Parramatta Eels coach Brad Arthur accuses West Tigers half Luke Brooks of taking a dive

ANGRY Eels coach Brad Arthur accused young Wests Tiger Luke Brooks of taking a dive to prevent the Eels scoring a decisive try on Monday.

ANGRY Parramatta coach Brad Arthur accused young Wests Tigers star Luke Brooks of taking a dive to prevent the Eels scoring a decisive try in Monday’s massive match at ANZ Stadium.

In front of 50,668 fans, Wests Tigers and Parramatta engaged in an enthralling and vigorous game which again though was marred by the obstruction rule.

“It’s a lottery,” said Eels champion Jarryd Hayne.

Tigers Luke Brooks watches his field goal go over.

With his side behind 18-14, Parramatta centre Will Hopoate scored what appeared a legimtiate try, which was approved by referee Matt Cecchin.

However video referees Steve Clark and Andrew Dunemann controversially over-ruled Cecchin after watching Parramatta forward David Gower allegedly obstruct Brooks, who fell to the ground.

“I don’t know what an obstruction is anymore,” Arthur said. “As coaches, we’ll start to encourage our players to take a dive.

“Dave Gower clearly got back at his (Brooks) inside shoulder.

“The rule is you’ve got to get back on the inside shoulder and that’s what Dave Gower did. He went through the line sideways.”

Will Hopoate goes in but the try was disallowed after video ref ruled obstruction.

Hayne was vocal at fulltime, confused and bewildered at the decision.

“I think the players, the fans, the coaches just want consistency,” Hayne said. “Every week it seems like it’s changing.

“As soon as it gets a media storm they get a bit of fear behind them, the video refs, and it’s a lottery.

“It’s pretty clear that Gower didn’t take him out.

“If that’s going to be the rules then stay with it. Don’t come back next week (after a) media storm ... they start to getting scared again.

“As players when you’re looking at it you are going ‘it’s sweet’. I’m sure if you ask some of the Tigers boys they’ll say the same thing. We just want consistency. We’re not asking too much.”

Hayne claimed the obstruction rule was “frustrating”.

Parramatta's Jarryd Hayne argues a call with the referee.

Asked were players confused, Hayne said: “Definitely. In the past that’s a try.

“That can be the rule now — where someone can touch the other player and fall down and it’s ruled a penalty — then so be it.

“Let’s just keep consistent and on the same page and not change it a week, two weeks after. That’s what’s frustrating the most.”

Brooks though was quick to dismal talk he took a dive.

Wests Tigers celebrate their victory.

“No, I don’t think so,” he said. “He ran into me. I couldn’t do anything else.

“I thought it (the video referee decision) was 50/50. It was lucky it was called a no-try.”

The drama could not though overshadow a cracking day at ANZ Stadium.

Two western Sydney teams went at it, the result was close, the crowd was massive.

The NRL has been marred by issues this year but yesterday helped us remember why the game is loved by many.

Parramatta always looked as though they would pinch the game but Wests Tigers somehow hung in there and snatched the two competition points.

Hayne scored two tries and set up another with a gorgeous kick to winger Ken Sio in another stellar performance.

Tigers fans cheer their team onto the field.

The scores were locked 18-all before Brooks kicked the crucial field goal to give his side a lead. Winger Pat Richards landed a penalty goal on fulltime for a 21-18 win.

Wests Tigers played yesterday without stars Robbie Farah, James Tedesco and Liam Fulton.

“It wasn’t our prettiest win but I am happy to get the two points,” said Wests Tigers coach Mick Potter.

“We showed a lot of grit and determination. It was a fantastic effort although we were far from our best in execution and defence.”

Arthur lamented the defeat.

“At the end of the day, we needed to be better to win the game,” he said. “They scored two tries off our errors.”