NRL referees boss Tony Archer has backed a controversial try ruling that may lead to Gold Coast coach Neil Henry landing in hot water.
Henry was clearly unimpressed with the video referees awarding South Sydney captain Greg Inglis a crucial try in the Titans’ 22-16 NRL loss on Saturday, voicing his disappointment post-match and again in a radio interview.
He was expected to come under scrutiny for the comments but an NRL spokesperson said on Monday night no decision had yet been made.
In the lead-up to Inglis’ try Gold Coast’s Lachlan Burr appeared to be impeded by Luke Keary, prompting the Titan to push the Rabbitohs playmaker out of the way.
A “no try” ruling was recommended on-field with Inglis appearing to run behind Keary before the decision was sent upstairs to video officials Jared Maxwell and Ben Galea.
But Archer said he had no problem with the video referees giving Inglis the green light.
Archer said replays showed Burr made contact with Keary before Inglis advanced, ensuring he did not run behind the Rabbitohs half.
“I am comfortable with the process that the video referee went through,” he told NRL HQ on the official NRL website.
“Obviously it started with a no try but there are certain indicators that support the decision of overturning it to a try.
“You see that Keary passes the ball first, the contact made my Burr is then to push him (Keary) in the back – at that point Inglis is still inside of him, hasn’t run behind him and he commits to the defensive player.
“The contact is made prior to Inglis running behind him (Keary).
“I understand the process that he followed.”
The controversial try prompted league great Peter Sterling on Sunday to renew calls for video referees to be stripped of the power to rule on obstructions.
The Barry
Roar Guru
Complete lucky dip when it goes upstairs
Dutski
Guest
Has the referees boss come out and said "we got it wrong" at all this year? I can't remember it if he has.
steveng
Roar Rookie
The touchies are there 'just for show', they are ineffective, blind and have no purpose in the game what so ever. They continually miss everything that they are supposed to be there for and a 'forward pass' is one of them, which they miss consistently and never ever pull the ref up for. The inconsistencies of the refereeing in the NRL is getting to a critical level and the sooner that the NRL referees boss Tony Archer starts looking and pulling up these inconsistencies the better it will be for the game and the fans.
Mike from Tari
Guest
He should have tackled Inglis instead of trying to get a penalty, end of story, sometimes players are too smart for their own good, hope they fine Henry $10,000, they should then donate it to a quiz show because the refs make so many errors the whole NRL is a lucky dip, I am damned if I know what the touchies do, they have been ineffective for years.
Arnold Krewanty
Guest
Coming from a Titans supporter, IMO if Burr left it a few seconds later, it would have been an obstruction. I was ok with it. I was more filthy with Burr failing to hold the ball with two hands as he dived over the try line.
The eye
Guest
He pushed him because he was shielding him..the scrum feed against the head decision was just as ludicrous,zero benefit was afforded the Cowboys for Laclan Coote sticking his head out early..refs shouldnt be picking and choosing when to be pedantic (ie few forwards play the ball with the heel despite constant onfield nagging by the refs..the rule says 'must')..it just confuses and frustrates..