Bennett Calls for NRL to Ditch the Bunker After Controversial Call
Outgoing Dolphins coach Wayne Bennett has called for the NRL to, get rid of the Bunker following a controversial call that cost his side a try in Sundays loss to the Newcastle Knights.
Bennett’s Scathing Attack on NRL Officials and Bunker
The loss eliminated the Dolphins from the top eight race and following the game, Bennett launched a scathing attack on the NRL’s officials and the Bunker stemming from an obstruction that he believed was wrongly ruled against his team.
Controversial Obstruction Call Denies Dolphins Key Try
At 0-0 in the 23rd minute, the Dolphins looked to have scored a try when they created a three on two overlap down the left edge with fullback Trai Fuller slicing through the line.
However, the try was taken off after an obstruction was found in the lead up, with lead runner Connelly Lemuelu coming into contact of the outside shoulder of a Knights defender.
Bennett Claims Defender Initiated Contact, Calls Out Bunker’s Decision
Bennett said that the defender initiated contact with Lemuelu’s shoulder rather than the other way around.
The 3 defender committed to our player, who ran the inside shoulder which he’s supposed to do and the 4 defender ran into him and they (Bunker) said we obstructed the 4 defender.
If that’s the case, then there will be no more of those tries scored because they’ll run straight into the (lead runner) deliberately because they know they’ll get a penalty.
He ran the inside shoulder line, which is the player he is supposed to run on and that player committed to him, you can see all that. But as he’s committing to him, the 4 defender also runs into him and that’s where they reckon the obstruction occurred. It’s just crazy.
NRL Legend Laurie Daley Supports Bennett’s View on Controversial Call
NRL legend Laurie Daley arguing it’s “a try every day of the week.”
Daley conceded that, the Bunker, with the guidelines that they have, why they wouldn’t have given it.
Now Laurie has played on or two games, and knows far more than I do about the game, so why does the NRL not place someone like him, who has played the game at a top level in the Bunker, instead of the losers they have now, who have never played the game at a top level.
Human Error is Undermining the System
The bottom line is that humans run it and that what fails the system.
I think the system is workable, but NOT the people in charge of making the decision. There has been many instances this year where the Bunker gets the decision so wrong.
A Consistent Three-Man Panel Could Be the Solution
I think having a 3 man panel who are the same people for all games, with one at least an ex player, would help fix this situation, instead of the merry go round of different people every game. I can think of several referee’s in the bunker who are hopeless as a bunker official and as a referee in general.
Inconsistent Tackle Area Decisions Cause Confusion
Another is the tackle area. Some weeks the player gets charged with a Grade 2 charge, but in the next game, the very same tackle is a Grade 1.
Some a penalty, some not, some a sin bin ,some not.
NRL’s Excuses and Fan Frustration
I know the NRL will come out and say the get the decisions right, of course they will. It’s similar to a restaurant getting a poor review. They offer excuses. Everyone else is wrong, we are right. Well you keep your head buried deep in that sandpit, while we the viewers turn our televisions off.
Similar Issues in Rugby Union
BUT, this poor decisions by the bunker is just as bad in Rugby Union.
I watched the All Blacks playing South Africa over the weekend, AND,
The evidence was dripping out of All Blacks midfielder’s Jordie Barrett’s nose, but referee Matthew Carley refused to launch an investigation.
Referee’s Refusal to Review Controversial High Shot Draws Criticism
Pleas from the All Blacks to review a gang tackle on Barrett, who received a painful blow to the nose as he ran into Springboks substitute forwards Kwagga Smith and Elrigh Louw in 72nd minute of the 2nd Test in Cape Town, were given the cold shoulder by Carley.
Referee Carley Rejects Requests from All Blacks Captain and Medic
The ref didn’t want to rely on any members of the All Blacks, or their support staff, as eye witnesses.
Move along, nothing to see here. No case file was opened.
All Blacks captain Scott Barrett pleaded with Carley to review the high shot.
So, too, did All Blacks strength and conditioning coach Nic Gill, who was wearing a medic bib, and assisted team doctor Martin Swan cleaning the blood from Jordie Barrett’s face.
Questions Raised Over TMO’s Oversight in Obvious High Shot Incident
Gill pointed to the area where Barrett has previously been left sprawled on the deck, and asked Carley: “You can go back and look …?”
“Not off your referral. You’re a medic. Thank you,” Carley responded, before asking Barrett if he was okay to keep playing.
Well the guys a medic and he treating a player for a high shot, so why, now play has stopped, would you NOT ask the TMO to take a look.
Inconsistent Decision-Making Raises Doubts in Rugby Union
The officials tell us they are trying to get head shots out of the game, and then they allow this to continue. Why have technology if you do not use it, and use it by people who understand the game?.
The TMO seems to be able to find the smallest knock on from many phases back, but can not see the obvious.
Technology Fails to Catch Clear Mistakes in First Test
In the first test the Africans were awarded a try, BUT ,on my television, the player was short of the line, plus dropped the ball while trying to score.
This is top level Rugby Union, not under 12’s, and with all the technology available, the officials don’t take a look at this. I did not need a replay, it was SO OBVIOUS.
Calls for Reform as Poor Decisions Continue in the Bunker
Maybe I need a new TV!! And I know how to get it . Become a Bunker official or a TMO.
These guys must be getting kick backs from the bigger clubs. Otherwise how do you explain these multiple poor decisions. PERKS BOYS,PERKS.
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