Super League: Daryl Powell accuses Hull FC boss John Cartwright of ‘influencing referee’; Cartwright: He’s one to talk! | Rugby League News
Wakefield coach Daryl Powell accused Hull’s counterpart John Cartwright of having influenced referee James Vella after Trinity was wasted a 10-0 lead to lose 16-10 in the East Yorkshire.
Wakefield took care of the competition in the first half, but the tables were shot after the break while Zak Hardaker, Jordan Rapana and Lewis Martin all got on in the space of a dozen minutes to give Hull their first home victory in almost a year.
Even if Powell blamed the loss of Wakefield on their second half performance, he suspects that Vella could have been affected by what he heard from Cartwright while the players were heading for the tunnel at the interval.
“I did not like what happened at halftime with the referee, the influence of going up and down saying how much the number of sanctions is,” said Powell Sky Sports post-match.
“It is [penalty count] 8-0 in the second half. I think Hull deserves to win on performance in the second half, but I have never seen a game like that to be honest.
“I think the influence as it is not great. John goes up and go down, influencing the referee. It happens, I understand. I did it in the past, but I don’t think it should work. It worked and the game is completely returned to the head.
“I think that part of this is Hull, part of this does not understand. We have no penalty in the second half, they did not have in the first. What is the flow of the game? I do not understand. It is disappointing.”
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Highlights of the confrontation of Hull FC with Wakefield Trinity in Super League
Cartwright vehemently denied the complaint after Hull exceeded Wakefield in sixth in the table.
Cartwright told Media: “Did Daryl said that? He’s talking, isn’t it! I didn’t influence the referee, I didn’t talk to the referee at all. I did not say a word to the referee.”
When asked if he could have said something that could have been heard by Vella, Cartwright said: “It’s another story. I did not speak to the referee.
“We did not get anything in the first half. We did not have a penalty or six to go. I questioned our players on the fights in the ruck when they mounted the tunnel.”
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John Cartwright welcomed his players’ efforts to end their home victories sequence
Hull had lost 11 and drew one since their last report at the MKM stadium on July 20 of last year, their eight previous victories in 2025 being on the road to keep their hopes for a finish among the first six.
A relieved cartwright added: “You can talk about everything you don’t like to be there, but that’s it. The fact is that we hadn’t won a home game for a long time. I’m really happy that we don’t have to talk about it.”
Results and lighting of the Ligue Round 18 (all live on Sky Sports)
Thursday July 10
Friday July 11
- 7:30 p.m.: Leeds Rhinos vs St Helens (kick -off at 8 p.m.)
- 8 p.m.: Wigan Warriors vs Huddersfield Giants
Saturday July 12
- 3 p.m.: Leigh Leopards vs hull kr
- 6 p.m.: Catalans Dragons vs Warrington Wolves
Sunday July 13
- 3 p.m.: Salford Red Devils vs Castleford Tigers
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