Crucial roles in rugby league pointed out

RUGBY league has been played in Papua New Guinea for more than 80 years but remains a problem between players and referees to understand their roles and boundaries.
The sad thing is that it’s happening in the semi-professional competition, Digicel ExxonMobil Cup.
In an era of technology where all stakeholders of the game have exposure to the top-flight competition like NRL and the development around the sport, you would expect players and referees these days to be well-versed in the rules.
In a professional competition, whether it be rugby league, rugby union, soccer, cricket etc., the referee or umpires decision must be respected during the course of the game. Match officials are bound to make mistakes and, yes, the captains are allowed to raise complaints during the game but not to bring disrepute to the game.
If teams and players have serious complaints against match officials, I’m sure there is a match review committee and judiciary, who not only assess players’ conduct but referees’ performances as well. Teams can raise complaints through correct procedures.
In the Minj incident, Eagles player, the captain of the team, decided not to go for 10 minutes in the bin and forced himself to stay on and complete the game. This is 2024, we have technologies; unlike 20 years back, the game these days are live streamed, even off-season games are live streamed.
Your actions are recorded. Players should know better that you are playing because there are sponsors at the back who pump in money to establish such competitions. Players are role models to the kids in primary schools. Such ill-tempered action is bad for sponsors and not good for the competition and the sport, ambassadorial role aside. NRL and Super League are marketing their competitions because their players have standards and discipline on and off the field, which is paramount.
PNG intercity can be like the Indian Premier League in cricket where Australians, the English and South Africans go to play for local clubs. We can attract Fijians, Samoans and even few Australians to come play in our competition in future.
PNGRFL chief executive Stanley Hondian mentioned that apart from the women’s national competition, the national under-20s competition for the juniors will be established.
We are slowly building that structure that can rival the Australian and UK standards but our mindset needs to change to market our competition.
Some referees in our competition also lack confidence, which sometimes brings the wrath of fans and players.
Whether right or wrong, the referees must live by their decision with confidence so that you don’t give yourself away.

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Pilai Bilong Yumi’ is our commentary column which provides a perspective on important issues and matters in PNG sports.