Sydney Roosters mentor Trent Robinson believes coaches will cop the NRL’s move to ban criticising the bunker as long as its technology is up to scratch.
The Roosters copped one of the worst calls from the bunker so far this season, when Mitchell Aubusson was ruled offside in the lead-up to what would have been a match-winning try in the round four defeat to Manly.
Line-drawing technology currently available with Fox Sports in the A-League to rule on offsides is yet to be introduced in the NRL, despite the bunker’s $2 million a year price tag.
The lack of such technology also cost Parramatta a try to Brad Takairangi in Thursday night’s win over Manly.
“All I will say on it is that the bunker is a good idea. Am I allowed to say that? Am I allowed be positive,” Robinson joked on Sunday.
“The technology is important, that is the advancement of our game, it was going to happen.
“The only thing that I ask for is that we research the technology so that we address those grey areas in our game, and that is one of them (ruling on offside). Are going to eliminate the grey completely? I don’t think so. But if we can narrow the grey with technology then let’s go there.”
The NRL sent a letter to all 16 side on Friday warning that coaches, officials and players could no longer criticise the bunker, under threat of a $20,000 fine.
The edict follows weeks of fierce criticism of the NRL’s newly introduced officiating technology and is in line with the governing body’s regulations banning the bagging of referees.
“The thing about not talking about it is we have to push the limits to make sure we get it to the best level possible,” Robinson said.
“It is unrealistic to expect that we are never going to have an error in the bunker, I don’t think that should have ever been talked about. We are still all humans and this the beauty of us, we have to make decision and some things aren’t black and white.
“That is important to understand. We are heading in the right direction.”
Brad Fittler supported the move.
“As long as (referees boss) Tony Archer is accountable to a degree it is OK,” Fittler said on Channel Nine’s Sunday Footy Show.
