NRL 2020: Cronulla Sharks beat St George Illawarra Dragons 28-24 | Match Report
Coach Paul McGregor labelled it a ‘stuff-up’ and the NRL was quick to react after two bunker officials ‘incorrectly’ called a try that cost the Dragons possible victory over the Sharks.
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The NRL has taken the extraordinary step of immediately axing two bunker officials for a video referee blunder which cost St George Illawarra possible victory against the Sharks.
Steve Clark and Ben Galea were sensationally dumped late on Saturday night from Sunday’s game against the Titans and Panthers for awarding Jack Williams a try in Cronulla’s 28-24 win.
Dragons coach Paul McGregor labelled it a “stuff-up” and fullback Matt Dufty was adamant he beat Williams to the bouncing ball. The bunker had just two looks before rewarding the try despite replays showing Dufty’s hand just beat Williams.
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Dufty said “100 per cent I grounded the ball”.
“When they awarded the try I was shocked,” Dufty said.
“I asked if we could challenge but because it was the video referee they said we couldn’t. It’s disappointing because that could’ve changed the game.”
McGregor was rightfully seething when the 10th minute call went against his team.
“How do they keep getting it wrong?” McGregor said. “It’s a stuff up. In the end that’s the difference. The person that’s watching this and (the media) should make enough song and dance about it. It’s not good enough.”
The NRL’s head of football Graham Annesley confirmed the call was incorrect and replaced the officials with Jared Maxwell and Bryan Norrie.
Just six weeks ago the Dragons embarrassed Cronulla. But this time Cronulla managed to hold on. The Sharks led 28-14 four minutes into the second half and by that stage it didn’t seem like the controversial Williams try would matter.
The Dragons conceded three tries in 10 minutes in the first half despite starting well.
Shaun Johnson scored a try and laid on another. Johnson stepped around the Dragons defence in a 10-metre solo effort to score before his grubber produced the next points to Will Kennedy.
The Sharks started the second half just as they did in the opener, with Aaron Woods crashing over in the 44th minute. The Dragons then went on their own scoring spree with two tries in four minutes to crawl their way back.
INJURY RAVAGED
The Dragons were down to 15 players, the Sharks 14 players but the injury toll hurt the Dragons more.
They played the entire second half minus Trent Merrin and halfback Adam Clune because of concussions.
Cronulla’s outside backs are already depleted and they suffered another setback with centre Jesse Ramien (hamstring) failing to finish the game.
The Sharks were already without Matt Moylan and Josh Dugan with hamstring problems and now Ramien is facing an up-hill battle to play the Broncos on Saturday night. Dugan is a chance of returning to play his 200th game. Halfback Chad Townsend (calf) limped from the field late in the game as did Sione Katoa (concussion).
“We’re hopeful for Dugan,” Morris said of returning next week.
“They don’t think it’s bad. (Ramien) would be in some sort of doubt.
“Lucky we had Connor Tracey sitting on the bench (for Townsend). He would come straight in.”
DRAGONS GREAT START
The Dragons led 14-6 at the halfway point of the first half. Tyrell Fuimaono scored the first try after just five minutes after he pounced on a loose ball in the in-goal.
Zac Lomax scored twice and laid on a try for winger Mikaele Ravalawa. Lomax and Dufty, who dislocated a finger early, looked the most threatening.
McGregor also lamented a six to two set-restart count against his team.
“They were much more physical than us in the first 40,” McGregor said.
“We showed effort and grit to be in a winnable position with two opportunities in the last three minutes. We have to be better at the start. I know we led but they got forward pretty comfortably. We have to be a lot more physical.”
Gritty Raiders push new dramas aside to sink Souths
Martin Gabor
Canberra’s injury crisis has deepened with fullback Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad facing an extended stint on the sidelines after he suffered a suspected compound dislocation of a finger in his side’s gutsy 18-12 win over the Rabbitohs.
With six members of last year’s grand final squad already out through injury, the Green Machine face a stern test of their depth ahead of next week’s trip to Townsville without their cult hero in the No.1 jersey.
Veteran Jordan Rapana (HIA) also failed to finish the game and will be monitored following a brutal collision with teammate Semi Valemei late in the contest as the pair scrambled for a loose ball.
Some teams fold under such adversity, but excuses don’t cut it when Ricky Stuart is your coach. And fittingly, for the second week in a row, the Raiders put their dramas aside to overcome a powerhouse Sydney club on the back of grit and determination.
They now sit on 14 competition points – level with the Roosters – while South Sydney are a win outside the top eight and in desperate need of a lift with their season in the balance.
The Bunnies welcome back Latrell Mitchell next week and will be hoping his return sparks good mate Cody Walker into action following a lean trot in attack.
It was a bruising encounter in the nation’s capital, but the home side were able to overcome the greasy conditions as they scored three tries from kicks, including one to Valemei who crossed for his first four-pointer in the NRL.
South Sydney skipper Adam Reynolds scored a try and brought up 1500 first-grade points from the ensuing conversion, but a backline already missing Mitchell, James Roberts and Braidon Burns failed to fire when Alex Johnston’s night was cut short following a head knock in the first half.
STARS SHINE BRIGHT
When a chunk of your salary cap is sitting in the stands, it’s imperative that the rest of your stars deliver.
Jack Wighton’s left boot set up two tries, Jarrod Croker’s left boot slotted clutch goals while Josh Papalii’s left and right feet churned out more metres than anyone in a green jersey.
COTRIC TAKES CENTRE STAGE
Bulldogs fans got a taste of what’s to come after a late positional switch saw Nick Cotric shift to right centre and then fullback.
The Raiders star dashed away for the game’s first try after he collected a Wighton kick and was solid without being spectacular in what was his ninth start in the NRL at centre.
The talented youngster is off to Belmore next year and will likely remain in the three-quarter line for the rest of 2020 due to Canberra’s overflowing casualty ward.
SON OF A GUN
Three years after he made his debut for Italy at the World Cup, Jack Johns finally got the chance to make his NRL debut.
The energetic bunny came on after 17 minutes when Johnston was forced off for an HIA.
With his father, Matthew Johns, watching on from the stands, the back-rower overcame a heavy hit in his first carry to show he belongs in the NRL.
Sadly, he was forced off for his own HIA following a hefty headbutt from teammate Mark Nicholls but returned at the death.
Signs of life as underdog Warriors stun Roosters
Michael Blok
It was far from pretty but the Roosters have managed to do enough to return to the top four with a scrappy 18-10 win against the Warriors on the Central Coast.
Starting the game at Winx-like odds, the defending premiers were expected to steamroll the struggling Warriors but were far from their best in a lacklustre display.
The Tri-colours struggled in the first hour, however they showed their class in the dying stages to claim a vital two competition points.
Star five-eighth Luke Keary turned the momentum of the match with half an hour remaining when he grubbered the ball for himself to score.
The Warriors showed plenty of heart in the closing stages, but Roosters centre Joey Manu sealed the result with a try with 11 minutes left on the clock.
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Despite a scrappy performance, Roosters coach Trent Robinson was pleased with his side’s fighting attitude and relieved to get the result.
“I really enjoyed watching that. We had to keep fighting and working hard. It was a good contest,” Robinson said after the game.
“I thought both teams controlled both teams well. Both teams defended well and there weren’t many opportunities.
“We looked like a team that worked really hard for each other. We weren’t clicking so we kept working hard and that’s why we got the victory.”
POSITIVE SIGNS
It hasn’t been a great season for the Warriors but they can take plenty of confidence from the match.
They produced their best 40 minutes of the year in the first half, holding the two-time defending premiers to just one try to lead 10-6 at the break.
When young gun forward Eliesa Katoa crashed over on the stroke of half time, there was a feeling in the air of an upset, but the Roosters proved to be too good in the second half.
It was a frustrating opening 40 minutes for Trent Robinson’s men, who looked out of sorts in a scrappy effort.
They missed several opportunities to score, including Sitili Tupouniua being held up and Siosiua Taukeiaho losing the ball over the line.
MISSING SKIPPER
Roosters coach Trent Robinson has shared his concerns for the wellbeing of Boyd Cordner after the skipper suffered another concussion this week.
With a history of serious head concussions, Cordner was a late scratching after coping a head knock at training on Friday.
The Origin star was struggling with headaches in the lead up to the match and will be monitored ahead of next week’s clash with the Titans.
“Yes, it is [a concern]. He got a knock at training and then he started getting headaches and wasn’t good enough to play. We have to look after him,” Robinson said.
“I don’t know [if he’ll play next week]. It’s hard to say and it’s out of my hands. We won’t be taking any risks.”
Cordner’s absence was noticeable as the Roosters struggled in the first half, however his replacement, Sitili Tupouniua, managed to bag the Tri-colours’ first try of the afternoon.
HEADING HOME
The Warriors’ task will become harder for the rest of the season after Ken Maumalo and David Fusitu’a played their final game of the year.
The star wingers, along with forwards Agnatius Paasi and King Vuniyayawa, have been granted permission to return to New Zealand to be with their families.
The quartet will fly out of the country on Monday following nearly three months in isolation after the NRL failed to be granted government exemption to bring the players’ families to Australia.
Maumalo received a farewell gift, scoring the first try of the afternoon after just five minutes.
The Warriors will however receive Daniel Alvaro and George Jennings on a loan deal from Parramatta.
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