The Knights copped a rough decision when Raiders star Tom Starling was awarded a crucial try in their 44-18 win despite teammate Simi Sasagi standing in the defensive line.
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With the scores locked at 18-18 in the 47th minute, Starling slice through a gaping hole to score a try to give the Raiders the lead.
But replays showed Sasagi was standing in the defensive line and created space for Starling while impeding Phoenix Crossland from making a tackle.
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“Does Crossland get impeded here?” Steve Roach said on Fox League.
“Yeah unfortunately Sasagi just plants himself there,” Warren Smith added.
However, the Bunker ruled that the Knights defenders chose not to make an attempt at a tackle.
“We have broken play and the Knights defenders choose not to defend Tom Starling, so we are playing on,” the Bunker said.
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Knights coach Adam O’Brien had his say on the decision in his post-match press conference. Somewhat surprisingly, he said he agreed with the Bunker’s assessement.
“The way they explained it, I agree with them on everything they ruled. We needed to be better there,” he said.
“I’m not going to make excuses for our guys. Phoenix should have kept moving.”
However, O’Brien didn’t agree with an overturned decision made later in the half.
In the process of Matt Timoko scoring his second try to extend the lead to 26, Jack Cogger was seemingly obstructed which led to Timoko going through a gaping hole.
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The on field referee signalled no try, but it was overturned upstairs.
“It was innocuous, but it deflated us,” O’Brien said.
“I do completely disagree with the Bunker overturning the other [obstruction] try though. He clearly went to the outside shoulder.”
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However, Roach and Smith was gobsmacked by the call.
“Really?” Roach said.
“Crossland was denied the chance to make a tackle.”
“Oh boy,” Smith added.
Smith also noted that Xavier Savage was tackled after a Knights defender put his hand on him on the ground in the lead-up.
“If you are on the ground and stationary and the defender has a hand on you then you are tackled,” Smith said.
“The Bunker saw it differently. They said, play on and then to make it double jeopardy they say no obstruction by Sasagi there on Crossland.”
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