NRL 2019 | Parramatta Eels edge New Zealand Warriors 24-22 in controversial stunner

New Zealand Warriors coach Stephen Kearney was furious after the side were denied a miracle in their controversial loss to the Parramatta Eels.

The Parramatta Eels have claimed a 24-22 win over the New Zealand Warriors at Bankwest Stadium in a cloud of controversy.

The Eels held on to the lead with the final 20 minutes but a controversial forward pass call with just over three minutes remaining has left the Warriors shattered as the Eels held on for the win.

Reigning Dally M Medallist Roger Tuivasa-Sheck was left visibly upset on his haunches after the forward pass call which left commentators and fans fuming.

Tuivasa-Sheck made a break down the right wing and threw a miracle pass around the corner to find Gerard Beale on the outside who looked to stroll over the line for the match winner.

In a shock to everyone in the stadium, the referee ruled the pass forward.

It was the straw that broke the camels back for the Warriors with Stephen Kearney looked furious in the coaches box.

The commentators slammed the refereeing.

Andrew Voss said: “Tuivasa-Sheck almost pulled off the pass of the year.”

The fateful pass that was ruled forward.

But Steve Roach wasn’t convinced.

“He throws the ball out the back, it’s hard to see how the ball went forward there,” he said.

“There’s nothing wrong with that pass, it’s gone out the back.”

Braith Anasta called Tuivasa-Sheck “superhuman” before laying into the refereeing.

“They’ve had nothing go their way,” he said. “It’s been a tough afternoon, they’ve not had a lot go their way. This has been a headache this afternoon, there have been so many contentious calls.”

Roach replied: “It’s been an amazing effort considering how many penalties they’ve had against them.”

The Warriors had another late call go against them when the Eels were awarded a scrum on a potential charge down.

There was a 9-2 penalty count at full-time with a penalty within the final minute giving the Warriors a final shot.

Roger Tuivasa-Sheck was distraught after the try was turned down.

The Warriors social media account showed the fury the side felt.

WHAT!? 😡

— Vodafone Warriors (@NZWarriors) July 27, 2019

Fans were furious at the level of officiating.

@NZWarriors have not had a penalty for 70 minutes. Now they’ve been dudded by Chris Sutton for what should have been match winning try. This is officially a disgrace #NRLEelsWarriors

— BUZZ ROTHFIELD (@BuzzRothfield) July 27, 2019

Honestly, I’ve never seen a refereeing performance as bad as this. I really can’t. Forward pass called that wasn’t forward, Luke on report for a great shot, something like 9 penalties IN A ROW to Parra get Warriors can’t buy one. Disgraceful. #NRLEelsWarriors

— Matt Attard (@mattard90) July 27, 2019

Totally impartial, the Warriors seem to be getting a rough run from the referees in today’s game against Parra. One team seems to have been judged the whole game. #NRLeelswarriors

— Anthony Field (@Anthony_Wiggle) July 27, 2019

Some baffling refereeing decisions against @NZWarriors to be sure. #NRLEelsWarriors

— Craig Norenbergs (@CraigNorenbergs) July 27, 2019

Warrior coach Kearney was furious in the post-match press conference.

With arms crossed, Kearney exhaled deeply before launching to a slam of the referees.

“I think there was a bit more there that went on earlier to be honest,” he said. “I think if you’ve watched me over the past two and a half years, I’m not one for blaming, you just sound like a whingeing coach. But the penalty count is 9-1 with 30 seconds to go and then they decide to give us one.

Stephen Kearney wasn't happy with the referees.

“If they can’t adjudicate on the strip rule, just leave it alone, if they can’t get it right and it was pretty comprehensive today, just leave it as it was. I had a call during the week that were given tries last week which were no tries after the fact from Cronulla and they jump all over Roger’s play, it’s the inconsistency. You can tell I’m pretty frustrated by it all. You saw it all yourselves.

“As I said, Cronulla scored two tries last week that were no tries and in the back of my mind I thought it would come down to costing teams and club situations and I don’t think it will be the end of that and I think there will be decisions that cost clubs in the next few weeks given that is such a close competition so I just thought it was very ordinary. In essence, we could have been better in certain areas but our roles were made really hard tonight.”

When asked specifically about the Tuivasa-Sheck pass Kearney said there were plenty of issues with the refereeing standard.

“That came off the back of some pretty ordinary decisions that led into that,” he said. “Last week there were two forwards passes that were tries last week. I thought it was pretty line ball. On the back of a 9-2 penalty count. And the strip, get rid of it, if you can’t make a decision on it, just piss it off.”

Maika Sivo monstered the Warriors on the left wing.

It was a classic afternoon of rugby league with the lead changing hands throughout the enthralling contest.

Warriors winger Ken Maumolo started the highlights reel with a fourth-minute opener before Sivo’s burst and brutal fends of Beale and Blake Ayshford set up a try for Brad Taikarangi.

Young winger Ethan Parry, who ran onto a perfect Gutherson pass to register his second four-pointer in as many games, put the Eels in front though veteran hooker Issac Luke responded with a 40-30 kick and barge over from dummy half.

Beale continued the Warriors first-half spurt via a legal Tuivasa-Sheck transfer to give the visitors a 18-12 lead at the break.

The in-form Sivo got the Eels back on track in the 46th minute when he pounced on a loose Blake Green clearance before Mitchell Moses gathered a hard pass that bounced off his chest into his grasp and made a long break down the right before producing a perfect stab kick which bounced perfectly for Gutherson.

The Warriors got within two when winger Ken Maumalo crossed for his second try on the hour to draw level with joint try-scoring leader Sivo on 14.

— with AAP