Roosters captain Braith Anasta fustrated by referees' decisions in loss to Broncos

BRIATH Anasta sat in the post-match press conference and banged his head on the table as discussion centred on the farcical performance of the referees.

Braith Anasta and Matt Cecchin

SYDNEY Roosters captain Braith Anasta sat in the post-match press conference and banged his head on the table as discussion centred on the farcical performance of the referees.

Anasta had been frustrated when he approached the referees several times yesterday as four howling errors marred Brisbane's 40-22 win over the Roosters at Allianz Stadium.

While the officiating errors were split and resulted in two tries each, both camps were equally puzzled by Matt Cecchin, Adam Devcich and video referee Bernard Sutton.

Sutton gave Peter Wallace the benefit of the doubt for a double movement try.

Cecchin awarded the Roosters two first-half tries that were clear fumbles without checking with Sutton.

But Devcich made the greatest howler, allowing Lachlan Maranta to run an extra 40m after fighting for the ball on the ground.

The Broncos scored on the very next play.

Roosters coach Brian Smith labelled the decision "bewildering". Broncos players admitted they thought play would be stopped and coach Anthony Griffin called the decisions "funny".

Anasta has given up trying to figure out what's happening.

"It was very bizarre. I didn't understand it," Anasta said.

"I'm sick of talking about it. I wouldn't say it cost us the game. We cost ourselves the game tonight. It doesn't help and it's frustrating.

"I don't know how to approach (referees) any more. You try to be too nice and you don't get anywhere. If you go over the top, you get criticised from the media.

Braith Anasta and Matt Cecchin

"I don't know if it's been us, but I feel more so than any other year that it's affected our games and our performances immensely."

Smith hinted that the officials could face demotion this week.

It would be a giant fall for Cecchin, who refereed Origin I just over a fortnight ago.

"We've had three video referees dropped after games and one or two referees or touch judges.

"I smell another one or two at the moment," Smith said.