Warriors coach Andrew Webster’s perfect answer to shoulder charge question

Rookie coach Andrew Webster has to be the early frontrunner for coach of the year and his answer to this question explains exactly why.

Andrew Webster is already a master. Photo: Fox Sports and NRL

The Sydney Roosters will return home with two points after a 14-0 win over the New Zealand Warriors at Mount Smart Stadium, but the Kiwis have once again lost no fans.

While torrential rain spoiled what could have been an interesting attacking contest, the Warriors kept it tight but couldn’t break through themselves.

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The biggest talking point was a hit from Roosters forward Sitili Tupouniua, which fans were adament was a shoulder charge.

With 20 minutes remaining in the game, fans accused Tupouniua of the illegal hit on the Warriors’ Marcelo Montoya.

On Fox League, Warren Smith said: “No problem there in terms of the contact. Fans watching it on replay may have been wanting a shoulder charge from Tupouniua.

“It’s a good rugby league tackle.”

Shane Flanagan said it was a “tough one” because while his right arm was up, his leg arm was down by his side.

The salt was rubbed into the wound later in the set as Tupouniua scored, much to the fury of fans.

Fans weren't happy with Tupouniua's contact. Photo: Fox Sports

New Zealand reporter Tiffany Salmond tweeted: “What a bulls**t game. In todays climate where you’re sin binned for tapping someone on the head, the Roosters are able to make a clear as day shoulder charge and then score. I’m over it.”

1NewsNZ reporter Guy Heveldt said: “Just said in another reply that it’s overplayed a lot by Warriors fans … But that shoulder charge was utter bollocks. They’re getting completely outplayed though.”

Freelance combat sports reporter Jordan Patu posted: “Blatant shoulder charge goes unpunished then the shoulder charging player scores. Just another day in the NRL.”

While social media was on fire after the match with complaint about the referees, Webster had a simple ethos: “We were the ones who had the impact on the result tonight.”

“They decided it wasn’t a shoulder charge. I know you know that but that’s the difference,” he said.

“They have time to look at it in the Bunker and they obviously feel it’s not. I’ll continue not to talk about it.”

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.”

Andrew Webster isn't silly. Photo: NRL.com

Webster was then questioned over whether he thought it wasn’t going to be the Warriors day when the Roosters scored a minute later, Webster explained why he doesn’t hit out at the referees.

“I’ve just said this from word go — honestly, every press conference I’ve gone to this year, someone’s asked me about a referee or a decision or a moment and when I get it, they’re probably looking for me to get fined or make a stupid comment, which I get because it gives you a story to write,” he said.

“But the thing that happens next, we can control that. No one else can control that. It’s not going to be perfect, the refs aren’t going to get it right (every time).

“I get frustrated at times like anyone but at the end of the day, they scored after that because of us, not because of referee decisions or Bunkers or things like that.

“I’m like anyone, I get frustrated and you’re probably sitting here thinking because I don’t yell and blow up and get fined that I don’t, but it’s part of the game. We control what happens next.”

Webster’s signing appeared to be the one with the most question marks heading into the new season but he has turned the club around, despite two straight losses.

A traditionally free-spirited yet undisciplined side, the Warriors are living the accountability Webster constantly backs up in the press conference room.

Originally published as Warriors coach Andrew Webster’s perfect answer to shoulder charge question