NRL 2021: Video ref in spotlight as NRL admits Cowboys were on the end of dud call against Sharks

Amid a maelstrom of controversy over the game’s high-shot crackdown, the NRL have conceded the Cowboys should never have been reduced to 12 men against the Sharks on Friday night.

TOWNSVILLE, AUSTRALIA - JUNE 18: Reece Robson of the Cowboys passes the ball during the round 15 NRL match between the North Queensland Cowboys and the Cronulla Sharks at QCB Stadium, on June 18, 2021, in Townsville, Australia. (Photo by Ian Hitchcock/Getty Images)

The video referee who controversially ordered Cowboys hooker Reece Robson to be sin-binned will be asked for a ‘please explain’ by the NRL.

Amid a maelstrom of controversy over the game’s high-shot crackdown, NRL head of football Graham Annesley has stepped forward to admit the decision to sin-bin Robson in the Cowboys narrow-loss to Cronulla on Friday night was wrong.

A high shot by Robson on Sharks prop Aiden Tolman brought the game to a grinding halt, with video match review official in the Bunker, Matt Noyen, telling referee Peter Gough the Cowboys deserved 10 minutes off the field after making high, direct and forceful contact, even though Tolman fell into what was going to be a low tackle.

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Reece Robson sahould not have been sent to the sin bin, according to the NRL.

The sin-binning of Robson left fans and commentators bewildered and confused.

Noyen will be asked by the NRL to explain how he came up with the decision - and risks being replaced in round 16 - after Annesley conceded Robson should’ve stayed on the field.

We will get these misjudgments from time to time while we go through this period of re-setting the expectations around high tackles,” Annesley said.

“We’re not saying that we accept these things and dismissing them by saying ‘errors will happen’.

“We are constantly talking to the match officials and making re-adjustments to ensure they have as much information impossible.

“We think the judgement they applied in the limited time they had to make these decisions was too harsh (on Robson) on this occasion.”

The NRL match review committee also found no reason to charge Robson.

The Cowboys fell just short of a thrilling comeback win.

“The match review committee with the luxury of time and the ability to look at it in every possible way, they felt it didn’t require any further action. That’s how our system works,” Annesley said.

“We’re constantly talking to the match officials and their coaching staff about trying to get this balance right.

“It’ a readjustment for them as well. It comes down to a matter of judgement.

“We’re talking to them about trying to get these judgments right.”

Annesley stopped short of commenting on the decision to sin-bin Roosters forward Sio Siua Taukeiaho for collecting Penrith halfback Nathan Cleary high, even though he too, was falling.

Roosters coach Trent Robinson was upset and confused by the Friday night decision, asking for answers from the NRL.

Asked about players being penalised for high shots against an attacking player falling to the ground, Annesley said: “It comes down to a test of reasonableness, is it reasonable to expect a defender could have done anything different.

trent Robinson was livid after Siosiua Taukeiaho was sent to the sin bin.

“The two tackles (Robson and Taukeiaho) were different in the way they happened.

“We can give the referees all the indicators in the world, they have to apply their judgment.”

Taukeiaho was slapped with a maximum fine of $2250 for his tackle on Cleary.

“The game is going through a pretty major adjustment. From time to time there will be decisions made that aren’t correct.

“I always say that the major review process is a safety net in two ways. Incidents on field officials miss so they don’t fall through the cracks.

“Also a safety net for the players that if the action by the on-field officials is too harsh – then it’s a safety net to protect the players from being unnecessarily charged.

“In that regard the system has worked.”

Match Review Committee puts Bunker in the bin

- Martin Gabor

A controversial sin bin with three minutes remaining cost the Cowboys any chance of pulling off a comeback for the ages as they fell agonisingly short against a Cronulla side that leapfrogged them into seventh spot.

North Queensland looked down and out with seven minutes to go when they found themselves behind 26-12, but two tries in as many sets to Kyle Feldt turned the game on its head, with the hosts riding all the momentum.

But a high shot by Reece Robson on Aiden Tolman brought that to a grinding halt, with the Bunker telling referee Peter Gough that he had no choice but to march the Cowboys hooker for 10 minutes for making high, direct and forceful contact, even though Tolman fell into what was going to be a low tackle.

The Match Review Committee

Reece Robson was sent to the sin bin after hitting a falling Aiden Tolman in the head. Picture: Getty Images.

The commentators were bemused and the fans were filthy as the Sharks kicked deep and held on as Valentine Holmes’ 43-metre two-point field goal attempt fell short.

“That is absolutely insane,” Fox League commentator Warren Smith said.

“What is Reece Robson supposed to do here? He goes low. Everyone has said no high tackles. We want you to tackle low.

“Reece Robson is there, he is tackling low and the man he is tackling drops in height some two feet. He hits him across the bridge of the nose there is no question about that but that is an absolute rugby league accident.”

Reece Robson not charged by the MRC despite being sin-binned by the bunker in #NRLCowboysSharks.
The MRC realises Robson was not at fault, the same as Kobe Hetherington last week.
So where has common sense gone in all of this?

— Warren Smith (@WarrenSmithFOX) June 19, 2021

The NRL Match Review Committee appeared to bring some common sense to the debate - albeit too late for Cowboys’ fans - when the charge sheet from Friday night was delivered and Robson’s tackle was not deemed worthy of even a fine.

The subject wasn’t raised in the post-match press conference, but Todd Payten said his side only had themselves to blame.

“In the end, we didn’t deserve to win,” he lamented.

Kyle Feldt scored two incredible tries to keep the Cowboys in the game. Picture: Getty Images.

WINGING IT

The race for the Maroons left wing position is muddier than ever after Kyle Feldt scored a late brace to save what had otherwise been a disastrous night for the Queensland incumbent.

Feldt was virtually unsighted in attack until he scored two powerful tries at the death, but he also came up with a cold drop from a bomb and sent a kick-off sailing out on the full as his hopes of playing in Game Two took a hit.

Ronaldo Mulitalo, the man tipped to replace him, did his Origin chances no harm with another strong performance on the left wing as he crossed for his fourth try in three games.

He is no stranger to the State of Origin arena having represented Queensland at under-18s and 20s level, and is now in line to make a shock debut in Game Two as the Maroons look to atone for their 50-6 shellacking in the opener.

Mulitalo scored a try on Friday and had plenty of tough carries coming out of trouble, but it was his defensive reads that would have pleased Queensland coach Paul Green the most, including one decision to jam in that stopped an attacking raid in its tracks.

Left-edge partner Will Chambers, who is also reportedly in the mix, scored a try but came up with some awful defensive plays at the end.

“I thought Will did some good things, and I thought at the backend he had some defensive plays he’d probably like back,” Josh Hannay said.

“He’s his own harshest critic and he was disappointed with a couple of his defensive efforts.”

William Kennedy was incredible for the Sharks, and is arguably the NRL’s most improved player this season. Picture: Getty Images.

WILL POWER

Will Kennedy’s meteoric rise continued with a couple of outstanding plays that should have Sharks fans excited about what’s to come in the coming years.

His in and away to set up Mulitalo was a thing of beauty, as was his acrobatic dive to stop a penalty kick from finding touch. Even the Townsville judge would have given it a perfect 10. He also chipped in with a team-high 169 metres.

“What a game,” Hannay said. “Will Kennedy is starting to become one of those elite fullbacks in the competition.”

SIGNATURE PERFORMANCES

The Sharks have now won four in the trot to move into seventh, and they can thank a few of their off-contract veterans for helping them turn their season around.

Aaron Woods was as strong as ever up front, running for 114 metres from 15 carries to go with a soft four-pointer in the first half.

But it was Shaun Johnson who must have caught the eye of potential suitors with another strong showing as his trusty right boot landed five goals from as many attempts and was also inch-perfect to set up Connor Tracey with a pinpoint grubber.