'Fun followed by deflation': Wests Tigers angry as NRL backs controversial call

The NRL had defended the call to allow North Queensland to challenge a last-minute game and kick their way to a controversial 27-26 win over the Wests Tigers.

Key points:

• Down by a point, the Cowboys call for a review with a second remaining, claiming winger Kyle Feldt is hampered
• After The Bunker awarded the home team a companion penalty, Valentine Holmes kicked North Queensland to victory
• Wests Tigers officials have called for a review of the decision

Down 26-25 with a second remaining and play restarted after a Tigers attempt, North Queensland claimed winger Kyle Feldt was hampered in his run after kick-off when referee Chris Butler blew his whistle after the siren.

Although no penalty has been awarded, Cowboys captain Chad Townsend may request that the play be reviewed.

Bunker then gave North Queensland a companion penalty, and Valentine Holmes kicked the Cowboys home.

Amid the controversy, Wests Tigers officials told the Sydney Morning Herald that they would consider legal options, having believed they were unfairly punished in their last loss in the game.

However, two hours after full time on Sunday, the NRL claimed the correct process had been followed.

“Although the referee has blown his whistle to stop play after the last tackle was completed as time was up, he has not called full time,” a spokesman said.

Valentine Holmes (right) celebrates after giving the Cowboys a 27-26 win in Townsville.(Getty: Ian Hitchcock)

The NRL also claims that while the escort penalty is not blown on the field, calls to stop play at the end of the game can be challenged by the Cowboys if they believe a foul has occurred.

“The whole concept of the captain’s challenge is to make sure any refereeing decisions that stop the game can be reviewed,” the spokesman said.

“Not doing so would effectively deny the team the right to correct the referee’s mistakes.”

The league said they would review on Monday whether the Bunker’s escort call was correct.

The incident ended a dramatic settlement for Holmes and the Cowboys, as the Queensland State star scored the Cowboys’ 27th point on his 27th birthday.

Prop Fonua Pole suffered the disappointment of the Wests Tigers’ 15th loss in 18 games this season.

North Queensland coach Todd Payten acknowledged it was “debatable” whether his team deserved to win, but said with some of the calls made to them this season they would have been happy to pick up two points.

“I guess what happened was going to happen, and we got one tonight,” he said.

The Tigers had led 18-6 just after the break, and were 25-18 behind with seven minutes to play when Holmes hit the ball after he and fellow Origin representative Jeremiah Nanai had both tried to score in the second half.

But four-pointers for Brent Naden and Starford To’a in the 74th and 78th minutes looked set to give the Tigers a first win since round 11 and an unforgettable 300th NRL game for James Tamou before the late drama.

Eventually Adam Doueihi’s three failed conversions also came back to haunt the Tigers, who dominated the contest with the Cowboys in far from best form.

“It was a moment of joy and then a moment of deflation,” said Tigers assistant coach Ben Gardiner, who replaced interim coach Brett Kimmorley, who is out with COVID-19.

“I’m not really sure why that decision was made. My understanding is that when The Bunker comes into the game, or when there’s a challenge made, it has to happen when there’s indiscretion in the game, or there’s a distraction to the game play.

“My understanding is we caught the ball, the game is over and that’s where it should end.”

AP

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