NRL backs the bunker’s controversial no-try ruling in South Sydney’s loss to Manly

THE NRL has backed the bunker’s controversial no-try ruling in South Sydney’s loss to Manly, revealing a crucial camera angle that supported the decision.

THE NRL has backed the bunker’s controversial no-try ruling in South Sydney’s loss to Manly, revealing viewers missed the crucial camera angle that supported the decision.

In a desperate bid to quell angry Souths fans, the NRL found a new camera angle of the contentious moment which wasn’t seen on Fox Sports.

The new vision influenced some fans, with 65 per cent of respondents on a Daily Telegraph poll now believing it wasn’t a try.

BUZZ: DOES THIS PROVE THE BUNKER WAS RIGHT?

Burgess can be seen to lose contact with the ball.

Rabbitohs winger Joe Burgess scored what appeared a legitimate try against Manly with his side behind by 18-12. Video referee Ashley Klein then overruled on-field ref, Henry Perenara, to deny the try, citing separation from Burgess’ hand and the ball.

Souths fans were still bemused at Klein’s decision with most arguing there was insufficient evidence to overrule Perenara.

Klein has been named on-field referee for Thursday night’s match between Sydney Roosters and Brisbane at Allianz Stadium and senior review official for Saturday’s Warriors v Panthers match.

There was more confusion when NRL ref’s boss Tony Archer conceded angles of the ‘try’ weren’t given to television broadcasters.

It continues a year of drama for the bunker, the NRL having to defend their disappointing innovation virtually weekly.

The slip up is even clearer from this angle.

Archer explained why the try was overturned.

“The reason was that he was ruled to have lost possession of the ball prior to grounding it,” Archer told NRL.com. “In the event that a player loses possession he must regain possession by re-grip, re-catch or taking hold of the ball prior to grounding the ball.

“After bunker officials reviewed all available angles on this play, they correctly ruled that there was sufficient evidence to determine Burgess lost possession of the ball and fails to re-grip the ball before attempting to ground it.

“However, the bunker officials did not include all relevant angles in the vision provided to the broadcasters and this oversight added to the confusion over the decision. Transparency is an important part of the bunker operations, so it is regrettable this angle was not included in last night’s coverage.”

The convoluted rule states: “A player who has had possession or touches/touched the ball and knocks the ball forward must regain possession (catch, hold or grip) prior to the ball hitting the ground, another player, goal post or cross bar.

“For the ball to be deemed grounded, pressure must be applied by the player’s fingers, hand, wrist, forearm or torso so as to create a reasonable influence on the plane of the ball including the spin, rotation, momentum or bounce.”

The no-try decision broke Souths’ hearts, the Rabbitohs losing 20-12. After the game, Souths skipper Sam Burgess vented his pure frustration.

“It was a dead-set try,” said Souths skipper Sam Burgess. “I just don’t know how they can get it wrong. I really don’t. You try to ask a question on the field, why, why has it been disallowed and there’s no answer. I don’t think the referees knew why. As a player, it’s pretty frustrating.”

Ten-time grand final referee Bill Harrigan said at the time: “They’ve got that wrong. When do his fingers come off the ball? That’s wrong, they’ve robbed him of a try.”

Originally published as NRL backs the bunker’s controversial no-try ruling in South Sydney’s loss to Manly