Opinion
The bunker is getting it all wrong. These are the changes it needs
Andrew Johns
League columnistAnother round, another week of talking about the bunker. But how do we actually solve the problems of video technology? Do we even need to change it?
It’s one of my biggest frustrations with the modern game, how much we use the bunker, and when we do, what it’s used for. It’s driving me crazy.
So, what do we do to make it more palatable for fans?
First, we need to change the people manning the bunker. Every week, a cast of thousands rotates through the bunker and there are so many different people assigned to games, naturally you’re going to have slightly different interpretations, and hence some inconsistency.
Why don’t we have a two-person rotation? They can be highly skilled operators who specialise in bunker rulings and do four games each week. Is that too much to ask? I wouldn’t think so.
It also saves our referees from juggling both the physical and mental demands of being out in the middle in games each weekend, and in some cases having to travel interstate to be in the bunker later in the round.
Wests Tigers captain Api Koroisau is sent to the sin bin.Credit: Getty Images
Second, we need to rethink how it’s actually used. I would argue the bunker should be used in general play for send-off situations. That’s it. Nothing else.
For try-scoring situations – and this is my biggest bugbear – we should use super slow-motion replays only to see if a ball or player has stayed in the field of play. For obstruction calls or potential knock-ons when it comes to grounding, play it at normal speed. Get an agreement with the broadcasters they can only do that, too. If it looks like a try, it’s usually a try. I’m sick of the super slow-mo angles showing a ball coming away from a try-scorer’s hand a millimetre from the ground, and we find a way to disallow it. It’s ridiculous.
I haven’t been able to fathom the sin bins for Api Koroisau and Roger Tuivasa-Sheck in the past couple of weeks. I dare say if the bunker hadn’t been involved, those sin bins would not have happened. It’s having an enormous effect on the flow of matches.
I’m not here to blow up the bunker, but it needs significant change.
Spotlight on Slater selections
For once, Queensland are the team under the pump going into a crucial State of Origin match, and all the media is talking about is their selections. It’s a lovely change for a NSW fan.
It’s one thing to come back from 1-0 down to win an Origin series, it’s another when the deciding game is at Suncorp. It’s rare for NSW to win a game three in Brisbane, but trust me, to do it up there is the sweetest feeling. I rate it as highly as winning a grand final. That’s what these NSW players must remember.
Queensland coach Billy Slater has to make changes. I can’t see how he doesn’t. If I was in his shoes, I’d be looking at the right edge. They denied Latrell Mitchell was inside their heads before game two, but what will they say now?
They allowed too many gaps around Daly Cherry-Evans and Valentine Holmes for the Blues to exploit through Angus Crichton and Mitchell.
I’d bring Selwyn Cobbo straight back into the team and play him in the centres. Get him to eyeball Mitchell from the other side of the field and say, “Do your best”.
We know the freakish ability Cobbo has but, more importantly, it gives the Maroons a similar body shape to try to control Mitchell in defence. You could even move Holmes to the wing, given Xavier Coates is out.
Without a doubt, they have to find a spot for David Fifita in the squad. He can terrorise NSW’s defence and give them pause for thought when they’re strategising.
It will be fascinating to see how Queensland handle the spotlight being focused on them for the game three selections.
Mitchell Moses and the Eels are struggling near the bottom of the ladder.Credit: Getty Images
At a loss over form
I took one look at the two teams on paper for Thursday night’s game and thought: how the hell are these clubs in the bottom four? I’m sure Parramatta and South Sydney fans are thinking the same.
Have the Eels forgotten how to win? You could certainly ask that question after their loss to the Knights in Newcastle on Saturday, although it was probably the match of the round. They were undone only by two long-range Bradman Best tries against the run of the play off errors. I still think the form will stack up out of the game.
With a bit of wet weather around, it will hamper the way both teams play. The big plus for Parramatta is Mitchell Moses’ kicking game, but the key to ending their run of outs is to win all the little effort areas and cut out the mistakes holding them back.
They should take note of one of rugby league’s oldest sayings: don’t pass the ball unless a teammate is in a better position than you.
They’re really missing J’maine Hopgood’s workrate in the middle of the park and his ability to create second-phase play with an offload. Shaun Lane is back in the middle, and he’ll have a task trying to create that extra attack for the home side.
If you give South Sydney and Cody Walker set starts, they will destroy you. But it won’t be easy for the Rabbitohs who come off the bye and will be hoping that hasn’t stifled their rhythm.
The big change for them has been having Walker at halfback and Jack Wighton at five-eighth. Cameron Murray has played only one game for Souths since returning from injury, but he showed in Origin II what a champion he is.
It’s fascinating they’ve gone with Keaon Koloamatangi in the middle again. He’s been rejuvenated since making the switch and no doubt Murray will be happy to take one for the team there.
All eyes will be on Mitchell again. He’s such an infectious personality. When he’s up, the group is up. If he’s smiling, his teammates are smiling. They’re such a dangerous team when he’s on song.
Maybe the key to this game is the Eels getting more out of Dylan Brown. His running game complements Moses and Clint Gutherson, but I still think Parramatta need him to go to another level. He loves the double left-foot step, and watch for him challenging the tiring South Sydney markers.
The key match-up in this game is between the two No.7s – Moses versus Walker. Two highly skilled and competitive players with short fuses. It might be worth the price of admission alone.
Joey’s tip: Eels by 2
First try-scorer: Dylan Brown
Man of the match: Mitchell Moses
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