Referees department admit error in Leeds Rhinos defeat as officials named for Super League round 9

[josie andrews]

The RFL have admitted a crucial blunder during Leeds Rhinos’ 30-24 defeat by Huddersfield Giants.

Rhinos were trailing by two points with three minutes left when Giants’ Adam Clune snapped up a loose ball and raced clear to score from inside his own half. There appeared to be a Huddersfield knock-on before the ball reached the Giants man, but referee Chris Kendall awarded the try without consulting his video assistant Marcus Griffiths.

If a knock-on had been given Leeds have had the ball deep in Giants territory with six tackles to score a converted try to take the game into extra-time. An RFL spokesman said the match officials’ new boss Phil Bentham admitted to Rhinos the morning after the game it was a “mistake” not to send the decision to the video referee.

Kendall, who is one of the sport’s most experienced referees, is without a game in Betfred Super League round nine, but has not been dropped. The RFL said he was granted leave this weekend earlier in the year, before last Friday’s match.

Rookie top-flight official Liam Rush will take charge of Rhinos for the first time when they visit Hull FC on Sunday. Rush became a full-time referee in 2021, aged 21 and took charge of his first Super League game last month.

Other appointments are: St Helens v Huddersfield Giants - Liam Moore; Castleford Tigers v London Broncos - Jack Smith; Hull KR v Wigan Warriors - Tom Grant; Leigh Leopards v Catalans Dragons - Aaron Moore; Salford Red Devils v Warrington Wolves - James Vella.

https://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/ ... -9-4604218