‘Never seen it before’: Cowboys star fumes as referee says sorry

An NRL referee has been forced to into an apology after being schooled on the rules by a Cowboys star in a moment “never seen before”.

Chad Townsend protests with Gerard Sutton.

North Queensland halfback Chad Townsend forced referee Gerard Sutton into an apology during an extraordinary moment during the Cowboys’ stunning comeback win over Manly on Friday night.

Townsend argued with Sutton when the referee sent a decision to the NRL bunker after believing the Cowboys had made a captain’s challenge towards a knock-on call that went in Manly’s favour.

Sutton sent the decision to the Bunker when multiple Cowboys players walked towards him, calling for the decision to be overturned.

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However, Townsend, the Cowboys’ nominated captain, was not involved in the mob that was barking at Sutton.

The former Sharks playmaker eventually got to Sutton and told the official to cancel the challenge.

“The captain calls the challenge,” Townsend said.

“I didn’t call it. I didn’t speak to you. I am telling you. It will come from the captain sir. That’s the call.

“Mate, that is not how it works. Come to me. You ask me.”

Chad Townsend protests with Gerard Sutton.

Sutton, to his credit, was prepared to fess up when he messed up and reversed his decision.

“I had three blokes call it, I’m sorry,” Sutton said to Townsend.

“I’m sorry if it wasn’t you. I had three guys call it and I thought you were one of them.”

He went on to tell video official Chris Butler: “Sorry Bucky. Chad has not called it.

“Three other blokes have called it. They are not challenging.

“I thought it was Chad Townsend, but it wasn’t. It was Tom Dearden.”

Fox League’s Andrew Voss said: “Wow, I haven’t seen that before.

“Townsend has gone toe to toe with Sutton saying I’m the captain, I’m the captain.

“Have you seen someone as worked up saying I am not challenging?”

Cooper Cronk praised Sutton for admitting his error.

“I am going to give the referee credit here because the captain Chad Townsend declared that he didn’t say a thing,” Cronk said.

“And it is the captain’s challenge. So he has overruled.”