‘Dudded’: NRL erupts over ‘horrendous’ Api Koroisau sin bin drama

The Cronulla Sharks have wiped the floor with the Wests Tigers but a brutal call has made a horrible situation much worse.

The Cronulla Sharks have finally ended their four-game losing streak, thrashing the hapless Wests Tigers 58-6 at Pointsbet Stadium.

But while there is almost zero chance to have swung the match in such an emphatic result, Tigers captain Api Koroisau was left fuming over a first half sin bin.

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The Sharks were leading 12-6 and were starting to get on the front foot after defusing an attacking set before racing to the Tigers’ 20m line on the second tackle.

It was looking ominous for the Tigers, but Koroisau made a strong effort, knocking the ball out of Ronaldo Mulitalo’s hands from marker.

Immediately the Sharks players called for a sin bin for a professional foul and referee Adam Gee obliged.

Koroisau erupted however, attempting to challenge with the Tigers skipper arguing “I was square”.

Initially, the commentators were on the referee’s side but that quickly flipped upon watching the replay.

“It’s a Judgement call, that’s why it’s not challengeable — that’s questionable in itself,” Fox League’s Dan Ginnane explained in commentary.

Corey Parker said Koroisau was correct.

“Frustrating for Api Koroisau, who wanted to challenge that he didn’t get square. It would be a fair challenge if he did,” Parker said.

“He was standing there in front.

“(Braydon) Trindall (who played the ball) rocks out to his left. I would suggest, in my opinion, Api Koroisau was standing in front.”

At halftime, Souths hooker Damien Cook said it was a rough call.

“After a great chase I feel like Api’s got himself square enough there, and if he allows whoever jumped out at nine another step he’s passed Api then,” he said.

“I think he (Api) did everything right. Bit harsh to be in the bin.”

Greg Alexander agreed.

“Even though his body was leaning towards where the ball was going, that’s Mulitalo who jumped out of dummy half. You watch Api’s feet get back. (He) just got back square,” he added.

“It’s a tough penalty.”

Koroisau was pretty square. Photo; Fox Sports

Is this worth 10 in the bin? Photo: Fox Sports

On Channel 9, the commentators initially thought Koroisau was dead to rights.

“This is a sin bin for your life,” Mat Thompson said.

But Phil Gould agreed he was square.

“Api Koroisau is emphatic that he was square and that he had every right to come around and try to disrupt that,” Gould said. “He’s square.”

“That’s play on,” Andrew Johns agreed.

Gould continued: “Of course it’s play on. But because of the situation and the long break and the team on the attack, the tolerance level from referees diminishes greatly. Api is saying “I’m square, I’m square’. He would not have been penalised for that moment anywhere else in the game in any position on the field. But because its long break is made, the tolerance level comes down enormously.

“And it is a big ten minutes now without their main man defending their own line with a team of kids.”

Fans also hit out at the decision.

Dual-code international Lote Tuqiri posted: “Api & @WestsTigers have been dudded again!!”

Fox League commentator Andrew Voss commented: “Question. What is difference been a defence penalised for inside 10 metres on goal line & interfere with play in try scoring scenario(as Sharks did in 34th min) & what Api supposedly did and was sin-binned? The bin for the 1st offence is not even a consideration.”

Koroisau couldn't believe it. Photo: Fox Sports

Former reporter Ray Gatt said: “Another shocking sin bin. But we are not helping ourselves.”

Another fan wrote: “Sin bin horrendous but we’re used to that. Regardless team still well off the mark, Benjis coaching being shown up for what it is, amateur hour.”

Another commented: “Unbelievable. There’ll never be a stronger case to bring back the 5 minute Sin Bin after watching such egregious decisions.”

There were other that believed it was fair enough, with one tweeting: “Api sin bin is NOT controversial .. maybe a little harsh, but in real time and with Adam’s view angle, it’s a fair call.”

And while that was a rough call against the team sitting in last on the NRL ladder, the Tigers had plenty more issues.

Post-match, coach Benji Marshall apologised to fans but didn’t want to engage when asked about the sin bin.

“Didn’t matter,” he said.

Although the Sharks only scored one try during the sin bin period, the Sharks added another before the break to take a 24-6 lead.

The second half was all Sharks as they brought up the half century with just under four minutes remaining.

More worrying than the sin bin would be that Koroisau limped off with a lower leg injury late in the match.

And defensively, the Tigers let in 13 line breaks to two, and missed 48 tackles.

Originally published as ‘Dudded’: NRL erupts over ‘horrendous’ Api Koroisau sin bin drama