The Lurker - NRL Rumour File - Friday

16:9. Lurker. Referee Gavin Badger

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Badgered

He made one of the biggest calls of the season last weekend to sin bin Roosters enforcer Jared Waerea-Hargreaves - and referee Gavin Badger has been dropped as a result.

In a disturbing sign that referee abuse is to be tolerated by the men in the middle, Badger has been relegated to a pocket referee this weekend.

Many thought Badger made the right call for binning Waerea-Hargreaves for giving him a gobful after a Knights try.

But consistency - or lack of it - is again the issue. Players abuse referees every minute of every game and get away with it.

The Roosters believe Waerea-Hargreaves is a marked man - and his singling out certainly supports that theory.

Coach Trent Robinson blew up after the match and referees boss Tony Archer has all but conceded he had every right to by dropping Badger.

Warriors fail to offload Nielsen

English club Hull FC dodged a bullet when it missed out on Warriors centre Dane Nielsen last week.

A former Queensland State of Origin centre, Nielsen is on a big money contract at the Warriors but the club would have been happy to see him go.

Nielsen has barely made a break since he joined the Warriors and while he is a solid defensive player, he lacks any zip in attack.

Recruitment has been a big problem for the Warriors over the years - as paying big dollars for Nielsen shows.

Hastings on the rise

They are keeping it quiet, but the Roosters are promoting boom halfback prospect Jackson Hastings to Newtown in the NSW Cup this weekend.

Hastings has been slaying them in the NYC for the Roosters and club officials want to see him run around in a tougher standard of football.

The 19-year-old son of club legend Kevin Hastings is an NRL player in waiting - and his progress in a tougher competition will be closely monitored.

Parish to the Dragons?

If Paul McGregor gets the Dragons job full-time - and indications are he will - don't be surprised to see Matt Parish join his staff.

Parish quit the Raiders to be closer to his family in Sydney last week and is on the lookout for a gig.

The two worked well together in the NSW Blues camp this season and are firm friends.

Expect McGregor to be appointed to the head role soon.

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