NRL referee boss apologises for Canberra Raiders howler in loss to Cronulla Sharks
The NRL's senior referees manager Bernard Sutton says the league's officiating needs to improve following the latest high-profile refereeing blunder during the Canberra Raiders' 28-24 loss to the Cronulla Sharks. Canberra was trailing by 16 points early in the second period and managed to cut the Sharks' lead to just four points before the Raiders comeback was interrupted by a mix-up between the touch judge and the referee. Touch judge Ricky McFarlane raised his flag during a Sharks set, prompting referee Gerard Sutton to put his whistle to his lips without blowing it, distracting the Raiders players and allowing Sione Katoa to score an uninhibited try. The try was referred to the video referee to look at a knock-on in the build-up, but the bunker failed to notice McFarlane raising his flag and the try stood. https://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-07-21/nrl-referee-boss-apologises-for-canberra-raiders-howler/10021536