The Blind Mole #2 - The Referees' Poll Questions You Didn't See

Another story so exclusive it may not have even happened yet...

The controversial referees' poll was revealed recently by Rugby League Week magazine and caused quite a stir in the NRL with revelations that the whistleblowers found Brett Finch to be the biggest sook in the game, Michael Crocker to be the dirtiest player, and Justin Hodges to be the biggest sledger, amongst other things.

However The Blind Mole can today reveal some of the questions considered for the poll but later deemed to be just too controversial. Questions that would have the referees looking for a place to hide. Following are a few examples:

1. Do you think that your colleague Shayne Hayne has ever considered changing his name, and if so, why?

a) No way. Why would he? It's the best name in League.

b) Yes, he was going to change it to Jarryd Hayne in order to make himself more popular with the ladies.

c) Yes, he was going to change it because players always tease him and shout 'Shayne Hayne, what a pain, he's too vain for our game!'

2. Did Bill Harrigan make mistakes as the video referee in this year's State of Origin series?

a) No. Bill Harrigan is a god. He's the refereeing equivalent of Wally Lewis,
only he's really good looking as well. I love him.

b) Maybe. I would need to have a look at about 37 more replays from 25 different angles before I could make a decision. But that, of course, does not necessarily mean that I would rule a benefit of the doubt try. What people don't understand is that sometimes it's that 37th replay that shows exactly what happened.

c) Yes. Huge mistakes. Sometimes I'm not sure if he's watching the game or looking in the mirror. And other times I am sure, because I catch him looking in the mirror.

3. Do you sometimes award penalties for stripping even though you don't really have a clue if the ball was stripped or if it was simply a loose carry?

a) Of course not. Well, maybe sometimes

b) I saw that clearly as a strip, the penalty is against you. Holy crap did anybody see that replay? Geez he just knocked that on cold, didn't he? Oh well too late now...

c) Look if you keep asking me questions like that you know what I'm going to have to do. I don't want to take the next step but I won't hesitate to if I have to. One more question like that and I'll have no choice. I know you know what I'm talking about so you better fix it mate and have a word with your team... I'm talking about using the Sin Bin! Oh who am I kidding? We all know I won't use it. Just don't do it again okay.

4. What is your opinion of the two referees system?

a) There are two referees? Nobody told me.

b) Look I don't think you can go out there and concentrate on the fact there's another ref. You just have to ref your own game rather than focusing on what he may or may not be doing. If you get your own backyard in order, the rest follows I think. Yeah I basically never have a clue what the other bloke is supposed to be doing.

c) My only problem with it is that there's a second referee on the field. Other than that it's a very good system.