Widnes coach Denis Betts fined for criticising referee
Wednesday 11 May 2016 22:47, UK
Widnes coach Denis Betts has picked up a fine of £500 and warned over his future conduct after he criticised a referee.
Betts described Joe Cobb's display in his side's 18-16 Super League home defeat by Wakefield last month as the "worst refereeing performance I've seen in 30 years".
A Rugby Football League tribunal found the new England assistant coach guilty of improper conduct and ordered that £250 of the fine be suspended until the end of the 2017 season.
The announcement comes just a week after Huddersfield coach Paul Anderson was similarly punished for questioning the role of Cobb in his side's defeat at Wigan.
Meanwhile, Widnes have signed 24-year old prop forward Jack Buchanan from Wests Tigers on a 18-month contract, subject to him gaining a visa.
Buchanan became the youngest starting front rower in the NRL when he made his debut for the Tigers against Newcastle in 2013 and has gone on to make 41 appearances for the Sydney club.
Betts said: "Jack is a young, big front rower with a great engine. He has significant NRL experience and is ready to make his mark, looking to establish himself as a starting front rower and wants to do that here at Widnes.
"Again this is a big statement from us as a club. Jack is an enthusiastic player that wants to come here and progress his career making himself into a better player. He is a great signing for us."
