Boss of Warriors major sponsor accuses NRL of ‘cheating of the highest order’

The CEO of the New Zealand Warriors’ major sponsor has unleashed a withering attack on the NRL after another tough loss.

The Warriors aren’t happy. Photo by Hannah Peters/Getty Images

The NRL is reportedly set to review comments made by the CEO of One NZ Jason Paris after he accused the game of “cheating of the highest order”.

The Warriors had a phenomenal start to the season but have dipped outside the top eight for the first time after an 18-6 loss to the Penrith Panthers at Magic Round.

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But the club’s fans have been fuming over recent weeks as the side suffered three straight losses — and all three have had fans fuming over refereeing decisions.

After the club’s Magic Round loss to the Panthers, which came with some controversial calls, Paris hit out at the NRL.

Are you kidding me? How biased are are the @NRL bunker and referees against the @NZWarriors ? Have they got money on them to lose? It’s like we are permanently against 14 on the field and they want us to play with 12. Huge courage from the boys 💪🔥👊

— Jason Paris (@JasonCParis) May 6, 2023

It’s absolutely outrageous and so incredibly frustrating. Imagine how the team feel - three games in 11 days and then this rubbish. Cheating of the highest order.

— Jason Paris (@JasonCParis) May 6, 2023

In another tweet reply, Paris said: “For the last two weeks we have had players receiving clear & direct shots to the head, it was reviewed and cleared by the bunker. Last week against the roosters that same player then scored a try against us soon after (admittedly it was a great try) and then yesterday same thing at a crucial time and it would been a momentum swing for us, but instead we lose two players for ten minutes for very marginal calls. It’s the inconsistency that drives me crazy.”

He also echoed comments from Sky Sport NZ, where the commentators said: “The Panthers were spoon fed the game by the referees”.

The Daily Telegraph reported that the NRL was looking into the comments.

“The NRL is aware of the comments and will be reviewing them closely,” a spokesperson said.

But Paris was far from alone as Warriors fans have been fuming for weeks.

At Magic Round, Warriors coach Andrew Webster has been good at holding his tongue but almost stepped over the line.

“I’m going to take a hat around and get you guys to pay for my fine,” he said. “If you all want to chip in, I’ll give you whatever you want.”

The Warriors were not happy. Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images

It came after several controversial calls that saw Dallin Watene-Zelezniak essentially ruled out of the final 15 minutes of the match for an eye poke, while Demitric Sifakula was sin binned for a “striking action” on Nathan Cleary in the 65th minute.

The commentators called it a “jumper punch”, while Webster claimed his hand was open when the issue happened.

Post-match, Cleary didn’t even realise he’d been tapped by Sifakula, saying he only had eyes for Josh Curran, with whom he was in a pushing match.

It’s far from the first time either as in the 30-22 loss on Anzac Day, the fans were blowing up over what appeared to be a knock on that gave the Storm the first lead of the match.

In the 14-0 loss to the Roosters, Sitili Tupouniua scored minutes after what appeared to be a shoulder charge.

Warriors coach Andrew Webster deflected the question as he continued to not bite at journalist questions.

Asked if he thought it was a shoulder charge, Webster replied with a smile: “Did I think it was a shoulder charge? I dunno. I’ll leave it at that.”

Originally published as Boss of Warriors major sponsor accuses NRL of ‘cheating of the highest order’