The Wests Tigers have officially lodged a complaint to the NRL over the handling of the club’s shambolic loss to the Cowboys on Sunday.
Tigers chief executive Justin Pascoe and chairman Lee Hagipantelis were both at the match, and are “demanding” an explanation from the NRL.
“We believe the officials got it wrong, plain and simple,” Pascoe said. “That decision has cost us victory and we want answers.”
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“I’m not here to bash officials, I know they are doing their best, but the Bunker is there to avoid howlers.
“I have spoken to a number of very experienced players, former players, media commentators, and our own coaching staff, and everyone agrees it was the wrong call.”
The decision soured the ending of what had to that point been the game of the round.
The Cowboys scored in the first minute, but tries to Brent Naden, Fa’amanu Brown and Asu Kepaoa saw the Tigers take a 16-6 lead into the half time.
A Tigers penalty goal extended the lead to 12, before two tries in in six minutes saw the Cowboys draw level in the 53rd minute.
A converted 67th minute Jeremiah Nanai try saw the home side took the lead, before Val Holmes slotted a field goal in the 73rd minute to extend the lead to seven
Brent Naden scored his second of the afternoon off the kickoff following the field goal, but Doueihi missed the kick and the lead was just three.
With under two minutes to go, the Tigers scored again through Starford To’a to take the lead by a point. But after winding the clock right down, Doueihi missed again.
With one second on the clock, the Cowboys attempted a short kickoff, but the kick was too deep and the Tigers took possession and went to ground.
Many are arguing the game should’ve ended right there, but the Cowboys challenged an escort on Kyle Feldt, and the Bunker controversially awarded a penalty, which allowed Val Holmes to kick an after-the-siren goal to seal the match.
“Our players worked their backsides off all night to celebrate (captain James Tamao’s) 300th game, and they are to be applauded for their efforts,” Pascoe said.
“I know officials also work hard to get it right, but this in our opinion was just so wrong.”
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