The Daily Telegraph reported on Wednesday that Tony Archer’s five-year tenure as referees boss had come to an end with NRL CEO Todd Greenberg demoting Archer to a game development role.

Clubs and fans alike across the game have become frustrated with the interpretations of the officials.

Senior referees manager Bernie Sutton will now report directly to the NRL’s new Head of Football, Graham Annesley.

Annesley is , of course, one of the most respected former referees of the modern era.