The NRL’s Head of Football Graham Annesley has confirmed official Henry Perenara has been axed from the bunker after last night’s Roosters and Souths clash.

The ex-NRL player and referee has come under fire for the delay in taking action when Roosters centre Joseph Manu was hit high by Rabbitohs fullback Latrell Mitchell.

Mitchell was later sin-binned after the incident was reviewed, but Annesley admitted “the bunker took the wrong option of a sin bin and it should have resulted in a dismissal”.

Perenara’s now been relegated from tonight’s Eels and Storm clash and Annesley told The Continuous Call Team it’s the right decision to make.

“Henry was due to officiate on one of the games later today,” he said.

“That won’t be happening, he has been relegated from that game.

“What happens beyond this weekend we haven’t turned our mind to at this stage.

“Certainly based on what happened last night, our expectations and also the pressure that is on him today as a result of last night, it would not have been the right thing to have him officiate tonight.”

Mitchell’s been charged with a grade two reckless high tackle charge and is facing a six-game penalty with an early guilty plea, and nine matches if he unsuccessfully fights it.

Manu is undergoing emergency surgery for a depressed fracture cheekbone at a Brisbane Hospital.

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Image: NRL.