Controversy erupts as Bunker goes missing in questionable try

The NRL’s divisive Bunker found itself in the spotlight yet again on Saturday after it appeared to miss a clear incident that led to a try.

The Warriors have claimed a hard-fought 30-26 win over North Queensland on Saturday.

The victory didn’t come without controversy, however, following a moment that saw the Warriors extend their margin in the first half.

FOX LEAGUE, available on Kayo Sports, is the only place to watch every game of Magic Round, LIVE in 4K with no ad-breaks during play. New to Kayo? Get your first month for just $1. Limited-time offer.

Halfway through the first half with the Warriors holding a 10-6 lead, Chanel Harris-Tavita produced some magic in the pouring rain.

With the Kiwi side only 10 metres out, Harris-Tavita put a grubber kick through behind the Cowboys’ line before following up his own work and scoring a try after the ball deflected off two players.

The try was sent upstairs and confirmed however fans watching on couldn’t quite believe the Bunker had overlooked Cowboys skipper Tom Dearden being tackled without the ball.

Watch the questionable moment in the video player above

Dearden tackled without the ball before the try.

Dearden was tracking the grubber kick when Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad stormed into his back and took him to the turf.

The review into the try took a long time, but it had nothing to do with Dearden being taken out … it was confirmation Harris-Tavita had in fact touched the ball down.

Fans couldn’t quite believe the Bunker didn’t even look at the fact the Cowboys skipper had been tackled without the ball.

One wrote on X: “How is that a try a Cowboy got tackled without the ball!”

A second added: “Uh I think a cowboy was taken out there.”

A third wrote: “Yeah nahhhh this isn’t a try. Cowboys player “clearly” taken out without an opportunity to tackle the “try” scorer.”

Harris-Tevita scores while Dearden is taken out.

The Warriors ran away with the contest in the first half, heading into the sheds holding a 28-12 advantage.

Despite their first half lead, the New Zealand outfit dramatically fell off a cliff in the second 40 as the Cowboys stormed back into the contest with three straight tries in just seven minutes.

Robert Derby crossed first before Murray Taulagi scored followed by Jeremiah Nanai as the margin closed from 16 down to only four points.

With all of the momentum in their favour, the Cowboys couldn’t find their way over for the match-equalling try as the Warriors rocketed into the top four on the NRL ladder.

– with Edward Franklin, Newswire

Originally published as Controversy erupts as Bunker goes missing in questionable try