Oh, that whacky Bunker!
It was up to its old tricks again last night, denying a try that every man and his dog would have awarded.
During Parramatta’s 36-14 loss to Brisbane, Eels centre Waqa Blake scored a beautiful try in the left corner that could have changed the course of the game.
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It was awarded on field by referee Gerard Sutton.
Channel 9 commentator Cam Smith said: “They are going to award the try… but I did see a Broncos player go down…. looking at it live, he was well in field, and I don’t think he will have an actual play in the end.”
Sure enough, the interference of Broncos skipper Adam Reynolds by Paramatta’s Makahesi Makatoa was scrutinised over and eventually the Bunker hit the red button, deeming Reynolds was taken out and denied the opportunity to make a tackle.
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“No!” Smith screamed from the commentary box.
“I totally disagree with that,” his colleague Billy Slater added.
To which Smith replied: “I’m with you Billy. You see the movement of Adam Reynolds; he stands squarely in front of the attacking player of Parramatta, and he hits him square on… that’s a tough one for Parra.”
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The discussion continued after the game, with Johnathan Thurston weighing in.
"I don't think he was going to have any influence on the play at all," JT explained.
"So, too smart, and got one over the Bunker there! That's the shame about the Bunker."
Andrew Johns was seeing red.
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“Just go shoulder to shoulder, when they run the decoy, just fall over, and get the penalty every time! We need a former player in the Bunker... honestly, Mr Magoo could see he changed his line to go in.
Johns added: “He comes in! He comes into the back rower’s space and then leans in!"
Of course, skipper Adam Reynolds saw things very differently.
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When asked if he though he was in the wrong he replied: “I don’t think so.”
“Set myself pretty tight to get myself in front of that lead runner. He’s a big body so I needed to get myself in front of him.
“Tried to check him and release, got bumped. It’s part of the rules.”
Ahh, that damn obstruction rule.
Gets me every time.
Topics: Australia, NRL, Rugby League
Danielle Smith