LeagueNews.co | Robbie Hamilton
Jon Wilkin has criticized the impact of the video referee on Super League games, describing it as "a syringe that sucks atmosphere out of the stadium" due to prolonged checks and delays.
Reports from Sky Sports highlight that some matches have exceeded two hours because of video referee interruptions.
As Magic Weekend approaches in Newcastle, airing on May 3 and 4, Wilkin has voiced his concerns about the frequent recourse to the video referee, particularly in light of recent events.
He was particularly critical of the red cards issued during Hull KR's victory over Leeds Rhinos and how these interruptions affect the game's flow.
The time spent on video reviews has surged following the introduction of the Captain's Challenge.
This allows each team to challenge on-field decisions, with outcomes being either a successful challenge, where the team retains their challenge and the call is overturned; inconclusive, where the original decision stands, but the challenge is retained; or unsuccessful, where they lose both the challenge and the call.
During round nine of Super League, there were multiple instances where a Captain's Challenge was soon followed by another check on a try, further contributing to the delays and raising questions about the increasing role of the video referee in games.