The NRL bunker is already causing controversy and headaches for league fans

The NRL has been under fire off the field, but the heat has now turned back to a familiar source of anger after an opening round howler.

The NRL season kicked off and the return of the footy saw fans clamour to stadiums across the country and park themselves on the couch to catch as much of the action as possible.

But like the return of any sporting code, not all fans were happy with how things unfolded in the opening week.

And it didn’t take long for fans and commentators to turn on the referees and the often controversial bunker.

In only the second game of the season, the controversy reached fever pitch during the Newcastle Knights and Cronulla Sharks game.

A penalty try awarded to the Sharks sent commentators and fans into a tailspin with many arguing the call was the wrong one.

“It’s just fait accompli that Katoa is tackled here without the ball, not a penalty try though because he’s not the one who’s going to score,” Andrew Voss said in commentary.

“You can’t say Katoa’s going to score because the ball is travelling too fast.”

A well-weighted kick from Shaun Johnson sets up the first try for the @Cronulla_Sharks.#NRLKnightsSharks 8-8 with 7 minutes to go. #TelstraPremiership pic.twitter.com/QRbSuMwJFI

— NRL (@NRL) March 15, 2019

But the bunker clearly saw things differently as the video ref responded and awarded the penalty try to the Sharks.

“Edrick Lee performs a professional foul on Sione Katoa,” he said. “Because Sione Katoa is the lead runner and ahead of Josh Dugan, it is likely that he would have scored a try.”

The decision sent Voss over the edge and caused incredible division among NRL fans on social media.

“What?” Voss erupted. “The ball turned right. This is going to be huge.”

The referee was even confused with “he takes him out and as he’s the lead chaser, there’s a chance that he’s definitely going to score the try”.

“Controversy in rugby league, they go hand-in-hand — it’s a beautiful marriage,” Voss said.

Despite the incredible opening round, the head scratching decision continues to come under fire with Australian cricket great Mark Waugh slamming the bunker.

“I saw the worst bunker call I’ve ever seen in the history of the NRL against the Knights, no way you can award a penalty try for that,” Waugh said.

Thankfully the decision didn’t cost the Knights the game after a 74th minute try from Lee saw them get over the line against the Sharks.

But fans still aren’t happy with the league and its officials as they continue to leave their mark on contests.

The Newcastle Knights will be back in action on Saturday afternoon when they take on the Penrith Panthers and fans of both sides will be hoping the game is decided between the players and not courtesy of an innocuous decision made in the bunker.