NRL Round 25 news 2023: Anthony Seibold furious as Warriors win 29-22 over Manly

Manly coach Anthony Seibold has slammed referees after the Sea Eagles’ loss to the Warriors, MICHAEL CARAYANNIS and DAVID RICCIO argue the issue.

The Cowboys’ hopes of a top-eight finish are officially out of their hands, needing results to go their way to make finals. Picture: Getty Images.

The NRL have responded to Manly coach Anthony Seibold’s post-match anger over a controversial call that culminated in ending the club’s finals hopes.

With Manly locked-up 22-all against the Warriors inside the final 10 minutes on Friday night, Sea Eagles fullback Reuben Garrick was hit hard by his opposite Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad as he jumped to regather a charged down attempt at field goal.

The collision looked ugly, with the Sea Eagles fullback crashing to the turf and landing heavily on his back.

However no penalty was awarded after consultation between referee Todd Smith and the Bunker due to the contact coming on the back of a bouncing ball.

The explanation given by Smith didn’t sit well with Seibold, who didn’t miss with a scathing post-game tirade.

NRL head of football Graham Annesley responded on Saturday morning to Seibold’s post-match retort by declaring Smith and his fellow match officials were criticised “without justification.’’

“What did Nikoll-Klokstad do wrong under the laws of the game?,’’ Annesley said.

“He did not tackle Garrick without the ball, it was not a mid-air tackle from a kick, he did not lift him, he did not drive him into the ground, he did not make high contact. It was a bouncing ball from a charge down.

“The contact was not careless. It was nothing more than an accident.

“The rules relating to mid-air tackles were changed some years ago to apply only to kicks, when it became apparent it would also apply to situations like players being tackled while diving through the air in scoring tries which we see every week in the NRL.

“Many of those incidents also have awkward landings without breaching the rules.

“No one wants to see injuries, but it can happen at times where no one is to blame.

“We see it with head clashes, contests for the ball, driving tackles, leg tackles, in fact, any type of legitimate contact can result in an unfortunate injury. In relation to last night’s incident, the referees have been publicly criticised without justification.”

Nicoll-Klokstad esacaped any sanction from the NRL match review committee.

Meanwhile, Parramatta winger Maika Sivo has also escaped any punishment for his head contact on Roosters fullback James Tedesco.

Tedesco is in doubt for next week’s crucial clash against the Wests Tigers under the NRL’s concussion protocols.

Manly’s Reuben Garrick is flipped in a tackle by Charnze Nikoll-Klokstad in Auckland last night.

CASE FOR SEIBOLD

- Michael Carayannis

Anthony Seibold’s blow-up at the match officials did not just happen because of a crucial call he believed went against his side on Friday night.

The Sea Eagles were still fuming about a number of decisions from last week’s clash against Penrith.

With their season now done and dusted the frustrations of Seibold were laid bare in a tense post-game press conference in New Zealand as he did his best Geoff Toovey impersonation.

The tackle by Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad left Reuben Garrick dazed and injured. By the letter of the law the match officials got it right, so there can not be any complaints about the decision. But in an age where player safety is paramount then there will be a case to shift the rules because there is little doubt Garrick was placed in a dangerous position.

Seibold echoed what lots of people sitting at home in their lounge rooms thought when they first saw the incident – that it just looked and felt like a penalty.

The fact the Warriors went through and scored off a poor defensive read moments later just added to Seibold’s angst.

It came just a week after Penrith scored a try at a crucial stage of the match that NRL head football Graham Annesley should never have been allowed to happen after an error in the play the before the try was scored.

CASE AGAINST SEIBOLD

- David Riccio

The NRL have gone over and above when it comes to protecting the safety and welfare of players.

Some would argue they’ve gone too far.

Which is probably why Anthony Seibold blew a gasket on Friday night. He’s watched how the game has cracked down on the most innocuous of tackles.

The issue for the Manly coach is though, what happened to his fullback Reuben Garrick on Friday night was an accident.

They also happen in rugby league.

I won’t deny it looked ugly.

But are we going to ignore the fact that it was Garrick who made the decision to go for the ball. He knew that he was free game by going hard at the footy. That’s the game.

Warriors fullback Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad had every right to tackle him.

He broke no rules.

The fallout from the tackle and impact on Manly’s season has led to calls for a change of the rule book so that every mid-air tackle results in a penalty.

Well, if we want to start doing that, you may as well give every winger the red carpet treatment on the way to the tryline.

When Warriors winger Dallin Watene-Zelezniak flies like Superman through the air for the most spectacular of tries, are the opposition meant to just stand and applaud.

What about when Roosters gun Daniel Tupou leaps high for a cross-field kick to score. Are we now penalising the defender for tackling him too?

The game gets hammered for changing rules every season. Let’s not change another one for an accident.

SEIBOLD FUMES AS CONTROVERSY ENDS MANLY’S FINALS DREAM

An irate Anthony Seibold has launched at match officials for ending Manly’s season with a non-call late in their loss to the Warriors.

The New Zealand Warriors overcame a stubborn Manly side 29-22 to all-but secure their spot in the top four, but it wasn’t without late controversy.

With the game tied up at 22-all inside the final 10 minutes, Reuben Garrick was hit hard by Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad as he jumped to regather a charged down attempt at field goal.

The collision looked ugly, with the Sea Eagles fullback crashing to the turf and landing heavily on his back.

However no penalty was awarded after consultation between referee Todd Smith and the Bunker due to the contact coming on the back of a bouncing ball.

The explanation given by Smith didn’t sit well with Seibold, who didn’t miss with a scathing post-game tirade.

Manly's slim finals hopes are officially over, after going down to the Warriors in Round 25. Picture: NRL Imagery.

“It was ridiculous. Absolutely ridiculous. It’s ridiculous mate,” he said.

“That’s a penalty every day of the week.

“The rule said it’s not because the ball bounced, but how many times do we pull tackles up for a slight crusher and give a penalty, someone slipping up from chest to jaw and there’s a penalty.

“Fair dinkum, let’s be serious. We (would have) gone up two points with six to go.

“They get the ball back, Reuben can’t run. We made a poor defensive error, but our fullback can’t run and we’re saying it’s not a dangerous tackle.

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“I’ll get a phone call from Dave Farleigh or somebody tomorrow from the NRL and they’ll apologise or say ‘look, that’s the correct decision’ or it wasn’t a dangerous tackle.

“It was a dangerous tackle. He’s injured. He couldn’t finish the game.

“It’s our season on the line so I am pissed off about it.”

The loss put an end to any hope Manly had of making the finals, and after a controversial no call that went against his side the week prior against Penrith, Seibold said it wasn’t good enough.

“I reckon it’s ridiculous, and it’s two weeks in a row,” he said.

“But our CEO will cop a call from Graham Annesley and Graham will come out on Monday and they’ll go through the written rule of it, but that is a deadset penalty.

“I couldn’t be more proud of the boys. They fought hard but ultimately we weren’t good enough.

“The growth for us is to handle some of those decisions, but it should’ve been two in front with six to go.

“I’m just sick of it. I bite my tongue. I’m not a coach who comes out and has a whinge.”

The Sea Eagles coach said he expects a call from the league to clarify the decision that left Garrick unable to finish the game.

“He’s hurt his back. He couldn’t run,” he said.

“He’s in there getting attention from the doctor. We pull every other tackle up and we talk about safety, but it’s a safe game when it wants to be, and then we get that.

“I understand the rule about the kick, but it’s a dangerous tackle.

“I can’t wait to talk to someone from the NRL tomorrow. I can’t wait.”

Warriors coach Andrew Webster said while it was a scary incident, he was happy with the call.

“Fair game. That’s what the rule is, isn’t it?,” Webster said.

“The ball is rolling, it kicks up and bounces, where does everyone want Charnze to go?

“It’s scary, I get it, but Charnze is competing so hard for that football, Reuben jumps and he clips him.

“Unless I’m wrong and the Bunker had an hour to think about it and made the wrong decision, but if that’s the rule I don’t see why it should be a penalty.”

ARTHUR ON, SCHUSTER BENCHED

With their season on the line, Manly enjoyed a dream start, forcing an error on the second tackle of the game and making the Warriors pay immediately.

Mid-year recruit Jake Arthur justified the decision to start at five-eighth instead of Josh Schuster, selling a dummy and posting first points within two minutes.

That hot start was undone just minutes later however, with the former Eel giving away an escort penalty that saw Tohu Harris score from the ensuing set and hit back in style.

As for Schuster, he came into the contest in the 29th minute to replace Kelma Tuilagi in the back row, but had little impact.

“Jake tried his backside off. He was really good tonight. Effort was really high and he played with the mentality we want here at Manly,” Seibold said.

“He competed really strongly.”

Jake Arthur’s move to the starting side paid off for the Sea Eagles, after scoring a try in the opening minutes. Picture: Getty Images.

NOBODY CAN STOP DWZ

Is there a better winger in the NRL right now than Dallin Watene-Zelezniak?

He’s already got rights to the title of best finisher in the competition, which was on full display with an inch-perfect put-down.

But it was his second try of the night that showed his full arsenal, using brute force to step inside and brush off six attempts at tackle to bring up his 20th of the season.

Despite taking a knock to his knee late in the first half, he produced another athletic effort in the corner to bring up a hat-trick.

“The way he’s playing he has got to be (the best winger in the NRL),” coach Andrew Webster said.

“His defence has come a long way with how reliable he is and understanding where he has to be for the team and make the right decision.

“His yardage carries are unbelievable and the tries are the icing on the cake. He’s a freak at it, he’s unbelievable.

“I think he’s in great form and he has to be one of the best NRL wingers, if not the best. He was definitely the best player on the field tonight.”

Dallin Watene-Zelezniak was once a gain a standout for the Warriors, scoring a hat-trick to sink the Sea Eagles. Picture: Getty Images.

BUNKER CONTROVERSY... AGAIN

The Bunker was again in the spotlight in the 27th minute with Reuben Garrick claiming a try that would’ve tied scores at 16-all.

After a number of distorted views of a contested grounding between him and opposition fullback Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad, a clearer view appeared to show Garrick’s hand getting their first.

Bunker official Gerry Sutton disagreed, sticking with the referee’s call of a no try, much to the disgust of the Sea Eagles players.

Manly got one back right on the stroke of half-time, with what looked like a forward pass missed by the on-field officials.

After a lengthy delay and the ball potentially touching the thumb of Haumole Olakau’atu and going forward, the Bunker dismissed the cries of the home fans to confirm Saab’s hat-trick.

OUT OF THEIR HANDS: SHARKS TEAR COWBOYS FINALS HOPES APART

—Nic Darveniza

Nicho Hynes has all but led Cronulla back to the finals by conquering the club that ended his Sharks’ campaign one year ago.

Hynes lassoed the Cowboys with sharp passing, kicking and running to clinch a 32-12 win in North Queensland that has left the Cowboys needing to ‘jump the shark’ to save its floundering season.

Cronulla coach Craig Fitzgibbon said he was more proud of his halfback than in other, flashier performances Hynes is often recognised for.

“I thought it was one of his better games,” Fitzgibbon said.

“Everyone is obsessed with the highlights but the half of the team is the spirit of the team. He controlled the game plan and developed as a half.”

Ruthless Cronulla defence held North Queensland’s attack toothless, denying the hosts in the redzone on multiple occasions in a match that doubled as Jason Taumalolo’s 250th celebration and the Cowboys’ first Paul Green medal match at home.

The Cowboys’ hopes of a top-eight finish are officially out of their hands, needing results to go their way to make finals. Picture: Getty Images.

Cronulla completed a season sweep of the Cowboys with Hynes unlucky not to take home the player of the match medal, named for the late North Queensland coach, for the second time in as many attempts.

Fullback Connor Tracey took those honours as the Sharks marched into the top four on points differential, and now must stomach the task of cheering on rivals St. George Illawarra against the Melbourne Storm to maintain it.

North Queensland’s finals destiny is now officially in the hands of others, with a best-case scenario finish of 32 competition points not enough to secure passage into the eight alone.

Putrid stuff from the Cowboys given what was at stake. The only team that looked like scoring when they had the ball was the Sharks #NRLCowboysSharks

— Martin Gabor (@MartinJGabor) August 17, 2023

HYNES TIME

Hynes took a back seat in both of Cronulla’s opening tries as the Sharks found the playmaking versatility the club will need to push its case for a qualifying final berth.

The No.7 passed early for fullback Connor Treacy to bamboozle the defence, drawing three to carve open space for Ronaldo Mulitalo to finish.

He didn’t touch the ball at all when Blayke Brailey darted from the ruckbase, leaving breakout rookie Tom Hazelton to beat both his defender and the goalpost padding to equalise.

“Blayke Brailey was amazing tonight, and he probably won’t get the credit he deserves,” Fitzgibbon said.

“I wish I had a spare medal (Paul Green Medal) because the heart he displayed tonight was special.

“Connor, for the situation in the game, we needed that guy more than anyone tonight and that’s why we chose him.

“Sometimes you jag points out of situations. The players have certain skillsets that you can’t coach into them, sometimes, so you’ve got to let them take control and they come up with those plays,” Fitzgibbon said.

Sharks star Nicho Hynes has all but guaranteed his side a spot in the finals, with a win over the Cowboys temporarily thrusting them into the top-four. Picture: Getty Images.

Rugby league’s finest player of last season wouldn’t stay sidelined for long.

An early ball gave Royce Hunt the space to power through a tackle to score before a perfectly weighted grubber found Graham for a simple score to secure a commanding 12 point lead with half an hour to play.

Hynes sealed the match in the 72nd minute when he sized up the defence and charged ahead for his fifth try of the year.

SHARK WARNING

After conceding two tries in the opening half hour Cronulla found its defensive steel, repelling red zone raids on five occasions to blunt the North Queensland attack.

A defensive stand to end the first half preserved the Sharks lead at six while thumping tackling denied the Cowboys an early opportunity to strike in the opening minute of the second half when Royce Hunt spilled the ball in a Jeremiah Nanai tackle.

It would be the tale of the second half as Cronulla held firm to deny any attacking momentum, despite the attentions of Scott Drinkwater, who had threatened in the first half.

“We kept turning up,” Fitzgibbon said.

“We’ve been working hard at that for a long time for not much reward. It’s not through lack of effort or care, sometimes it just turns as an attitude thing.

“We had to find a way. We made it hard for ourselves with some tough penalties coming of trouble, but sometimes you just find a way. We’ve put a lot of work into it but we don’t feel we are where we need to be yet either.”

TAUMALOLO

North Queensland had been challenged to lift for captain Taumalolo, named the “heart and soul” of the Cowboys by coach Todd Payten in his milestone 250th game, but failed to do so.

The talismanic forward debuted for the club at 17 in 2010 and became the fourth Cowboy to reach 250 appearances in club history in the defeat.

Taumalolo played 48 minutes across two equal stints in his fifth career start in the front row.

He was the only Cowboys forward to run for more than 100m, 54m of them post-contact.

“There’s not too many blokes like Jason around,” Fitzgibbon said.

“He’s given us nightmares for a long time.”

Originally published as NRL Round 25 news 2023: Anthony Seibold furious as Warriors win 29-22 over Manly