CAN you imagine the outcry there would have been had Russell Smith been named referee for the Giants' game at London Broncos tomorrow?
Although the Hull clash was a fortnight ago, it's safe to say Huddersfield fans are still fuming over the way it was handled by Smith.
Therefore, the fact Ronnie Laughton will take control at Griffin Park this weekend may please the Giants faithful.
And it may also have pleased staff at the McAlpine.
Head coach Jon Sharp has kept his feelings over Smith to himself. All an outburst would have done would have led to Sharp being charged by the RFL for bringing the game into disrepute.
But it is known that the Giants have gone through the official channels and contacted RFL referees' supremo Stuart Cummings over concerns they had over Smith's handling.
Both parties are anxious to keep those discussions under wraps and Cummings has remained tight-lipped over the issue when approached.
And it is unlikely the matter will go any further.
But the fact Smith is the man in the middle for tomorrow's game between Wakefield and Wigan suggests Cummings didn't think his referee's display was all that bad.
After all, Smith should have received guidance from his touchjudge over the forward pass which resulted in Hull's opening try.
And it was the video referee, and not Smith, who disallowed two Giants tries.
It's probably coincidence that Smith has officiated in all three matches Huddersfield have lost in Super League this season - against leading sides Leeds, Bradford and Hull - but it has caused some concern.
