Former Penrith, New South Wales and Australian legend John Cartwright has been sensationally accused of influencing the referee by an opposing coach in the Super League.
Following his side’s 16-10 loss to Cartwright’s Hull FC on Thursday night, Wakefield Trinity head coach Daryl Powell said he believed Cartwright ‘influenced’ match referee James Vella.
Specifically, Powell suggested the referee may have been influenced by comments made by Cartwright as the players made their way from the field after the first 40 minutes with Wakefield leading 10-0.
“I didn’t like what happened at half time with the referee, the influence of walking up and down saying how much the penalty count is,” Powell told Sky Sports post-match.
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“(The penalty count) was 8-0 in the second half, I think Hull deserved to win on their second half performance, but I’ve never seen a game like it to be honest,” he continued.
“John’s walking up and down, influencing the referee.
“It happens, I get it, I’ve done it in the past, but I don’t think it should work—the game completely flipped on its head.
“We’ve not got a penalty in the second half, they didn’t get one in the first, I don’t get it, it’s disappointing.”
‘He’s one to talk!’
For his part, 59-year-old Cartwright fired straight back accusing Powell of hypocrisy.
“Did Daryl say that?” Cartwright asked when told of Powell’s comments.
“He’s one to talk, isn’t he!
“I didn’t influence the referee, I didn’t talk to the referee at all, I didn’t say a word.”
Cartwright signed with Hull FC at the start of the 2025 Super League season, having served as an assistant coach at the Brisbane Broncos for several years under Kevin Walters.
He was also the inaugural Gold Coast Titans head coach, guiding the Queensland club for 186 NRL games between 2007 and 2014.
Daryl Powell accusing John Cartwright of influencing the referee. pic.twitter.com/gQ7t2y0xoS
— Sky Sports Rugby League (@SkySportsRL) July 11, 2025