NRL referees boss Tony Archer has admitted that Manly fullback Brett Stewart came from an offside position in his match-deciding try that ended Canberra’s season on Sunday.
The Raiders were leading 24-20 when Stewart finished off a Daly Cherry-Evans line break in the 77th minute to steal a thrilling win and keep their finals hopes alive.
Replays have since shown that the Sea Eagles star came from an offside position, having run through the defensive line on the prior tackle.
The rules state that for an attacking player to be onside when he is in front of the play the ball, he must retire or retreat behind his player involved in the play the ball.
And while Stewart was walking back into the attacking line, Archer said he hadn’t come back far enough.
“After viewing footage of the play, including eagle cam, Brett Stewart retreated to the ruck area, between the marker and the point where Jorge Taufua played the ball,” Archer told AAP.
“It was a judgment call made live by the officials and it was a close decision, particularly with Jorge Taufua walking forward in front of Stewart.
“However technically Stewart does not retreat the required distance.”
The admission will be of little consolation to Canberra coach Ricky Stuart and his side, who have now fallen four points adrift of 8th-placed St George Illawarra with just three games to go in the season.
But for the Sea Eagles, the win lifts them to 24 points, equal with the Dragons, but they sit one spot behind due to an inferior points differential.
Manly host struggling Parramatta at Brookvale Oval this Sunday.
john neeson
Guest
see above
Casper
Guest
How come it's always Manly finishing on the positive side of these refereeing errors?
john neeson
Guest
I'm starting to sense a bit of Karma for 2013
theman
Guest
Stewarts start point for the try had next to no bearing on the result, anyone who knows BS knows he would still get to the same spot to score the try anyway, like it says, its merely a technicality. Anyway the raiders cant complain when their first try was off a forward pass and the penalty on half time gifting them 2 points was ridiculous. Then furthermore Stewart was taken out near the sideline by Lee for Canberra to score another try. when will Ricky learn he brings this all on himself with his bad attitude towards refs and the rules. All he expects to get is bad calls, so that is all he ever will get.....
Jacksyd
Guest
You obviously didn't listen to the commentary after that which confirmed from the side on vision the pass was fine. Move on.
Doc79
Roar Rookie
Hey archer, as a raiders tragic, do the cows deserve a response to isaac luke's clearly (not nearly) forward pass for the clark try on thurs night also??
TheSmak
Guest
I wonder if toovey will demand an investigation