Leigh Leopards Owner Backs Captain’s Challenge in Super League
Leigh Leopards owner Derek Beaumont has voiced his strong support for the introduction of a ‘Captain’s Challenge’ in Super League. The outspoken club owner made the comments during a recent interview with the team’s media channel.
Beaumont’s remarks come in the wake of his frequent criticism of refereeing decisions in Super League this season. When asked about his stance on the potential implementation of a Captain’s Challenge, he responded emphatically, stating, >”One million percent (I back it). I’m pretty certain you will see that from next year and I think the intention was to actually have it this year with every game on Sky and having a video referee at every game.”
The Leigh owner elaborated on his reasoning, explaining that while there were initial concerns about the availability of sufficient camera angles, he believes the system would still be worthwhile to implement. >”With a captain’s call, it can be called from anywhere on the field. For me, I would still have done it anyway and if the footage then proved to be inconclusive, you would stick with the on-field call. It’s as simple as that,” he told Leopards TV.
Beaumont argues that the Captain’s Challenge would not only benefit the teams but also support the match officials. >”I think it is massively important for the referees and it would help them too. They don’t get things wrong on purpose, they make mistakes like all of us, they give what they see,” he said.
The Leigh owner’s comments come shortly after footage emerged that appeared to show a missed knock-on prior to a try in his team’s narrow 16-14 defeat to Warrington Wolves. Beaumont believes the new system would help address such incidents, stating, >”They can’t always see what players might have seen from where they are and the touch judges might not have seen either. They are never going to be perfect. I think the rule helps them become perfect. You can use them five, six or seven times a game if you keep getting it right. I don’t see any disadvantage against it.”
Leigh Leopards will face a tough test this weekend as they host the league-leading Catalans Dragons side.
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