Head coach blasts video referee’s ‘big moment’

South Sydney Rabbitohs head coach Wayne Bennett has criticised the video referee for a “big moment” call that the veteran boss feels he got wrong.

It happened midway through the second-half of Souths’ eventual loss to Penrith, when Mark Nicholls was penalised for being ‘downtown’ following an Adam Reynolds kick.

Penrith’s Stephen Crichton had caught the ball only to be felled by Cameron Murray which caused the Panthers centre to lose possession.

The bunter intervened, notifying referee Grant Atkins of Nicholls being ‘downtown’ – in other words, the Rabbitohs forward was offside when Reynolds kicked the ball.

Nicholls continued to run and instead of hanging back, went forward to confront Crichton and even picked up the ball after the latter’s error.

But, Souths boss Wayne Bennett couldn’t understand the decision.

“We’re all a bit dumbfounded by that one,” Bennett said in his post-match press conference.

“I think it might be (the rule) but as Mark said he’s done it all his career and so many others have.

“I don’t know where it came from.

“Nobody’s got any idea in that changing room.

“Nobody can believe it – because they’re all guilty of it. It was a big moment in the game no doubt about that.”