KEY POINTS:
Referee Paul Simpkins won't be dropped this weekend despite NRL officials yesterday admitting he blundered in sending off New Zealand Warriors fullback Wade McKinnon.
The NRL's match review committee ruled McKinnon had no case to answer after he was marched by Simpkins for allegedly kneeing Wests Tigers forward Taniela Tuiaki on the ground in the final minute of the Warriors' 28-16 win on Sunday.
"Clearly he's made an error, but thankfully that error didn't play any part in the outcome of the game," NRL chief operating officer Graham Annesley said.
"He won't be relegated. He's one of our most experienced officials."
But Annesley suggested their stance might change if Simpkins made any further such errors.
Earlier this month, video referee Steve Nash was dropped after his controversial obstruction call denied McKinnon a crucial first-half try against North Queensland - a decision which had a significant bearing on the Warriors' loss.
Annesley admitted there was "conflict" between McKinnon and Simpkins on Sunday.
It escalated minutes earlier when McKinnon protested after being penalised for fighting on a touch judge's report when it appeared the Tigers' Chris Heighington threw the first punch.
Simpkins was heard telling McKinnon: "If you want to go on with that again, you'll be sitting on the sideline."
Annesley said there was every chance Simpkins, a test and State of Origin referee, would control a Warriors match again before season's end.
"We don't hide refs from clubs, and clubs can't request which referees they want."
Coach Ivan Cleary also escaped penalty for approaching Simpkins under the Campbelltown Stadium grandstand after the final whistle.
Simpkins told Annesley that Cleary knocked on his door and "cordially" asked for clarification of the McKinnon decision.
"The rules state referees should not be approached after the game but clearly it wasn't a serious incident. I'll be talking to the club and reminding them of the rules," Annesley said.
Cleary said he was very disappointed with the McKinnon decision.
"All I know is he got sent off for a knee when I didn't see a knee. It's an extremely big call to make in any game."
Cleary hoped referees weren't targeting the Warriors.
Simpkins awarded eight consecutive penalties to the Tigers in the second half on Sunday.
"It's going to be hard to win games down the track if you're on the end of such a harsh penalty count. Maybe there's some things we need to work on a bit," Cleary told Fox Sports.
"There's always a concern that a ref's decision might influence the game. But I've got confidence in the referees doing the job."
Warriors centre Jerome Ropati will also escape suspension despite being charged with a grade one dangerous throw on Tuiaki in the 71st minute.
An early guilty plea today will free him to play Newcastle in Auckland on Saturday.
Meanwhile, the Canberra Raiders were yesterday issued with a breach notice recommending a A$10,000 fine after coach Neil Henry said referee Jared Maxwell had a "pre-conceived idea" of how their match against Melbourne would go.
- NZPA
