‘Must be a new rule’: Bennett fumes after controversial penalty costs Dolphins victory

Wayne Bennett has been coaching rugby league for almost 50 years and the Dolphins veteran said if the rule that cost his side victory on Saturday night exists - he’s never heard of it.

Wayne Bennett was left furious after the loss.

Wayne Bennett has been coaching rugby league for almost 50 years and the Dolphins veteran said if the rule that cost his side victory on Saturday night exists - he’s never heard of it.

Wests Tigers skipper Api Koroisau booted an all-time sideline penalty goal to sink the Dolphins 24-23 after the hosts were awarded a controversial penalty at the death.

Koroisau attempted a short kick-off after the Dolphins took the lead in the 75th minute thanks to a Jamayne Isaako field goal.

Watch every game of every round of the 2023 NRL Telstra Premiership Season LIVE on Kayo Sports. New to Kayo? Start your free trial now >>>

Tigers winger Junior Tupou plucked it and then threw the ball back in-field because he was being dragged into touch. But as he threw the ball Tupou earned a penalty because held had been called.

Koroisau slotted the ensuing penalty goal to win the game at Commbank Stadium and Bennett was left fuming in his post-match press conference.

Bennett didn’t question whether held had been called by referee Ben Cummins but took exception to him blowing a penalty instead of telling Tupou to play-the-ball from the mark.

Wayne Bennett was left furious after the loss.

“I think there’s a few questions that the referees will have to answer,” Bennett said.

“The issue was the tackle. I don’t believe it should have been (a penalty), if it is it’s a new rule because normally that would go back to a play-the-ball, he wasn’t put into touch.

“The second part of it was, I have no doubt he called held but it was pretty simultaneous from the held call to the ball coming out and the game depends on it it’s a pretty important decision.”

The Dolphins stunned the competition by winning the first three games of their inaugural season but they’ve now lost 10 of their past 11.

Originally published as ‘Must be a new rule’: Bennett fumes after controversial penalty costs Dolphins victory