McDermott hits out at officials

[josie andrews]

Brian McDermott hit out at the RFL's match officials department after being frustrated by what he believed were Wakefield's 'spoiling' tactics in this one-sided clash.

Leeds's 11 try win secured their place in the Engage Super League play-offs, with Ryan Hall claiming a hat-trick, Danny McGuire crossing twice and Ali Lauitiiti marking his Headingley farewell with a popular touchdown.

But that did little to appease McDermott, who was seething with the sport's current rules and regulations.

McDermott said: "If anybody wants this game to progress to where we all think it should progress to, where people are just gob-smacked by the skill and spectacle on show, then our attitude towards dominant teams needs to change.

"That was reffed at the lowest common denominator. It was almost like 'let's feel sorry for the opposition'. I would say there were 20 occasions where he could have penalised them (Wakefield) for holding down, and all it did was just make it a frustrating second half for everybody.

"It wasn't Ben Thaler's fault as an individual - it's our sport and the governing body. Their attitude, instruction and the edicts that come from above allow people to spoil and get away with it.

"Penalise them out of the game and there'll be some ugly score-lines, but the coaches and the players will have to adjust. At the moment Wakefield don't have to adjust because they had some success with their tactics. Rant over."

Hall's 100th Leeds try started the rout just two minutes in, with Ben Jones-Bishop, Carl Ablett and Danny McGuire also touching down before Hall claimed his second on the half hour.

Ryan Tongia grabbed Trinity's solitary first-half try as the hosts built up a 28-4 lead, and Leeds never looked back.

Lauitiiti went over from McGuire's inside pass four minutes after the restart to lift the roof off Headingley's South Stand.

Josh Veivers, Motu Tony and Kyle Amor made Wakefield's score at least half respectable, but Danny Buderus, Hall, McGuire, Jamie Peacock and Lee Smith piled on the agony.

McDermott added: "I'm really pleased with the fellas. They were in a dark place last week and we were pretty determined to do something special tonight.

"From one to 17, everyone ran with determination - and we could have scored a few more points as well."

Wakefield boss John Kear said: "We made early tackle errors and that's a pretty simple recipe for disaster."

http://www.loverugbyleague.com/news_625 ... ials.html?

[josie andrews]

Whinos!!! Even when they win & win convincingly at that

[Kittwazzer]

That's one thing about Madge. Not once in his 2 years has he made a negative comment about the opposition or the officials!

[josie andrews]

That's one thing about Madge. Not once in his 2 years has he made a negative comment about the opposition or the officials!

I'll second that

[Matthew]

He didn't complain when the ref did them a few favours in the CC final when they were getting dominated!

[ToffeePie]

Seriously how Leeds complain about officials is beyond me they have had their fair share of vital calls over the years

[wiganwarriordave]

I have to say, to a certain extent i agree with him. The rub of the green always goes with the losing side in an apparent attempt to even up sides and stop the 50+/60+ scorelines we've seen a few times this year. And it's frustrating to watch. Unfortunately, this'll fall on deaf ears and he'll probably just cop a wrist slap and fine from the RFL.