NRL exposed by Dragons’ seventh tackle try debacle in Dolphins loss

The NRL will be thanking its lucky stars the Dolphins beat the Dragons after a bungled call led to an illegal try sneaking through.

This shouldn't have been a try. Photo: Fox Sports

The Dragons are last on the ladder and were listless in a 26-12 loss against the Dolphins on Thursday night — but it turns out it could have got worse.

The NRL has been forced into action after the Dragons’ first try — a fifth minute score for Jack Bird — should never have been awarded.

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The Sunday Telegraph revealed the try was scored on a seventh tackle as the Dragons hit the early lead.

While it didn’t effect the score in the end as the Dolphins led 18-12 at halftime and kept the Dragons scoreless in the second half, it has already forced the NRL to change the process for sending tries to the Bunker.

The issue was pinpointed by referees boss Jared Maxwell who claimed on-field referee Adam Gee counted the fourth tackle twice after the Bunker overturned an on-field try earlier in the set.

On the actual fourth tackle, Dragons five-eighth Talatau Amone had been deemed to have been tackled when his ball carrying arm was grounded while Dolphins forward Kenny Bromwich held his leg.

Amone had then skipped back to his feet and dived for the line after Gee had ruled he had not been held.

But on review, Bunker official Chris Butler overturned the decision.

Jack Bird could have been awarded an eight-point try for the score that should never have been. Photo: Fox Sports

So the Dragons went back to play the ball and played the ball — on the fourth tackle.

After a hit up on what should have been the final tackle of the set, Jack Bird scored on what was the seventh play of the set.

However the blame has fallen on the rare occurrence that after the try was disallowed, it came back for a play the ball.

“I can pinpoint where it’s happened,” Maxwell said. “When have you seen a bunker overturn a try and then the restart is a play the ball? I don’t think I’ve seen that ever.

“It’s not good enough but it is incredibly rare. No one (on Thursday) references what the tackle count is.

“They have replayed the play instead of calling it as the next tackle. The tackle count has just been put to a side and then everyone verbalises that it is tackle four. Everyone has four in their head but it should have been fifth and last.”

Another kick in the teeth for the Dragons. Photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images

If the Dragons had won, the result would not have been overturned as it’s famously not the first occurrence.

The Sharks won a 2013 elimination final thanks to a seventh tackle try.

Maxwell said the on-field referee will now verbalise the next tackle count before the Bunker takes a look.

“When they request the bunker to review a try scoring play the first thing that comes out of the referee’s mouth is the tackle count,” Maxwell said. “Now they will document the tackle count even if they have awarded the try.

“It’s not worth the referee going into detail about the play about what you believe has occurred, because the video review system will check that.”