Right call or robbed: The verdict on three contentious referee calls that left Warriors fuming
The Warriors have written to the NRL requesting a please explain over three contentious refereeing decisions that they believe decided the semi-final - but which calls were right and which were wrong.
The Warriors have demanded answers from the NRL after three calls in the latter stages of their finals loss to Newcastle at Eden Park ended their premiership dream.
Warriors fans were up in arms after the bunker overturned the on field decision to rule that Warriors centre Ali Leiataua had got a fingertip to the ball before it was knocked on by the Knights.
Their frustration was then compounded when the bunker backed a penalty awarded against Te Maire Martin for a strip.
They were tipped over the edge in the dying embers of the game when referee Ashley Klein elected not to penalise Tyson Frizell for what appeared to be an escort, a decision that cost the Warriors the chance to kick a penalty goal and send the game into extra time.
Warriors chief executive Cameron George has written to the NRL requesting a please explain over the three contentious decisions that cost his side the chance to keep their season alive on Sunday afternoon.
George confirmed he had spoken to the NRL on Monday morning and followed up with an email in the wake of his side’s controversial two-point loss to Newcastle, a defeat that cost them the chance to play in a preliminary final this weekend.
“We just want to understand (the decisions). It’s not going to change our result, but more to make them accountable moving forward,” George said.
The NRL was reviewing the footage on Monday but we decided to take our own look and make a call.
THE FINGER OF GOD
The Knights were clinging to a two-point lead with eight minutes remaining when captain Kalyn Ponga spotted an opportunity down the left hand side of the field.
He created an overlap for Bradman Best but the Newcastle centre wasn’t able to hold onto the ball and referee Ashley Klein ruled a Knights knock on.
Ponga’s reaction was immediate. He believed Warriors centre Leiataua had got a fingertip to the ball and initially signalled six-again before rushing over to Klein to request a captain’s challenge.
Bunker official Chris Butler took several looks before reaching the decision that Leiataua had in fact got a fingertip - or thumb - to the ball.
The fact Butler took so many looks had many questioning how the decision on the field could be overturned.
However, Ponga’s reaction and the slight deviation in the trajectory of the ball suggested that Leiataua did indeed get a touch, even if it was the slightest of slight.
WHAT NRL SAYS: Correct decision
WHAT WE SAY: Correct decision
TO STRIP OR NOT TO STRIP
The second contentious call came with five minutes to go while Newcastle was attempting to work its way off their own line.
Warriors captain Mitch Barnett had been caught on the last tackle about five metres from the Newcastle line and the ball was turned over.
Knights winger Greg Marzhew took the first carry and charged into the defensive line, where he was met by Barnett and Martin.
Martin bounced off the tackle and as he was falling to ground, his hand pulled the ball loose of Marzhew.
Klein instantly blew the whistle and awarded a penalty for a strip given there were two players in the tackle - Barnett still had a grip on Marzhew.
Warriors captain James Fisher-Harris asked the question of his teammates and then requested a captain’s challenge.
Butler was back in the game. In commentary for Fox League, Michael Ennis claimed it was a 50-50 decision as to whether it was a loose carry or a strip.
Butler backed the on-field decision, suggesting Martin had moved his fingers into a stripping motion after he was bumped off by Marzhew.
On second view, Ennis agreed with caller Andrew Voss that it was a loose carry.
WHAT NRL SAYS: Correct decision
WHAT WE SAY: Arguable, but a tough call on the Warriors
THE ESCORT
If the first two calls were contentious, the third was downright controversial. There was just over a minute remaining when Martin sent the ball skyward and Warriors players charged after it.
Leka Halasima had been a wrecking ball for his side but he wasn’t given an opportunity to challenge for the ball because Tyson Frizell got himself between the Warriors centre and Knights fullback Fletcher Sharpe, who came down with the ball to secure the game.
Frizell played it brilliantly. He never took his eyes off the ball and he had his arms in position to suggest he was contesting the kick.
It was a veteran play if ever there was one. Warriors winger Dallin Watene-Zelezniak wasn’t buying it. He immediately turned to Klein.
So did Fisher-Harris. Klein told him Frizell was standing his ground and ruled play on. In commentary, Ennis and Andrew Voss were apoplectic.
“That’s a penalty every day of the week,” Voss said.
Ennis added: “Golden point. It has to be a penalty.”
The Warriors lost their captain’s challenge when they contested the Marzhew strip. Even if they had one left, they may not have been able to use it given the circumstances.
Eden Park was up in arms.
WHAT NRL SAYS: Penalty
WHAT WE SAY: A clear penalty
Originally published as Right call or robbed: The verdict on three contentious referee calls that left Warriors fuming