Kurt Haggerty has admitted that it’s ‘hard to be diplomatic’ or even be able to truly digest Bradford Bulls’ defeat against Wakefield Trinity on account of the number of calls he remains unclear on.
The Bulls lost 26-12 to Wakefield with that scoreline perhaps not reflecting how competitive Bradford were for long periods of the game, trailing by just four points until the 68th minute.
They also saw a Jayden Nikorima try ruled out that would have put them level with a kick to come and when speaking in his post-match presser, Haggerty pointed to the key moments going the way of Wakefield as proving pivotal in defeat. More frustrating for him was that not only did they go against his side but he didn’t always understand why.
Haggerty explained: “Usually in Super League it comes down to four or five big moments in the game and when you’re not sure why you have won or lost those moments, it’s very very difficult.
“It’s hard to wrap your head around why you’ve lost those moments, especially when it goes up to the big screen so to digest it and process it and give you a really clear answer, I don’t know.”
After Jim Lenihan’s comments about ‘unconscious bias’ last week, Haggerty appeared to allude to the same concept though he didn’t explicitly state that.
He said: “What I have learned is that when you’re at the bottom of the table, you don’t quite get them (big moments going your way). I’m not pointing the blame, that’s just how sometimes it unfortunately happens.
“The majority of the time, it’s your own fault but I didn’t think that was the case tonight.”
Bradford Bulls boss unclear on major calls
As for which big moments he felt really swung the game, Haggerty identified Bradford’s inconclusive captain’s challenge for a Wakefield knock-on. Full-back Josh Rourke went up for the ball and seemingly knocked the ball on but when the Bulls challenged, video referee Chris Kendall couldn;t confirm that.
Instead of a Bradford penalty in Wakefield’s half, Trinity got the ball and would score from the result set and Haggerty admitted: “That one in particular stands out to me… They are the big moments. Usually when that happens it’s a penalty that leads to a try and they are the big moments and we’ve got to be more resilient but we didn’t quite get that right tonight.
“Like I said, it’s very hard to be diplomatic and digest it right now.”
Haggerty also spoke further about his frustrations at being unclear on decisions, even explaining that the fourth official could not help offer a reason why calls had been made.
He explained: “There were a few times when I’ve seen a decision and I’ve sent it down to my staff pitchside to ask the fourth official why that decision has been made and when you don’t get that information back, it’s very difficult.
“I think it adds to the frustration for sure. I asked for clarity on a couple of occasions and we couldn’t get the clarity because they (the fourth official) weren’t sure.
“For example, there was a penalty around 20 minutes into the second half that he’s given against us and I have absolutely no idea why.”
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