‘Not in the spirit of the game’: Legends slam Jahrome Hughes dive

The Storm’s Jahrome Hughes had one hell of a game against the Broncos but one moment left a bad taste in the mouth of a trio of legends.

Jahrome Hughes wasn't happy. Photo: Fox Sports

The Melbourne Storm’s Jahrome Hughes had a night to remember against the Brisbane Broncos on Friday night but there was one play that wasn’t his finest moment.

Hughes scored a pair of tries, added a try assist, a line break and ran for 91m in an all-round brilliant performance that even earned the praised of his coach Craig Bellamy.

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But Channel 9 commentators have questioned whether he dived trying to get a penalty to save a try.

The Storm led 6-4 when the Broncos shifted the ball wide for Corey Oates to score the easiest of tries.

Only it appeared too easy and referee Adam Gee initially called it no try for an obstruction.

On the play, as the ball was shifted across, the Broncos’ Kurt Capewell ran the decoy, but upon replay, it looked as though Hughes had touched Capewell and dived to the ground.

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It was otherwise a great performance from Hughes but after the game, Andrew Johns, Cameron Smith and Darren Lockyer didn’t like the look of the act.

“They’re judging that Jahrome Hughes milked it,” Johns said.

“I totally agree with the decision, but let’s hope it’s consistent. Capewell goes through and Jahrome Hughes plays up to it.

“He’s playing for the penalty, which isn’t in the spirit of rugby league, you’re taught to compete for everything, he plays for the penalty.”

Hughes was on his way down before making contact. Photo: Fox Sports

Former Storm captain Smith said the officials were 100 per cent right not to get hoodwinked by Hughes.

“Jahrome Hughes, he wants a penalty, he’s looking for a penalty. In his mind, he thinks, ‘Well if I hit the turf here it’ll be an obstruction’, but he had every opportunity to continue his run and be involved in that play and to have an opportunity to make a tackle on Corey Oates,” Smith said.

“Everyone who’s played at least one game of rugby league knows that Jahrome could’ve stayed on his feet there.”

Lockyer agreed: “If you want to stop players milking or laying down then you have to rule against them like that.

“They’ve got to stay alive and make every effort to stay alive in the play. Obstruction is never black and white, and I think the discretion has to go to the Bunker, but if the individual, the defender, hasn’t made a fair effort to stay in the play, well then that’s the right call, 100 per cent.”

Despite a poor play, Hughes was outstanding otherwise.

Hughes had a barnstormer. Photo by Kelly Defina/Getty Images

In his post-match press conference, Bellamy was gushing in his praise.

“He’s up there with any half in the competition now I believe,” Bellamy said.

“He’s got a good kicking game, he’s got a great running game and he’s got some confidence in his leadership now as well.

“He’s not an overly confident guy, he’s not naturally confident, for him he’s got to earn his confidence I suppose.

“Over the last 18 months to two years, he’s certainly done that.”

Storm captain Jesse Bromwich has noticed a marked improvement in Hughes’ leadership qualities.

“Like Craig said, he’s not a natural talker, but these days he’s just stepping up and saying what needs to be said,” Bromwich said.

“He’s telling us what to do, not asking us what to do.”

With Lance Jenkinson, NCA Newswire