Paul Vautin and Cam Smith rage as ‘greatest try saving tackle of the season’ ruined

The Broncos have pulled off an epic comeback over Parramatta to save their season but a wild Bunker call left a pair of legends in disbelief.

The Brisbane Broncos’ season is still alive after a brilliant comeback to down the Parramatta Eels 30-24 at Suncorp Stadium.

Broncos captain Adam Reynolds masterminded the season-saving victory which has the side on 26 competition points, even with the Dolphins and Dragons in the race for the eighth and final spot on the ladder.

Watch every game of every round this NRL Telstra Premiership Season LIVE with no ad-breaks during play on Kayo. New to Kayo? Start your free trial today >

Reynolds had two try assists and a try himself as the Broncos bounced back from an early 16-0 deficit after just 11 minutes.

In the early stages, everything was going Parramatta’s way.

In a dire season where the Eels will drop to outright last on the ladder with the Wests Tigers getting a bye next week, it looked like Parramatta were getting some of the luck they’ve lacked this year.

As the momentum began to shift as the Broncos earned more possession and territory, the Eels were barely holding on by the skin of their teeth.

In the 27th minute, the Broncos went to the right with Tristan Sailor slicing through the Eels before kicking for himself.

After regathering, it looked like one of the great individual tries of the season was on.

Enter Maika Sivo.

It's one of the great try savers of the season. Photo: Fox Sports

The Eels winger has been linked with an early exit from the club but pulled off one of the great individual try saving efforts, getting under the ball and dragging Sailor over the dead-ball line.

It was sent up no try by referee Todd Smith, but Bunker official Chris Butler found a high shot as Sivo tried to make the tackle.

On Channel 9, Cameron Smith said: “If Sivo holds this up, this is an incredible play to get back into this tackle.”

But Paul Vautin saw the contact, saying: “I reckon they’ll get him for a smack around the chops.”

“He makes high contact with low force, that’s a penalty at this stage,” Butler said.

Vautin replied: “Turn it up — that’ll do me.”

That was enough for a Broncos penalty. Photo: Fox Sports

Cam Smith couldn’t believe the decision.

“He tackles the football, though, seriously,” he said. “That’s incredible.”

Referee Smith explained to an incredulous Eels captain Clint Gutherson: “I understand, it’s low force and he’s trying to stop a try but it’s still high.”

Cam Smith continued: “That’s one of the greatest try saving tackles you will see all season and because his hand flung around off the ball, he gets a penalty.”

“I am without speech, I am speechless,” Vautin concluded.

Smith and Vautin were stunned. Photo: Channel 9

On Fox League, Dan Ginnane said it was a “ticky tack” penalty, and praised the work of Sivo.

While the Eels held on in the ensuing set off the penalty, the Broncos were the next to score through Sailor, as two tries in three minutes cut the lead to four points at the break.

The Broncos came out the better in the second half, running in three tries in 12 minutes to swamp the Eels and take a 30-18 lead.

A Shaun Lane try in the 71st minute made it interesting but the hapless Eels season from hell continued as they couldn’t break the Broncos one last time to send it to golden point.

Originally published as Paul Vautin and Cam Smith rage as ‘greatest try saving tackle of the season’ ruined