PNGNRL competition to introduce microphones for match officials

By JACK AMI
THE Papua New Guinea National Rugby League competition will introduce microphones for match officials in the 2018 season.
Manager Stanley Hondina, pictured, confirmed this at a press conference last Thursday.
Hondina said the microphones would be trailed during the PNGRFL National Super League Nines at Goroka over the weekend.
He said following the national 9s, the system would be used in the semi-professional Digicel Cup competition which starts next month.
Hondina said the system was costly but the benefits would be immense in helping improve referees and match officials ability to control fixtures and making the best decisions.
The electronic devices will be used by referees, touch judges and match officials as a quick clear line of communication when deliberating decisions and confirming plays in a quick and efficient manner.
“This is a big investment for our match officials which will help them make fairer decisions on the field,” Hondina said.
“These will help both the refs and touch judges to communicate through these wireless devices during the games.
“We are trying to raise the standard of the competition and we want to ensure that the games officials are equipped with these devices to also improve their duties and responsibilities.” PNGRFL chairman Sandis Tsaka said that any PNGRFL-sanctioned competition would only involve one referee following the International Rugby League Federation rules.
Tsaka said the two referees controlling the match was only used in Australia’s National Rugby League.