NRL Round 24 Wests Tigers v Warriors: Injured star Adam Doueihi hits out at match officials after 30-22 loss

They’re not happy at Wests, with injured star Adam Doueihi lashing out at match officials, before Tim Sheens teed off after the Warriors loss. Here’s the latest.

Tigers star Adam Doueihi has hit out at the match officials labelling them a “joke” after watching his side go down to the Warriors 30-22.

Doueihi, who is sidelined after rupturing his anterior cruciate ligament, took to Twitter to outline his frustrations.

“How many weeks in a row can we be on the wrong end of these ref calls,” Doueihi said. “Seriously, becoming a joke.”

The tweet comes as coach Tim Sheens issued a warning to the match review committee and questioned why front-rower Stefano Utoikamanu was even placed on report.

Warriors hooker Wayde Egan was sent to hospital with a throat injury following the controversial collision with Utoikamanu, who was penalised in possession for raising his forearm into the neck of the defending Egan.

“ (Utoikamanu) better not (be cited) after what happened with Api,” Sheens said post-match

“He didn’t hit him in the head at all. He’s gone and had some problems with his breathing.

“All of a sudden it is a penalty, I can’t see why it is a penalty.

“There was no penalty and there was no suspension when it happened to Api. Why is this now a problem?”

Wests Tigers coach Tim Sheens wasn’t happy on Saturday. Picture: Jenny Evans/Getty Images

Utoikamanu’s carry was reminiscent of Titan Tino Fa'asuamaleaui infamous carry back in June that led to the broken jaw of Tigers skipper Apisai Koroisau. Fa'asuamaleaui went unpunished for the play.

Perhaps fittingly, Koroisau would question match official Chris Butler "what about my jaw, sir?" as the Warriors penalty was awarded.

"A lot of old-time footballers will be looking at that type of thing and saying, 'the game has changed'," Fox League pundit Shane Flanagan said.

"You don't want players injured, but for me, that was a front-rower's carry. That's putting your bumpers up and carrying the football."

Referee Butler at least remained consistent in the second half when he placed Hamilton's hometown hero Dallin Watene-Zelezniak on report for a similar incident on Tigers back-rower John Bateman.

John Bateman during the Tigers’ loss to the Warriors. Picture: Michael Bradley/Getty Images

How many weeks in a row can we be on the wrong end of these ref calls. Seriously, becoming a joke

— Adam Doueihi (@AdamDoueihi6) August 12, 2023

The Warriors now have one hand on the first top four finish in 16 seasons following their eight-point win over the Tigers.

The Warriors, in their 700th premiership appearance, looked like winners-in-waiting throughout despite conceding four tries to the cellar-dwelling Tigers.

It started in the seventh minute when Luke Metcalf scored under the posts and continued when Watene-Zelezniak and Adam Pompey crossed before the break.

Tohu Harris kept the scoreboard ticking over for the Warriors before middle forward brethren Addin Fonua-Blake confirmed the Warriors two points in the final three minutes.

By handing the Tigers’ their tenth consecutive loss, the Warriors consolidated third place with only three rounds remaining.