The North Queensland Cowboys are ruing a crucial Bunker decision mid-way through the second half of their loss against the Cronulla Sharks in Townsville.
Down 14-12, Jason Taumalolo looked to have crashed over to give the Cowboys the lead for the first time.
The try was given by referee Adam Gee, before the Bunker ruled Reece Robson – who was running as a support player alongside Taumalolo – denied Sharks forward Braden Hamlin-Uele the chance to make a tackle.
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Giving expert comments on Fox Sports’ coverage, Steve Roach suggested Taumalolo would’ve scored anyway.
“I don’t really agree with it, but that is the rule,” he said.
“He couldn’t make an attempt, but I don’t think he would have stopped him.”
On the sideline, Cowboys great Brent Tate labeled the ruling “ridiculous”.
“I just don’t understand that. When we talk about the feel of the game and letting the game flow. That is just a really silly decision,” he said.
“We talk about common sense and there is just no common sense in that rule or that decision.”
Taumalolo grounded the ball under the uprights, and a conversion would’ve given the Cowboys an 18-14 lead.
Coach Todd Payten said Hamlin-Uele deliberately made contact with Robson.
“He intentionally runs up the back the support player … how was he going to stop (Taumalolo), though? I think he would’ve just pushed him further into the goal area,” he said.
Taumalolo said there was little more Robson could’ve done.
“He was obviously there. What is meant to do? He can’t just disappear and make way for him. He was there for the support in case I passed it.”
Sharks coach Craig Fitzgibbon said even he thought the try was good.
“We got a try taken off us a few weeks ago against the Titans where the same thing happened. I didn’t think he was obstructed, either, but the guy was in front of the player with the ball.
“If he’s in front of the player with the ball then that’s the rule … I can see why that would be a talking point for sure, but we got one against this a few weeks ago.”
To compound the issue, the Sharks then scored in the next passage of play.
The Sharks picked up a repeat set, before Ben Hampton fumbled a grubber and presented Teig Wilton with the easiest try he’ll score in his career.
It was a 12-point turnaround which the Cowboys couldn’t recover from.
A 70-metre effort in the 69th minute from Sione Katoa ended the Cowboys’ hopes.
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