18 Nov 2010

Harrigan wants more confident refs

1:07 pm on 18 November 2010

The former top rugby league referee Bill Harrigan has called for more confident and decisive refereeing after admitting referees have been below his desired standard this year.

Harrigan and ex-Cronulla first grade coach Stuart Raper have been appointed dual coaches of the NRL premiership referees for next year.

The NRL boss David Gallop says they'll bring different expertise to the position, sharing the responsibility and performing different roles.

Refereeing standards were widely criticised over the past year, with controversy over decisions continuing until last weekend's Four Nations final when Australia and New Zealand benefitted from errors.

Harrigan doesn't think greater use of video technology is the answer and says referees should back themselves a bit more and rely on the video referee a bit less.