Jon Wilkin has given his take on the St Helens try that has divided the rugby league world over the last few days. The try came on Saturday night as St Helens battled back at the death to beat Leeds Rhinos and seal their spot in the play-off semi-finals.
Shane Wright was the man who scored the winner with a try for the ages, but it’s Bennison’s effort just a few minutes before that has been the major talking point coming away from that game at Headingley.
Reaching out with just a few minutes on the clock, Bennison’s effort was initially sent up to the video referee by Jack Smith as no try. The replays Chris Kendall viewed provided enough evidence for the video referee to overturn the on-field decision and award the effort.
However, angles have been seen since that suggested Bennison may not have got the ball down on the line. Leeds were understandably aggrieved with the decision after the game and in the days that have followed, the governing body have apologised for what they have admitted was a refereeing error.
The RFL admit that if the other angles available to Kendall had been viewed, there would have been enough doubt not to overturn the on-field call.
On the governing body’s decision to apologise for the call, Sky Sports pundit Jon Wilkin raised concerns about the precedent it sets moving forward.
“We’ve seen it across sport in the world,” he said. “I watched Sky Sports News this morning and there was a discussion on VAR and how much input it has in football and cricket, the technology used there is often criticised for the length of time it takes.
“They made a quick decision. My instinct was it was a try. I still believe it probably was a try, everybody in our studio thought it was a try. The subsequent angles and the still photographs make it appear that it’s not.
“If it is a bad decision, look, we get these wrong. Where do you stop apologising? Do you apologise for giving Jake Wardle’s try in the World Club Challenge? Do you apologise for Mick Withers touching the ball? Do you apologise for Lee Smith being offside in the 2009 Grand Final? It’s a regrettable part of sport that video referees and referees get things wrong.
“It shouldn’t take away from… Leeds had opportunities to win this game and Brad Arthur, if he’s the man we all know he is, he’ll be looking at the things they could have done, rather than pointing the finger of blame at the officials, which occasionally, we’ve got to accept, will get things wrong. We’re always in a balance between being accurate and being quick and that’s the challenge in all sports, not just ours.”
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Colin Smith
October 3, 2025 at 1:33 pm
Yet another biased opinion from an ex player and who did he play for
Oh St Helens
Sky sports is full of pundits that are ex players the majority of who either played for Wigan or Saints, that’s the main reason I cancelled my Sky sports subscription.
Glenn Waterworth
October 4, 2025 at 3:56 pm
Totally agree with Mr Coiln Smith.
It’s about time Mr Wilkin, is reminded. That as a member of the commentary team he should remain unbiased.
Or does this not matter, when you work for SKY broadcasting.