‘What the hell?’: First half clock debacle baffles State of Origin fans

Rugby League fans were scratching their heads after a stunning oversight saw confusion reign in a first half that seemed to go on forever.

Confusing clock debacle infuriates fans

Fans have been left scratching their heads and infuriated after a stunning debacle that seemingly saw an extra five minutes and 22 seconds added to the first half of the all-important State of Origin game II.

The first half of the match seemed to go at a frenetic pace for fans at home but at the same time felt like it went forever due to an epic mistake that left many viewers furious.

When Josh Addo-Carr was called back for a forward pass after 36 and a half minutes of the first half, fans were forced to do a double take as the clock reverted back to 31 minutes and eight seconds.

Can we get an explanation on the clock here please @NRLonNine ? #origin pic.twitter.com/T2dcH4McQ5

— Jai Bednall (@jaibednall) June 23, 2019

Queensland fans, while happy about Addo-Carr’s try being called back for a forward pass from James Maloney, would have looked on in horror as Tom Trbojevic scored his second try in the 35th minute, the second time the clock passed the mark in the game.

The gaffe saw host broadcaster Channel 9 slammed for adding the extra time but the host explained it by saying it was an issue with the clock provider and that the problem was “quickly resolved”.

Our State of Origin clock was displaying the incorrect time for a period of the first half due to an issue with our provider. The issue was quickly resolved and the correct time shown for the rest of the half. #origin

— NRL on Nine (@NRLonNine) June 23, 2019

But the lack of specificity made some people unsure with some fans believing the time had been added to the game time.

There was also no clear explanation to TV viewers during the broadcast and lead commentator Ray Warren appeared as confused as everyone else.

“We have had nearly 37 minutes,” he said as the first half approached its conclusion. “There was an occasion I called it 31 gone some time ago. I was reading it was 31. But anyway, it is up to 37 now.”

Fans were angered by the mistake and took to social media to slam the rights holder.

This has been a sloppy production from ch9 tonight. Wrong photo for DCE in pre-game. Clock didn’t stop. Couple of other minor things. Probably using a few local crew in the production trucks who might not be as familiar with rugby league #stateoforigin

— Mark Gottlieb (@MarkGottliebFOX) June 23, 2019

What the hell just happened to the TV clock? #Origin

— Garrett Mundy (@GarrettIvo) June 23, 2019

That half went exactly 47 minutes and 45 seconds. Good luck figuring out why. #Origin

— Garrett Mundy (@GarrettIvo) June 23, 2019

.@GibsMoore: “It might sound pedantic, but if the clock is wrong (on the scoreboard at Perth stadium). That is what the players are looking at. Get it right people.” #StateOfOrigin

— Ben Cameron (@BenCameron23) June 23, 2019

Did they really play an extra five minutes in the first half? Television clocks would suggest they did ... #Origin

— James Willoughby (@jwilloughby26) June 23, 2019

Did the time clock change on the coverage? I thought the Blues has barely made an interchange #StateOfOrigin

— Michael Carayannis (@MCarayannis) June 23, 2019

Is there something wrong with the channel 9 clock? Went from 36:28 to 31:09. What’s happening there? #StateOfOrigin2019 @wwos

— Damo Hall (@dvh259) June 23, 2019

It’s not the first time this series Channel 9 has been under fire about its coverage.

Fans were left fuming because of a streaming bungle minutes after kick-off for Game I of the series.

One of the biggest sporting events in Australia each year, Game I brought a surge of viewers to their devices to stream the match.

A wave of fans took to social media early on in the spectacle to slam interruptions to Nine’s coverage.

Some viewers said for a moment they could only view the match through the shaky cameras being worn by the referees.