It has absolutely divided opinion Down Under, but Super League, in its infinite wisdom, has decided to adopt the Captain’s Challenge in the 2025 season.

The first thing I should say is that there are plenty of fans who particularly like this idea and I’ve had it explained to me by one such supporter why he thinks it is a good idea, giving me the supporter’s perspective, saying about how many times fans get wound up by decisions made by the man in the middle, or his fellow officials in the video booth and on the touchline, which is absolutely right.

But, for me, this goes deeper than that, because I believe it calls into question the integrity of match officials, it displays a lack of trust in their judgement and, once again like many other ‘innovations’ it slows the game down and takes the live out of live sport.

As a print journalist myself, the effect this has on me is also no laughing matter. In my line of work, at a match I am constantly trying to keep up with absolutely everything that is happening on the pitch, to try and put my readers in the middle of what has happened on the pitch and provide an accurate narrative.

During my years in the press box, I have had to contend with the video referee, the rampantly abused ‘Six Again’ and other developments, which has warning lights flashing regarding this new development.

What we do know is that players have worked out various ways to abuse certain developments, particularly the six again rule, and my fear is that this latest addition to the rules will also end up being abused, not that I can blame the players/captains, it is after all, just human nature, but it does also slow the game down and could indeed lead to referees questioning themselves, not being confident in their own ability and while it’s good to be able to hold them to account, does this not just point to a more entrenched issue, regarding trust and also abuse of power and players taking advantage in certain circumstances. In other words, is it not just very sad that we’ve got to a stage where the powers that be feel this is necessary, especially given the controversy that it has attracted in the NRL for the last five years?

Written by Ian Judson (site contributor & Hull FC fan)