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Phil Gould’s scathing response to Penrith try drama

Phil Gould has torched the decisions that “robbed” the Panthers on Sunday with one detail leaving him flabbergasted.

3 min read
February 25, 2024 - 2:30PM
Phil Gould couldn't believe it. Photo: Fox League and Facebook, NRL on Nine.
Phil Gould couldn't believe it. Photo: Fox League and Facebook, NRL on Nine.
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Phil Gould was at a loss to explain the controversial decisions that “robbed” the Panthers in the controversial World Club Challenge on Sunday morning.

The NRL champs fell short after a thrilling finish that wasn’t decided until a video referee verdict after the 80th minute.

There has been anger from across the Australian rugby league landscape after two howlers and a third contentious call all went the way of the home team at the DW Stadium in Wigan.

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Wigan deserved the 16-12 victory in the eyes of many, but that doesn’t excuse the referee blunders.

Perhaps the biggest blunder of the whole game came in the 53rd minute when Jake Wardle was awarded a try by the video referee despite replays indicating a clear double movement.

“I can’t see a definitive reposition of that ball back to the line,” the video referee said.

“I’ve got a live call of a try, I have insufficient evidence to overturn the live call. I’m happy with these angles I need, I’ve made my decision.”

Gould said after the game on Channel 9, Wardle’s try line reach was a clear double movement and said the livewire centre didn’t even ground the ball.

“I could build a block of units between the ball and the try line,” Gould said with a smile.

“Nowhere near it.”

Phil Gould couldn't believe it. Photo: Fox League and Facebook, NRL on Nine.
Phil Gould couldn't believe it. Photo: Fox League and Facebook, NRL on Nine.

Despite fellow commentators Paul Gallen and Brad Fittler disagreeing with him, Gould went on to say: “I could get DA approval for a block of units on that grass there. Nowhere near it”.

Fittler agreed there were “two” double movements, but handed his glasses to Gould during the broadcast to mock the 66-year-old.

With Panthers fans already fuming about the decisions from the man upstairs, the final play of the game was also embroiled in controversy.

Running the ball from 20m out with just seconds remaining, Penrith went wide to their left edge and appeared to have stolen a famous victory when Taylan May barged over in the corner.

May had two defenders trying to wrap the ball in their hands as he fell over the white line - and the cameras weren’t able to show any sign of the ball when May hit the deck.

The on-field referee sent it up to the video referee with a no-try ruling and the video referee said there was not enough conclusive evidence to overturn the decision.

Taylan May was denied with the final play of the game.
Taylan May was denied with the final play of the game.

The reaction from NRL commentators surrounding the Wardle and May incidents was scathing.

“I don’t know how he (the referee) could award that a try or go up with a try,” Fox League’s Braith Anasta said about the Wardle try.

“He wasn’t in a good position, he couldn’t see the ball go down on the ground.

“That’s a no try.”

NRL reporter Martin Gabor wrote on X, formerly Twitter: “I think I got closer to the line than Wardle. And I’m sitting on my couch in Sydney. That’s a shocking decision”.

Former Dragons star Jamie Soward posted: “How can the ref call that. Absolutely rubbish. Double movement every day of the week. Worst call of 2024.

“That is absolute rubbish. The other angle is even worse. If the red sends it up no try it’s no try. I’m not watching anymore this is rubbish to have that give the lead in what’s a good game.”

Former Panthers star Josh Mansour posted: “Bias refereeing….how does the ref award try with the angle and look from the last Wigan try and in similar circumstances award no try on Taylans effort.”

Panthers icon Mark Geyer wrote: “Ya gotta beat more than the 17 in Wigan jerseys! 3 shocking decisions from the dude in the blue shirt wearing a balaclava”.

James Gordon wrote on Twitter: “Penrith have been absolutely mugged here by what is basically two guesses at try/no try”.

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Original URL: https://www.news.com.au/sport/nrl/phil-goulds-scathing-response-to-penrith-try-drama/news-story/75f4ba423e4765bf933f4b19bf5c21f5