BY STAFF WRITERS

NRL head of football Graham Annesley has come out in defense of the game’s officials after a sensational blast from the CEO of the New Zealand Warriors’ major sponsor on Twitter after the Warriors went down to the Penrith Panthers 18-6.

Several calls went the Panthers way during the match with many Warriors fans blasting the referee’s performance including Kiwi legend Issac Luke.

“I’ll be measured as much as I can be – I’m a bit hot under the collar over this stuff,” Annesley said in his Monday briefing.

“These [calls] were the ones that seemed to attract most of the attention – we have to look at the facts. I don’t have a problem with anyone forming their own opinion about whether these are right or wrong but all it is, is difference in opinion.

“Now, I can go through each of these incidents and I can mount a case to say in each case the referee was justified or the Bunker was justified in the decision they reached.

“We have to remember what we’re trying to do in this game and that is we’re trying to make sure that we improve officiating, we’re trying to make sure that the game is as open and as attractive for people to watch as possible, we want the game to be successful.

“It’s not going to be successful if some of the things that may have been said in the media get any traction and bring the game into disrepute.”

Among several tweets on Saturday afternoon, a furious One New Zealand CEO Jason Paris took aim at the NRL.

“Are you kidding me? How biased are the NRL bunker and referees against the NZ Warriors? Have they got money on them to lose? It’s like we are permanently against 14 on the field and they want us to play with 12. Huge courage from the boys.”

Former Warrior Issac Luke, who played 43 Tests for New Zealand, tweeted: “Man NRL straight playing up with some calls in this game.”

The Warriors have lost their last three in tight tussles to heavyweights Melbourne, Roosters and the Panthers.

They play the Bulldogs at Homebush on Friday night.