NZ Warriors coach Andrew Webster has warned his players to show appropriate respect to underfire referee Kasey Badger, when she presides over their clash with Sydney Roosters on Sunday.
Badger, 37, has copped onfield abuse and a subsequent social media barrage this week, after her performance during the Wests Tigers-Canterbury Bulldogs fixture, when she placed six players on report for a variety of charges.
Wests forward David Klemmer copped a $3000 fine for contrary conduct, when he stood over Badger to intimidate her during an onfield flare-up, while Bulldogs second-rower Sam Hughes suffered the same penalty for making contact with the official.
The incidents have brought protection of game officials into the spotlight and Webster is very clear he won't tolerate any repeat from his players this week.
"Treat the referees on their merit," he said. "Kasey's a very capable referee, the NRL wouldn't have her there, if they didn't think so.
"You've got to show the right level of respect to everyone - referees, touch judges, any official, fellow teammates, opposition. It's commonsense how you need to treat other people.
"It's a good thing for the game seeing all sexes - male and female - get an opportunity to referee in the NRL."
Badger has been a pioneer in terms of women rugby league referees, promoted to the NRL panel alongside Belinda Sharpe under the dual-official format in 2019, taking charge of three NRLW Grand Finals and becoming the first woman to preside over a men's Rugby League World Cup fixture in 2022.
Last September, she was the second woman to referee an NRL game solo, after Sharpe became the first two days earlier.
"There's emotions and it's not that easy at times, so I can understand it," reflected Webster. "You have to address them and ask them questions in the right way.
"You are allowed to approach the referee, whether they're male or female, and ask them questions about what they've seen and why things have happened, but the players have a duty of care to make sure they communicate in the right way with the referees."
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