NRL makes call on bunker drama that had Bennett fuming
George Clarke and Scott Bailey |
The NRL has backed its bunker over two contentious calls in South Sydney’s finals exit, after Wayne Bennett unloaded on the game’s video review system.
An irate Bennett declared on Friday night that “the quicker they get rid of the bunker, the happier I’ll be”, questioning who was actually refereeing the game.
The veteran coach’s main issue in the 20-10 loss to Newcastle came when Jayden Sullivan had a try chalked off midway through the second half.
Ashley Klein sent the decision up as a try but bunker official Chris Butler overruled the referee’s call, believing there was a knock-on by Souths winger Alex Johnston in the build-up.
And to add to Bennett’s frustration, Newcastle winger Dominic Young had a try awarded 10 minutes later.
Klein gave a try, and though Young’s foot appeared to have grazed the touchline at Allianz Stadium, Butler backed up the call made by the on-field referee.
A long-time critic of the bunker, Bennett claimed that highlighted an inconsistency in what video officials required to overturn a decision.
But AAP understands the NRL thoroughly reviewed both calls on Saturday, and are comfortable with the decisions made.
The league also moved to clarify that the on-field call only stood if the bunker had inconclusive or insufficient evidence to go upon.
Otherwise, video officials were required to make their own impartial call regardless of how tight the decision was.
“I want to know who’s refereeing the game. That’s the first thing I want to know. Is it the bunker, or is it the referee?”, Bennett asked on Friday night.
“It’s not where I want the game to be, personally.
“I’ve been in it a long time and seen a lot of things and I don’t think the bunker enhances our game to the amount of what we believe it does.
“I’m happy to live with the referee’s call. Always have been. Always will be. None of us are getting it right. The bunker doesn’t get it right either every time.”
Bennett, who warned the issue would continue to rumble on through the finals series, said he had no qualms with try decisions simply being determined by one on-field referee.
He also claimed lengthy bunker delays were a blight on the game as a television spectacle.
“What I can’t live with is this thing called the bunker that’s supposed to be 100 per cent perfect, but it’s not perfect,” the Bunnies coach said.
“One’s a try because the referee says it’s a try, the other one is no try because the bunker says it’s no try.”
The inconsistency in officiating added to a frustrating night for the Rabbitohs’ coach, who lost veteran five-eighth Cody Walker to a calf injury in the first half.
Johnston also hobbled off with a groin problem that forced Souths into a major reshuffle as they swam against the tide.
Walker is unsigned beyond November 1 but Bennett confirmed the 36-year-old, who has a history of calf issues, would play on in 2027.
“It’s the first game he’s missed all season so he’s done really well for us, so there’s no problems there. We’d like him back (in 2027),” Bennett said.
Walker’s old-teammate-turned-Knights-rival Dane Gagai, also backed the five-eighth to play on.
“I don’t think that’ll be his last game,” Gagai said.
“He’s got too much style for him.
“When you talk about competitors and I’ve played alongside him, he’s one of the best I’ve seen.”
AAP