According to reports from the Daily Telegraph, the NRL is set for its biggest referee cleanout in years, with a third of the competition’s full-time referees axed for the 2026 season.
Within the officials’ ranks, six referees will not have their contracts renewed beyond November 30, with one of those, Darian Furner, transitioning to a new role due to medical reasons.
Furner not being retained as a referee for 2026 is one of the few potential positives in what is otherwise a potentially worrying sign of things to come at NRL HQ.
Furner, 31, is sadly retiring from an on-field role for health reasons after being diagnosed with a brain tumour last year but in a positive move, was offered an NRL development position.
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The overhaul comes on the back of Brock Schaefer being appointed to oversee the entire referees’ program, from pathways through to the NRL.
Former referees boss Jared Maxwell will remain on the coaching staff, but his focus will shift to the bunker, with all signs pointing to mass changes under Schaefer’s leadership and the NRL’s new direction.
Such a high turnover will also see immense experience lost, with some of the departing officials having overseen international matches including games during the 2021 Rugby League World Cup.
There is no doubt that fresh referees will be appointed to fill the void, with the likes of Jarrod Cole from the QRL state league already making his NRL debut in Round 24 this year.
Those referees not offered contract extensions could still be appointed as casual sideline officials in the NRL or other areas of the game, but it remains to be seen whether that will be the case after such a mass exodus under new leadership.
With an average age of 40, there was always the potential for the NRL to move towards younger blood in the refereeing ranks.
“Just like any team, the NRL has a responsibility to create opportunities for new emerging talent and replenish the officiating squad to optimise performance,” an NRL spokesman told the Daily Telegraph.
The decisions are some of the biggest in years as far as the elite 17-man referees’ squad goes and have been met with mixed reactions across the game.
Some within the officials’ ranks have raised cost-cutting concerns, while others believe the game needs to usher in younger talent to ensure officiating continues at the highest level.
With referees under more scrutiny from the media, clubs, fans and players than ever before, the pressure will be on in 2026 for these changes to pay dividends.