Confusion reigns over referee contact

The NRL's continued crackdown on contact with referees has become littered with inconsistencies and confusion in the second round of the premiership.

Canterbury prop David Klemmer is expected to take his grade one charge to the NRL judiciary at Rugby League Central on Wednesday night, with the Bulldogs said to be fuming over the charge which resulted from slight contact with referee Ben Cummins.

Klemmer placed his hand on the shoulder of Cummins, who had blown a penalty against Bulldogs prop Tim Browne, in the second half of their win over Penrith at Pepper Stadium on Thursday night.

In the same match Jamie Soward appeared to accidentally knock over second referee Adam Devcich but was not charged by the match review committee.

Footage has also emerged of Panthers forward Trent Merrin touching Cummins but the NSW back-rower also escaped censure.

Brisbane centre James Roberts is another player who might face trouble after making slight contact with a referee, this time in the Broncos' win over the Warriors at Suncorp Stadium on Friday night.

The match review committee will release their findings into that match and the other games played in round two on Monday afternoon.