RateTheRef

Do any of our members who follow RL more closely than me know what is happening with Ben?
I see that for the last 6 rounds of matches, inc this coming weekend, he has not been appointed to Super League matches and either been confined to Championship games or video ref duties.
To me he is still an outstanding referee, one of our best, and far better than the likes of James Child who seems well in favour
I know he was suspended last year and the case against him dismissed. Surely the R L are not holding that against him
Anyone able to shed any light please?

He's also not been added to the elite panel list of referees for the Rugby League World Cup - I really don't understand why

If I recall correctly, NZ's elite referee Henry Peranara has had to retire due to heart problems - so, in theory, there's a position in the elite squad needing to be filled. But with Ben not, for whatever reasons, currently refereeing in England's Super League I think his chances are not good compared with, for instance, Child's. I would expect to see Tom Grant & Marcus Griffiths feature in due course.

Ben has been appointed to Huddersfield v Catalan later this week. So, hopefully, this sees his return without incident. Salford v Leeds last round tested HIcks' patience & the disciplinary committee seemed remarkably lenient.

And good to see he has Wakefield v St Helens this week.

I notice that for the next round of appointments Chris Kendall’s name is missing, and in fact was missing last weekend too. Kendall seems to be the RFL ‘s golden boy at present so wondered if anyone knew the reason for his non appearance. Similarly the excellent Gareth Hewer is missing again but this may be for work reasons at Sellafield