Sydney Roosters win back-to-back NRL grand finals, but victory is marred by referee mistake
As the Sydney Roosters were celebrating back-to-back premierships, Canberra were counting the cost of a highly contentious call that put NRL referees back in the spotlight in the biggest game of the season.
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The besieged NRL was scrambling on Sunday night to explain one of the biggest refereeing howlers in grand final history.
This was the moment every rugby league fan feared all season — and it was like a punch in the stomach.
A Ben Cummins decision robbed Canberra of any chance of victory in a pulsating grand final where the Sydney Roosters claimed historic back-to-back titles through a 14-8 win.
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With eight minutes remaining, Roosters fullback James Tedesco appeared to drop a Jack Wighton bomb with Cummins clearly ruling the tackle count had restarted.
Yet, inexplicably, Cummins reversed his own decision on the run, bemused Canberra players forced to turn the ball over on the next tackle. Raiders star Jack Wighton — the Clive Churchill Medal winner — retrieved the loose ball, saw Cummins call and didn’t kick.
Just one minute later, with possession from the blunder, Roosters centre Latrell Mitchell threw a lovely flick pass which resulted in a runaway try to Tedesco, which broke an 8-all deadlock.
On field audio has Sutton saying “six to go” but then alters his decision, yelling “last“ five times. The NRL also say the ball didn’t rebound of Tedesco. Clearly Wighton didn’t hear the revised call in front of 82,922 fans screaming.
“The referee does call six more, but then immediately gets a call from the assist referee and one of the touch judges that it was off a Raiders player,” said NRL head of football, Graham Annesley.
“He immediately corrected that call and called last tackle and called last tackle four more times before the play actually breaks down. It’s very
disappointing that the game has been mired in controversy after that initial six again call, but ultimately, I believe the decision not to give six more tackles was correct and had they not corrected that decision.
“I would probably be standing here talking to you now about the fact that a try may have been scored in the next set off an incorrect decision where six tackles shouldn’t have been awarded.”
The Raiders couldn’t find the necessary late try to send the game into golden point. It was gone in 60 seconds of madness. It was a terrible shame for the grand final — and rugby league in general — that a referee essentially decided the game.
“You all saw it,” said Raiders coach Ricky Stuart. “Instead of me saying what I think and then getting abused by everybody in regards to me unsportsmanlike manner, you write what you think. Graham (Annesley) wanted to speak to me, I don’t want to speak to him.”
Cummins’ decision shouldn’t detract from the Roosters’ triumph and a brave performance from the Raiders. It was still one of the great NRL grand finals.
This is first time the Roosters have gone back-to-back since 1974-75 when Immortal Arthur Beetson was captain and legendary Jack Gibson was coach. They are a rugby league juggernaut.
“I think this the best (Roosters team ever) — history-making,” said Roosters chairman Nick Politis. This was triumph for a wonderful team and a retiring individual — Cooper Cronk.
This was Cronk’s final game of rugby league — and his third successive grand final win. He will now retire one of the greatest halfbacks of all time. Sunday was Cronk’s ninth grand final.
“It is a humbling experience to live out a dream. This club cops a lot of criticism but it has a big heart and soul,” said Cronk, who sensationally sin binned in the 50th minute for a professional foul.
Canberra were so close. The Raiders dominated the second half and drew level after being behind 8-0. Canberra just kept surging forward.
“It’s hard to swallow — I’m numb,” said Wighton. “It’s absolutely gut-wrenching.”
Victory was coach Trent Robinson’s third grand final win in seven years. He has now won more titles at Bondi that the great Gibson.
It was the first time any club had gone back to back in a united competition since Brisbane in 1992-93. Thirteen players backed up from last year’s grand final win over Melbourne.
Not into ref bashing. But that is one of the worst calls in history. You can't change your mind. It's criminal for the Raiders #nrlgf
— Michael Carayannis (@MCarayannis) October 6, 2019
“It’s a pretty surreal feeling — we were under the pump in that second half,” Tedesco said.
Roosters five-eighth Luke Keary added: “The whole second half I thought we were in massive trouble.” And Cordner said: “God it feels good.”
Even when under second half pressure, the Roosters — ever the professionals — hung tough and won it through Tedesco’s 71st minute try.
In the 60th minute, at 8-all, Canberra centre Joey Leilua only had to catch and pass to winger Jordan Rapana, who would have scored. Leilua dummied and then tried a flick pass, which trickled forward. The moment had gone.
Rivals may hate the Roosters but you’ve got to respect them. They’re a club built on sustained success and consistent victory. Roosters lost Mitch Aubusson to his left knee injury in the 15th minute, pushing Angus Crichton into the match. Aubusson did not return.
The pre-game atmosphere was extraordinary when around 60,000 fans participated in the Viking Clap.
