‘He is offside’: NRL admits to major error in Canberra’s win over the Titans

NRL referee Kasey Badger has been dropped for this weekend’s games following the fallout of the Raiders-Titans match.

The Raiders picked up two crucial competition points on Sunday, but a costly miss by the officials could have led to a different result. Picture: Mark Nolan/Getty Images

The referee at the centre of Ricky Stuart and Des Hasler’s feud has been dropped for this weekend’s NRL fixtures.

Badger has been demoted to touch judge duties for Friday’s Dragons-Warriors game and will sit in The Bunker for Saturday night’s Broncos-Raiders clash.

Kasey Badger’s officiating in Sunday night’s Raiders-Titans golden point thriller came under the microscope following an extraordinary post-game spat between the rival coaches.

Titans coach Hasler described Badger’s performance as “pretty poor” following the 21-20 extra-time loss in Canberra.

Hasler was aggrieved that Badger missed a crucial offside call late in the game and the Titans were on the wrong end of 8-1 six-again and 5-3 penalty counts.

Raiders coach Stuart launched an extraordinary reply in his press conference, accusing Hasler’s Titans of cheating and using deliberate wrestling tactics in a bid to win their first game.

Kasey Badger has been dropped. Picture: NRL Photos

It later emerged that Stuart and Hasler had a verbal confrontation in the dressing room tunnels at GIO Stadium between press conferences.

While NRL head of football Graham Annesley was mostly supportive of Badger’s officiating on Monday following a comprehensive review, he admitted Raiders fullback Chevy Stewart was offside when he charged down a Kieran Foran field goal attempt in golden point.

If Badger had not missed the Stewart offside, the Titans would have been awarded a penalty goal in front of the posts and could have won the game with a relatively straight forward goal.

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The NRL has conceded aggrieved Gold Coast coach Des Hasler had a right to be upset and his side should have been awarded a set restart which would have then turned into a penalty and a shot from in front late in their heartbreaking one-point defeat to the Canberra Raiders on Sunday.

Head of football Graham Annesley made the admission on Monday afternoon after the Raiders escaped with a thrilling 21-20 win over the Gold Coast which led to some strong words from both coaches after the game.

Hasler raged that his side was hard done by, calling out referee Kasey Badger’s performance, while Raiders coach Ricky Stuart said the Titans “cheated” around the ruck and that Hasler was “on another planet” for complaining about it.

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The biggest issue was the offside play which was missed by the officials with three minutes to go in golden point, when Raiders rookie Chevy Stewart rushed out of the line from an offside position and charged down a Kieran Foran field goal attempt.

Annesley said the Titans should have been awarded a set restart the moment the fullback infringed, and that a penalty should have been blown once play broke down following a Gold Coast error.

However, he stressed the Bunker was powerless to intervene.

“He is offside. The question is, what should have happened from this,” Annesley explained.

“It’s been suggested that it should have been a penalty and two points, but it should have been a set restart if there was a suggestion that he was offside.

“The question was also raised why the Bunker didn’t review this, but the Bunker can’t review 10-metre compliance, and there’s a very good reason for that.

“In most parts of the field – depending on where the play the ball is – there are no lines to assess.

“There is never one incident that determines the outcome of a game.

“These things get focused on because they happen at critical times and they’re critical decision, and we should be getting them right.

“It’s an imperfect game played by imperfect players and controlled by imperfect referees, and they won’t get everything (right).”

NRL stats from the Raiders v Titans game. Picture: Supplied

Annesley also provided data from the game in response to the coaches’ complaints, with the Titans conceding eight set restarts to one, while they also lost the penalty count 5-3, with stats showing the officials missed a potential 28 offsides by the visitors.

“I understand that there will be different perspective on games, particularly straight after games where you haven’t had a lot of time to dive into this information,” he said.

“Sometimes the figures can tell a slightly different story.

“But this is straight, factual data, and none of this is interpreted. This is not us putting a spin on these. These are factual figures that come straight from statisticians.”

Graham Annesley is happy with the new penalties against disruptors. Picture: The Advertiser/ Morgan Sette

Annesley also conceded referees missed several sin bins for foul play over the weekend, while he defended the new disruptor rule which penalises players from putting off fullbacks or wingers by not making a genuine attempt when contesting a kick.

There were several controversial calls in round six, with fans and players questioning how the officials can judge intent based on eye line, the timing of their leap and if they make contact.

“I’m not saying that all of these are by design, but the referees are in a position where they have to make decisions on the spot,” Annesley said.

“What’s my view? I think it’s a bit of a mixed bag so far. You can argue the case on any of those, but we’re doing it because it’s becoming a trend in the game and it’s an unfair tactic, when it’s a tactic.”

Originally published as ‘He is offside’: NRL admits to major error in Canberra’s win over the Titans