Barba breathes easy after first try

Already anxious about breaking his try scoring drought for Brisbane, Ben Barba says he’s glad he didn’t know a video referee was consulted when he finally crossed the line.

Barba admits a recent string of howlers by officials has become an NRL issue, and says he even has some advice on how to relieve the pressure on them.

That said, it’s not something that will distract him ahead of Friday night’s Suncorp Stadium clash with South Sydney after finally breaking the shackles and inspiring the Broncos’ last round 32-6 thumping of Newcastle.

Barba couldn’t hide his delight when he scored his first try for his new club but didn’t realise at the time the lead-up was being scrutinised frame by frame.

Officials were examining winger Daniel Vidot being tackled into touch while passing the ball in-field to Jack Reed, who was then able to set up Barba’s maiden 2014 four-pointer.

He said on Monday the recent blunders that have cost teams tries and wins have made him think he dodged a bullet.

“I didn’t know it was going to go to the video referee so I was a bit lucky – I am happy to get that out of the way,” Barba said.

“I think (the number of mistakes by officials) is a little bit (of an issue) because you have seen some tries that have been taken away in recent weeks that were dead set tries.

“You never know these days what is going on.

“(But) if the referees make mistakes they make mistakes – no one is perfect.

“I am sure there are a few clubs a bit filthy with the referees but then again you can’t change what has happened.

“You have to move on, otherwise things start going wrong for you.”

Barba believes the NRL should look at incorporating the NFL’s approach where the on-field referee is involved in a video review decision.

“I would like the referee making more of a decision if they see something rather than just leaving it all up to the video referee,” he said.

“If they send it up there and see something on replay and think something should change I think they should.”

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