Referee Paul Simpkins Retires

NRL referee Paul Simpkins has followed in the footsteps of Steve Clark this week in deciding to call it quits.

Veteran Paul Simpkins walking away from the NRL Referee ranks to explore promotion in the NSW Police Force ranks.

The NRL will be forced to blood a stack of new referee talent in 2008 with the experienced Clark and now Simpkins walking away; the reshuffle pushes form referees Tony Archer and Shayne Hayne into the senior ranks and they will continue to control the big matches.

Simpkins has been in NRL referee circles since 1996 and while he reached his peak last year; controlling the 2006 NRL Grand Final - Simpkins lost his way late in 2007 when he let several games spiral out of control as he faced confidence issues.

Paul Simpkins leaves the referee ranks as the 4th most capped referee of all time after controlling a total of 284 games over 12 seasons of Rugby League.