St Helens & Wigan coaches criticise officials after defeats

Coaches Mike Rush and Shaun Wane have criticised officials after weekend defeats for St Helens and Wigan.

Rush was unhappy with referee Thierry Alibert after Saints' 33-32 defeat at Wakefield on Sunday.

Meanwhile, Warrington were allowed to score a try against Wane's Wigan after what appeared to be a forward pass.

Make the referee's job easier...

Jack Dearden BBC Radio Manchester

"Nobody expects referees to get every decision right. That would be unrealistic. What is expected is that they do spot the blatantly obvious. I'm not sure they have done that recently.

"When people like Mike Rush, Shaun Wane and (Catalan Dragons coach) Trent Robinson all voice dissatisfaction with the officials, then it is surely time for someone not only to take notice, but to take action.

"I think the time has come for a serious look at some of the problems. I have felt for some time that the refs have got a bit too much to do at times.

"Maybe they could be helped by simplifying some of the rules. But for the time being, let's concentrate on getting the basics right. A forward pass has always been a forward pass, hasn't it?"

"It was unbelievable. I get a phone call every week apologising and I'm sick of apologies," the Warriors coach told BBC Radio Manchester.

St Helens interim coach Rush accused Alibert of losing control of his side's game against the Wildcats.

"I've voiced my opinion on Thierry," Rush told BBC Radio Merseyside. "Every time we have him, we have a game like that.

"We want quick rucks and there was one incident in the first half where Lance Hohaia makes a break, he gives the ball to Jonny (Lomax) and Jonny's tackled before he catches the ball.

"He then goes down and they're allowed to get 13 men behind the ball before we play it. You're having a laugh."

Although Wane has been unhappy with the consistency of refereeing in recent weeks, he said Steve Ganson's decision to award Joel Monaghan's try on Saturday had no bearing on his side's final result.

"There were other things that happened in that game and that wasn't the reason why we lost," Wane continued.

"I had a discussion with the RFL [Rugby Football League] after the Challenge Cup semi-final. They apologised and said three tries shouldn't have been allowed.

"We'd have been at Wembley, although we didn't deserve to win that day either.

"It's upsetting and demoralising for me as a coach, but I'm just saying what every Super League coach is going through. The inconsistency is absolutely blowing my mind."