 matches, making him the most experienced referee in history ahead of Bill Harrigan , Ashley Klein and Matt Cecchin . He’s been in the middle for five grand finals, 14 State of Origins and 13 Tests.He grew up in Canberra watching the likes of Mal Meninga, Ricky Stuart and Gary Belcher playing at Seiffert Oval, a point that would’ve been lost on many Raiders fans in the 2019 grand final when Cummins made a critical error.
Most codes have an unhealthy focus on match officials, but in rugby league it’s almost a sport within a sport. Cummins says he’s seen a significant change for the worse since he started 17 seasons ago. What about a return to a two-referee system? Some argue the game has become so fast, especially with set restarts for ruck and offside infringements, one referee simply can’t keep up.
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