Jimmy Smith says referee Ben Cummins is 'terrified' of Melbourne Storm players

Adam LuciusA leading rugby league figure has labelled referee Ben Cummins ‘terrified’ of NRL heavyweights Melbourne and called for a ban on him officiating Storm gamesIt comes after a number of decisions went Melbourne’s way during their narrow qualifying final win over Parramatta at AAMI Park on Saturday.The home side won the penalties 9-5, aided by a 6-1 count in their favour in the second half.“Ben Cummins should not referee another Melbourne Storm game. (He) looks absolutely terrified on the field,” Smith told Sky Sports Radio.“He is bereft of confidence and competence.“He is absolutely terrified and petrified when he officiates that team.“It was ridiculous yesterday.“I really felt for the Eels side. I don’t think it cost them the game but it made it really hard for them.”Smith can rest easy next weekend, with Storm earning the right to a week off before playing either Brisbane or Penrith in the grand final qualifier.Cummins is likely to be appointed head referee for one of the semi-final match-ups.

Replies

Wile E. Coyote September 10, 2017 at 10:17pm

Not sure how it did not cost us the game
We only lost by one penalty
Snakey - Sack Dylan Brown September 10, 2017 at 10:18pm

100% Spot on, heaps of the refs are, credit to Smith as a captain, he knows how to manipulate the refs, all part of being a good shrewd captain, same with Slater and Cronk, they manipulate them too..
- Wile E. Coyote > Snakey - Sack Dylan Brown September 10, 2017 at 10:20pm
  
  Agree
  Large part of training should be how to interact with refs
  We are very bad at it
- Glenn Lifetime Eel > Snakey - Sack Dylan Brown September 12, 2017 at 7:02pm
  
  Smith had a good talk to Cummins at half time walking to the sheds. It went something like this, Smith: "I left you some dinner in your change room. Do you get it."
  
  Cummins: "Not yet but thanks. Always enjoy your dinners you leave for me"
  
  Smith smiled as they parted, dinner delivered as promised.
Clive September 10, 2017 at 10:20pm

At least someone has now come out and said it. All of the butt kissing media are too scared to criticise the Storm filth.
BlacJac September 10, 2017 at 10:27pm

How come soo many people can see this but it is never dealt with & continues to occur?
If a business had continual issues raised by its customers wouldn't the management do everything in its power to investigate & fix the issues before further damage is caused??

NRL just seams so careless regarding so many big issues in the game & choose not to acknowledge or take any steps to try to improve their product.
- FME > BlacJac September 10, 2017 at 11:07pm
  
  Its because the NRL want Melbourne to be successful to justify their existence. Anything that helps the storm be successful the NRL have no problem with and will ignore any complaints about it.
Beer Baron September 10, 2017 at 10:29pm

Is there a link to this?
- AJAX > Beer Baron September 11, 2017 at 6:27am
  
  http://www.sportingnews.com/au/league/news/jimmy-smith-says-referee...
  
  Jimmy Smith says referee Ben Cummins is 'terrified' of Melbourne Storm players
  
  Terrified and petrified.
wazzamatta September 10, 2017 at 10:54pm

It all comes down to the ongoing war between NRL and AFL. When the Storm lose, the fans down there drop off and league suffers. It's within the NRL's best interest for the Storm to win. So they do. A lot.