Greg Bird says the bunker should not be able to rule on general play
BUTT out bunker. This is the message from firebrand Titans forward Greg Bird, who said the bunker should not be able to rule on general play.
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BUTT out bunker, you are only frustrating players and fans.
This is the message from firebrand Titans forward Greg Bird, who said the bunker should not be able to rule on general play.
Bird said the newly introduced review system should only be ruling on tries instead of making calls on some incidents in general play and not others.
The Titans were cruelled late in Sunday’s clash at Cronulla when an Andrew Fifita dropped ball was called a knock on, only for the bunker to interfere and rule a penalty.
The bunker also ruled a fair try to Ben Barba despite an obvious knock on in the lead-up.
The two crucial decisions were costly in a 25-20 loss.
The game also saw Bird charged with a grade two high tackle for a hit on James Maloney.
The Titans are likely to contest the charge, as Bird will miss one week even if he pleads guilty.
The bunker is seemingly increasing its number of rulings as the season progresses, reviewing general play action.
Adding to confusion, broadcasters are not showing the replays the bunker officials are viewing.
“It is frustrating that they step in sometimes and don’t step in other times,” Bird said.
“It should be a blanket rule, they don’t say anything or they ref the whole game.
“Obviously they can’t do the latter.
“It is frustrating. There were a couple of calls out there that were late.
“We were about to get the ball and it went the other way.
“That is the law of the land at the moment.”
The bunker is only meant to rule on action that results in a scrum.
Bird’s charge was a shock to the Titans, especially after Sharks players went out of their way to state Bird was innocent, even Maloney saying his Blues teammate did nothing wrong.
Cronulla captain Paul Gallen was also on Bird’s side.
“At the time, it didn’t look great but I don’t think it was a shoulder charge,” he said.
“I don’t think he’ll have much to answer, to be honest.”
Bird is in the running to return to the Australian side for their Test in early May.
He is battling Cowboy Gavin Cooper for a backrow spot. While Cooper has not been able to crack the Maroons side, he is in contention for the Kangaroos.
Cowboys five-eighth Michael Morgan is the front runner to be a bench utility with the Cowboys to contribute at least four players to the national team.
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