National Rugby League Head of Football Todd Greenberg has "promised to spend the coming month reviewing the powers of the video referee amid claims" from premiership-winning coach Ricky Stuart that the "scourge of diving will eventually cost a team a grand final," according to Read & Honeysett of THE AUSTRALIAN. Greenberg emerged from a four-hour meeting with 14 of the 16 NRL coaches at Rugby League Central on Wednesday "intent on addressing an issue that has become a blight on the game." Greenberg said, "We talked more generally about the use of technology in the game and when you should use it or shouldn't. There is no change under the current model but it is something I agreed with the coaches to look at to see if there is an opportunity to review our current practices." Several coaches have "spoken out against the practice of diving, which has become more prevalent with the increased powers of the video referee." Aside from diving, the coaches were also "given a timeline for changes to the interchange system" (THE AUSTRALIAN, 4/30).
GREAT FOR THE GAME: In Sydney, Phil Lutton reported NRL coach Tim Sheens "may not heartily agree" but NRL CEO Dave Smith "insists an era of New Zealand dominance" can only bolster the int'l game at a time when it continues to strive for relevance next to the "goliath of Origin football." Smith was "reluctant to discuss negotiations" around the next broadcast deal but the int'l rugby league seems "certain to take a starring role, despite just one outing for the Kangaroos" in '15. Smith: "It's great for the game. Anything that is close and competitive is great for the game. One thing is for sure ... there will be some fireworks on Friday night" (SYDNEY MORNING HERALD, 4/29).
