Former Sky commentator shuts down angry fans as footage emerges of controversial St Helens try

After the games on Sunday as Leeds Rhinos and Leigh Leopards did battle, Hull FC and Wakefield Trinity locked horns and St Helens defeated Salford Red Devils away, the major talking point came from what was the game of the day, maybe the game of the round.

This was of course the meeting between Saints and Salford. The Red Devils were celebrating 150 years in front of 6,500 fans at the AJ Bell and led 15-2.

However, things eventually unravelled and the Red Devils conceded 16 unanswered points losing 18-15 to the Champions.

After the game Paul Rowley wasn’t happy saying it was “a good game spoiled” branding official Jack Smith “a disgrace.”

His main sticking points included a try given to Matty Lees, on which he said:

“It’s quite interesting because we had a try off a Tim Lafai big hit the other week which they got wrong. That one was more wrong, so no we’ve not had any reasoning because you know you can’t really talk to officials, you’re not really allowed to.”

He was also critical of a missed foot in touch from Tee Ritson:

“Well, it’s a bright coloured boot and he’s right there. I mean come on answers on a postcard, you’re doing the interview for me and I really appreciate it. You’re saying it and others journalist there are agreeing to it, but I’m meant to keep my mouth shut. The word for that is incompetent.

“I mean I’ve not got the best of eyes myself but I was 60 foot up in the air and I could see it so I’m assuming we don’t employ blind touches.”

These happened just moments apart as the Ritson incident led to the Lees try.

As footage emerges of these incidents on social media, former Sky Sports commentator Rod Studd has defended the officials. He said as he quoted footage of the try which came under the description “simply terrible officiating”:

“For more context, the ball appears to come off the 7 in the defending team hence it’s play on. The defending team reacted much more slowly than the attacking team. Good try. Brilliant decision by the referee bearing in mind he doesn’t have video replays.”

For even more context, the ball appears to come off the 7 in the defending team hence it’s play on. The defending team reacted much more slowly than the attacking team. Good try. Brilliant decision by the referee bearing in mind he doesn’t have video replays https://t.co/d7hmqyAu2n

— Rod Studd (@Rod_Studd) August 8, 2023