Super League's referee brothers relishing top-flight berth after different trips
Refereeing is a family affair for Liam and Aaron Moore who are both now blowing the whistle in Betfred Super League.
It’s been nearly 25 years since twins Robert and John Connolly officiated in the same season in the top-flight.
And now the competition has another pair of siblings taking charge in the middle although their story is a bit different.
Liam Moore, 27, has already refereed a couple of Challenge Cup finals, the last two Old Trafford deciders and he is set to be in charge for England v France on Saturday.
But younger brother Aaron arrived on the Super League scene a little later - having been a player for League 1 North Wales Crusaders.
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Liam explained: “We both played rugby when we were younger. Aaron played at a much higher level than I did. I was more school rugby and, if I’m honest, I was a very average player at best!
“I thought I’d give refereeing a go, completely fell into it by accident and never thought I’d make a career of it.
“But Aaron carried on playing rugby for the academy at Salford and then first team at North Wales. It was a very different route to me but I’d started younger and progressed pretty quickly.
“Aaron started picking up while he was still playing. Then he had a decision to make.”
But what made Aaron quit playing to join forces with his referring brother?
He said: “Liam just said why didn’t I give it a go and, if anything, it’d just help me with the rules!
“That’s how it was at first but I got out, did a couple of games and really enjoyed it.
Liam Moore has established himself as one of Super League's top whistlers (PA)“I didn’t think I’d enjoy it as much and I was pretty nervous at first as it is so different to playing. But I got the bug for it. They always say with reffing it is a bug. I carried on doing both while playing semi-professionally at North Wales. And I just made the decision in the end that reffing was for me.”
So the former half-back is still operating in the middle but now making decisions of a different kind.
He officiated his first Super League game in 2021 and after being a touch judge at last year’s World Cup joined the RFL’s full-time list ahead of this season.
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Aaron, 25, added: “The lads were really supportive when I decided to quit playing and just ref. There were plenty of jokes flying about. I used to ref National Conference League on a Saturday and play League 1 on a Sunday so the lads would always be asking who I’d reffed the day before?
“I had a spell where I’d ref somewhere like Egremont up in Cumbria on a Saturday and then maybe York on Sunday. There was a lot of travelling but it was all worth it in the end.”
The brothers, who hail from Wigan, have always been close so they don’t mind now being work colleagues.
Liam added: “Now we’re both full-time, we train together in the week so we pick one another up in the morning, drop each other off on a night. It’s very much working together but as brothers as well it is great.
“I enjoy the training in the week and the work we do on preview and review. “But there’s nothing quite like the game day for me - the adrenalin of being on the games, making the decisions - that’s the bit I love about refereeing. “To be able to do it with your brother is even better. I take great pride in his development as well, coming into Super League and becoming a more established Super League referee.
“We’ve always been very competitive, whether that’s playing cricket in the back garden or football and that’s not really changed as we’ve got older. “Even now, I want Aaron to be the best he possibly can be and equally sometimes he pushes me a little bit more, certainly in training. He’s the fittest in the group in terms of the running.”
And does the younger sibling soon hope to be taking on his older brother for those big showpiece events?
Aaron admitted: “Absolutely. You want to do the big games. I’ve got no doubt I can get up there if I keep listening, keep learning - and if I get anywhere near him I’m doing well.”
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