Dolphins enforcer Daniel Saifiti has awarded a bizarre try that left him “surprised” as a wave of boos rang out around GIO Stadium from the Raiders’ faithful.
Steaming on to a short ball from stand-in hooker Sean O’Sullivan, the prop juggled the ball before regathering and grounding it over the try line to take a 18-4 lead.
Referee Ashley Klein sent the effort up as a no try, convinced the ball touched a Raiders defender’s hand as they attempted to make a tackle.
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However, the Bunker believed otherwise, claiming Tom Starling had avoided making contact with the ball
“On this camera angle it looks as if Tom Starling’s hand is underneath and the ball misses it,” review official Adam Gee said.
“The ball pops up and over Tom Starling’s hand and goes back into the possession of Daniel Saifiti, playing on.”
Saifiti immediately began giggling with his teammates after the try was confirmed, with Canberra fans making their stance on the call known.
“The angle from behind suggested it didn’t (make contract) but the first angle gave us an indication perhaps it did,” Fox League’s Warren Smith said.
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“He’s even surprised, I’m sure he was expecting that to come up red lights.”
For rugby league legend Steve Roach, the four-pointer was simply an impressive show of skill from Saifiti.
“He did well to control the ball after it bobbled out, got a little bit fortunate there for it not to touch a Raiders player,” Steve Roach said.
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