Ex referee explains “controversial” Chris Kendall decision

Wigan Warriors and Warrington Wolves served up a classic clash last night.

It was certainly a classic in the first 40 with both sides playing at a great pace on the back of a quick ruck which made Daryl Clark a massive threat out of dummy half.

He created the opening try for James Harrison as he received an offload, darted across the Wigan defensive line before feeding a short ball to Harrison to score.

Wigan would level matters when a lovely ball from Bevan French went to Liam Marshall to allow him to scamper in at the corner.

Then Clark got himself a try before the try of the game came from Wigan to leave it at 12-all.

However it could be argued that they were lucky to be all square at half time with their first try coming from an offside penalty from a Ben Currie kick Phil Clarke said was controversial.

“It was a controversial call. The rules state that players have to be outside 10 metres of the player waiting to catch the ball,” he said on Sky Sports.

“Your definition there of if any Wigan players there were going to catch the ball is debateable and you could argue that Ben Currie, who kicked the ball, had gotten them back onside but the official said they are offside and Wigan took full advantage.”

Former official Ian Smith explained the controversial decision after the game on social media explaining that players were within the 10 before Currie got them onside.

“Yeah it was a close one but players just within ten as field was running towards the ball to get into a position to receive it before Currie played them back onside. Very close though.”

Yeah it was a close one but players just within ten as field was running towards the ball to get into a position to receive it before currie played them back onside. Very close though

— Ian Smith (@Iansmith2468) July 14, 2023

That wasn’t the only controversial call in the game.

Jon Wilkin was left dismayed by a penalty for Wigan as Paul Vaughan was penalised:

“That’s a shocker. What? That’s not a penalty. He has just had someone rub his head on the ground, and he has gotten up and walked towards him.

“What is that now a penalty? It is a penalty if you walk towards someone with intent in your eyes?

“It is a shocking decision from Chris Kendall.”