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ROBERT Finch has finally had enough and will step down as NRL referees coach at the end of the season. After a turbulent eight-year reign overseeing the refereeing ranks, The Daily Telegraph can reveal Finch will walk away after the October 3 grand final. The constant public and media scrutiny on referees has taken a toll on the former St George centre.
Poor on-field performances by referees this year have not helped Finch's enthusiasm for the job.
NRL match review committee chairman Greg McCallum is favoured to take over the role, although fellow former referees Bill Harrigan and Steve Clark will also be contenders for one of the toughest jobs in the game.
Just yesterday, Finch had to yet again apologise for a refereeing blunder at the weekend.
Video referee Sean Hampstead has since been sacked from first grade for his error in awarding a try to Roosters centre Shaun Kenny-Dowall despite Sea Eagles centre Steve Matai being tackled without the ball in the same movement.
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The NRL is yet to officially be told that Finch will step down.
NRL chief operating officer Graham Annesley said: "We haven't addressed the issue regarding the referees coach
After a turbulent eight-year reign overseeing the refereeing ranks, The Daily Telegraph can reveal Finch will walk away after the October 3 grand final. The constant public and media scrutiny on referees has taken a toll on the former St George centre.
Poor on-field performances by referees this year have not helped Finch's enthusiasm for the job.
NRL match review committee chairman Greg McCallum is favoured to take over the role, although fellow former referees Bill Harrigan and Steve Clark will also be contenders for one of the toughest jobs in the game.
Just yesterday, Finch had to yet again apologise for a refereeing blunder at the weekend.
Video referee Sean Hampstead has since been sacked from first grade for his error in awarding a try to Roosters centre Shaun Kenny-Dowall despite Sea Eagles centre Steve Matai being tackled without the ball in the same movement.
The NRL is yet to officially be told that Finch will step down.
NRL chief operating officer Graham Annesley said: "We haven't addressed the issue regarding the referees coach
beyond this season. We have said openly to Robert that we will discuss it at the end of the season."
Finch has the full support of the referees but some privately feel it is time for a change after eight years.
The major issue confronting the NRL will be whether they appoint a former referee or an ex-first grade coach as Finch's replacement.
It's possible two of the three former referees, current NRL match review committee chairman McCallum, referees coaching assistant Harrigan and referee reviewer Clark, could work together in a partnership.
McCallum had six successful years as referees boss in the English Super League.
Harrigan and Clark are respected in the refereeing ranks, Harrigan adjudicating a record 10 grand finals.
ROBERT Finch has finally had enough and will step down as NRL referees coach at the end of the season. After a turbulent eight-year reign overseeing the refereeing ranks, The Daily Telegraph can reveal Finch will walk away after the October 3 grand final. The constant public and media scrutiny on referees has taken a toll on the former St George centre.
Poor on-field performances by referees this year have not helped Finch's enthusiasm for the job.
NRL match review committee chairman Greg McCallum is favoured to take over the role, although fellow former referees Bill Harrigan and Steve Clark will also be contenders for one of the toughest jobs in the game.
Just yesterday, Finch had to yet again apologise for a refereeing blunder at the weekend.
Video referee Sean Hampstead has since been sacked from first grade for his error in awarding a try to Roosters centre Shaun Kenny-Dowall despite Sea Eagles centre Steve Matai being tackled without the ball in the same movement.
Start of sidebar. Skip to end of sidebar.
End of sidebar. Return to start of sidebar.
The NRL is yet to officially be told that Finch will step down.
NRL chief operating officer Graham Annesley said: "We haven't addressed the issue regarding the referees coach
After a turbulent eight-year reign overseeing the refereeing ranks, The Daily Telegraph can reveal Finch will walk away after the October 3 grand final. The constant public and media scrutiny on referees has taken a toll on the former St George centre.
Poor on-field performances by referees this year have not helped Finch's enthusiasm for the job.
NRL match review committee chairman Greg McCallum is favoured to take over the role, although fellow former referees Bill Harrigan and Steve Clark will also be contenders for one of the toughest jobs in the game.
Just yesterday, Finch had to yet again apologise for a refereeing blunder at the weekend.
Video referee Sean Hampstead has since been sacked from first grade for his error in awarding a try to Roosters centre Shaun Kenny-Dowall despite Sea Eagles centre Steve Matai being tackled without the ball in the same movement.
The NRL is yet to officially be told that Finch will step down.
NRL chief operating officer Graham Annesley said: "We haven't addressed the issue regarding the referees coach
beyond this season. We have said openly to Robert that we will discuss it at the end of the season."
Finch has the full support of the referees but some privately feel it is time for a change after eight years.
The major issue confronting the NRL will be whether they appoint a former referee or an ex-first grade coach as Finch's replacement.
It's possible two of the three former referees, current NRL match review committee chairman McCallum, referees coaching assistant Harrigan and referee reviewer Clark, could work together in a partnership.
McCallum had six successful years as referees boss in the English Super League.
Harrigan and Clark are respected in the refereeing ranks, Harrigan adjudicating a record 10 grand finals.
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