Wigan Warriors were crowned Champions of the World after they defeated NRL Premiers Penrith Panthers 16-12 in a brilliant World Club Challenge that underlined the quality of the two sides.
However, many down under and particularly the Penrith Panthers will feel aggrieved by the defeat due to a number of controversial moments not least the decision to award Wigan’s winning try.
Former Huddersfield Giants and Warrington Wolves centre Jake Wardle was in many ways the hero as Wigan won the Grand Final last October picking up the Harry Sunderland Award as Man of the Match and the centre looked to recreate those heroics against Penrith as he stormed to the line from a Jai Field pass but appeared to be held short.
However, Liam Moore sent the try up to video referee Chris Kendall as a try and Kendall could not find the evidence to overturn the on field decision and thus the try stood giving Wigan a famous win.
NRL chief believes Wigan Warriors try was awarded due to inferior technology
Speaking to the Daily Telegraph, the NRL’s Head of Football Graham Annesley believed the decision was due in part to the Super League’s inferior technology and the approach that comes with it.
“Some time ago, we got rid of the referee making an on-field call on the scoring of tries so the Bunker could review the decision independently,” he said.
“In the case of a try, it gets reviewed in the background without the referee making a call one way or the other.
“I know the Super League doesn’t have the same technology that we have, but I think the fact that the referee called it a try on the field and then the Bunker had to find evidence to overrule it is what potentially caused the issue.
“I think the need to find sufficient evidence to overrule that decision is what led to yesterday’s issue.”
Annesley also spoke about the change of rules in the NRL as seen in the Pre-season Challenge: “Pre-season matches are an opportunity to get the kinks out and get into a bit of a pattern that will take us into the competition.
“I think the coaches have been diligent with trying to work with the referees to address the areas that we raised with them during the off-season.”
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Paul Chippindale
February 28, 2024 at 12:53 pm
Surprise surprise, I am backing the referee. The referee is standing in the in goal area. The Wigan player in possession of the ball is tackled on the ground just short of the goal line and parallel to it, by two Penrith players. Part of the Wigan players lower body is on/over the goal line. His back to the referee so that the ball cannot be seen. . A third Penrith player comes round into the in goal area forcing the Wigan player back into the field of play.
The referee has to see/find the ball to make a decision. As it a play on the fifth tackle how does he restart play ? The referee moves into the field of play to see where the ball is. At that point in time the referee view is that the ball is on the goal line. So try.
I think more attention should have been spent deciding if the Wigan player made a double movement to get the ball on the goal line.
IS IT POSSIBLE NOT TO MENTION NAME. OR JUST PUT. OLD WHISTLE BLOWER