Sydney Roosters halfback Sam Walker has urged the NRL to address the obstruction rule, saying inconsistencies are leaving players and fans frustrated.
The Roosters were last weekend the victims of the most controversial obstruction decision, when Joey Manu was denied a try by the bunker against Penrith.
The NRL later admitted fault, with head of football Graham Annesley conceding Penrith fullback Dylan Edwards would never have reached Manu to deny the try.
But Walker is adamant that was not the only decision to leave him miffed, claiming there had been up to five in the opening four rounds he was left confused by.
“I’ve seen five this year that they’ve called the weirdest obstructions,” he said.
“But then other times they’ll be ‘oh, he might have got there’ or ‘he might not have got there; we don’t think he’s going to get there’.
(Photo by Matt King/Getty Images)
“There’s not a great deal of consistency with it all. I know as a player that it’s frustrating.
“But for fans … to sit there with fingers crossed not knowing what’s going to happen, that would be quite frustrating.
“The sooner we come to a decision about it all and get it out of the way (will be great) because no one wants to be talking about obstruction rules.”
Officials at the NRL are adamant there is no need for confusion around the rule, and that the laws and interpretations on lead runners have not changed for this season.
Several high-profile calls have revolved around decoy runners stopping in the defensive line, with Manly’s no-try against Parramatta in round three the most obvious example.
But the NRL insists that rule has been the case for nearly a decade, and that the indicators for determining obstructions are still the same.
Head office is also confident the right level of discretion is available to referees in determining if obstructed defenders would have been involved in the play.
It comes after Ivan Cleary, himself a former referees consultant, and Wayne Bennett this weekend both warned against rules becoming too black-and-white on the matter.
Roosters hooker Brandon Smith on Monday also backed the NRL’s decision to come out and admit fault over the weekend, saying it did not leave a sour taste in his mouth.
“I guess it’d be frustrating for a few people, but I feel like it’s good ownership from the NRL to come out and say ‘we stuffed up’,” Smith said.
“If they’re acknowledging that they’re making mistakes – and as long as we can learn from them – then it’s sweet.
“(It seems like) they’re trying to eliminate black-and-white in the competition with their rulings, and that was one of them.
“I thought it was a pretty sketchy one. I didn’t know the obstruction was on Jared (Waerea-Hargreaves) until the end of the game, so that was pretty weird.”
Lomax deal delay frustrates Arthur
Eels coach Brad Arthur would love to have Zac Lomax boosting his outside backs but the Dragons are playing hardball with their disgruntled star.
St George Illawarra coach Shane Flanagan said on Triple M on Sunday that he wouldn’t be surprised if Lomax again asked for a release from the final two years of his contract this week.
The Eels have expressed interest in Lomax’s services and have the salary cap room to take him on straight away but the Dragons want a player in return.
They would love to get their hands on rookie centre Blaize Talagi but the Eels will not part ways with the young prospect who scored a try on debut last week and will play five-eighth on Monday against the Wests Tigers.
Arthur said on Sunday that the club had tried to go through the proper channels to snare Lomax but had run into a dead end.
“The club went through the front door, we had conversations with the Dragons and it’s at a standstill,” he said on Sunday.
Dragons keen to snare Sunia
Off-contract flyer Sunia Turuva admits it would be incredibly hard to leave Penrith, saying his priority is to stay with the three-time premiers as talks begin with rivals.
Turuva is one of nine Panthers who will be off contract at the end of this year, as the club continue their never-ending battle with retaining talent under the salary cap.
In the past fortnight, Penrith have re-signed centres Taylan May and Izack Tago on bigger-money deals, leaving Turuva in a precarious position.
A report this week claimed Turuva’s management were hopeful of earning far more than the $350,000 offered by Penrith to keep the 2023 Dally M rookie of the year.
St George Illawarra have entered the race for Turuva’s signature as they will have plenty of money to spare even if they retain Zac Lomax beyond this season which is looking very unlikely.
(Photo by Matt King/Getty Images)
The Panthers have long taken a position of being a club that will not budge on offers, given the delicate position of their cap and the upgrades required each year.
The exits of Apisai Koroisau, Stephen Crichton and Viliame Kikau, and the impending departure of Jarome Luai are testament to that approach.
But fresh off scoring a hat-trick in Thursday night’s 22-16 win over the Sydney Roosters, Turuva said it had dawned on him he did not want to leave the club.
“Straight after the game, that hit me,” Turuva said.
“I want to be part of this team. It’s a special group we’ve got here. No matter who steps into the jersey.
“I just want to be part of this club.
“I’ve left it to my manager and Penrith to organise all that stuff. But I’ve said it before – Penrith’s home. This is where I want to be.”
Turuva has made no secret of wanting to help buy his father a house with his next deal, after the family’s long-time home burned down in 2020.
But the Fiji international also remains grateful for the way the Panthers have treated him.
The sudden death of the player’s mother in September 2021 was another huge blow, with Penrith dedicating wins to the family during that year’s premiership run.
“That’s exactly why I re-signed back in 2022,” Turuva said.
“They were there with me through all the tough times.
“I don’t forget that stuff. I don’t take that stuff for granted.”
A fullback through the junior grades until just before his NRL debut, Turuva could potentially net more money from rivals as a No.1.
But the 21-year-old said he was happy to wait on the wing at Penrith.
“When you got people like (Dylan Edwards at fullback), and Daine Laurie behind him, as well as guys in NSW Cup – they are just killing it,” Turuva said.
“I’ll stay on the wing as long as I have to, I’m loving it.”
with AAP
DP Schaefer
Roar Rookie
My nan would sort 'em out quick smart...
Bernie
Roar Rookie
maybe we should ask your nan, cause delete "lomax" and insert "hunt" and a lot of this is very last year. it's deja vu all over again.
Bernie
Roar Rookie
judging by the Tiges yesterday & with Luai coming, Bud has nada chance of playing first grade.
Tim Carter
Roar Pro
Lomax is playing well, but the Dragons are still not in the finals mix (in my mind, anyway). I'd rather his minutes go to someone who will be there next year. Still, if the Dragons think they can get to September, you're right that they need what he's currently offering. Regarding the 'use it or lose it' nature of the cap, I don't know the answer to that. It at least gives them even more room to move if there's a big name at another club who is similarly dissatisfied with their situation. If-purely as an example-Crichton wanted out of his Bulldogs deal, you wouldn't want to have your attempt to make the best pitch possible compromised by having big money tied up with a player who doesn't want to be at the club and surely won't be after this season.
KenW
Roar Rookie
He's not dead money right now though. He's 4th in the comp for run metres, 2nd for post-contact, 10th for tackle breaks. He's scored 3 tries in 4 games and missed a few more that he might get next time. He's earning his money better now than he ever has before. Besides, I was of the understanding that unused salary cap money can't be used elsewhere? If they don't have someone else to spend it on then they don't get the full grant. Or do I have that wrong?
Tim Carter
Roar Pro
Lomax is dead money as things stand. Not paying for his full, bloated contract, even if they don't find a big name replacement, at least saves the club money.
KenW
Roar Rookie
They have no reason to chip in anything, or even to let him go without getting something in return. They have cap space now, they have no use for it. More free cap space is just more dead money.
KenW
Roar Rookie
It's the money, that's it. He's on good coin for a centre and in the off-season was being considered for a move to fullback. On the commercial side that would have been a bunch of excited meetings with his manager about this perfectly timed 'upgrade' with negotiations due at the end of this year. His management could start talking about a 20-30% upgrade on his deal. Except suddenly he's not only not getting that upgrade but he's been shunted from centre to wing, and on the commercial side that's a 20-30% downgrade. Manager starts talking about getting him out of his contract and into somewhere else that will give him the 'respect' (oh and the dollars). And it flows from there. Interesting to see what happens if the Dragons stay the course (they have no reason not to) and, with JAC struggling to stay on the field so far this year, he actually finds himself playing Origin on the wing in a couple of months. The Dragons do have the money to pay him as much as anyone else if they think he's worth it.
DP Schaefer
Roar Rookie
But if they let Lomax off, less argument to keep Hunt.
DP Schaefer
Roar Rookie
Yep, that Bird to centres is weird, however, all reports I hear so far is that he's playing above his previous standard. I would not have done it, dunno about nan, but...
DP Schaefer
Roar Rookie
Has to be something there, the previous coach dropped him and he didn't spit dummies like this. Flanno won't let him coast and earn his $800K being not his best.
Redcap
Roar Guru
Dunno, picking Bird in the centres is a bit like starting a tractor in a formula one race for mine. Hunt, Lomax, Sloan, Et Al will all be gone soon. Sullivan's in reserve grade at the Tigers. It's a big rebuild and still very early days.
andrew
Roar Rookie
Flanagan's a smart operator. He realised that to get Lomax stopping throwing those no look flick passes he put him on the wing.
Tim Carter
Roar Pro
I just don't think Lomax is worth keeping, given his output versus his salary. While he may be agitating for the release, imo his leaving would actually be more advantageous to the Dragons. They should make sure it happens.
James 7
Roar Rookie
David There were a number of players asking for a release last year and under Griffin I can't blame them. Ben Hunt as everyone knows wanted out. He seems to be happier with the way saints are travelling. Tyrell Sloan wanted out along with Jayden Sullivan. Sloan now has 6 tries to his name. Griffin dropped Lomax last year .. dented his ego. I prefer Jack Bird playing centre than Lomax. Let him go at the end of the year. No problems. What is it wilh league contracts that the players and managers think they can tear them up at a drop of a hat. Good on Flannigan for holding firm.
danwain
Roar Rookie
They won't chip in anything, he is trying to get rid of them not the other way around
Bernie
Roar Rookie
but why should they chip in anything? why should it cost the club to be rid of a player, because he wants to leave? as long as he's playing well and not destabilising the playing group. unless of course, as David pointed out above, Saints will likely hold out till end-of-season to let him go and if gets the sulks and form drops, ends up in reggies - that could be another scenario. i'm surprised Souths aren't interested, they could really use some outside backs.
Tony
Roar Guru
Maybe, but my guess is they'll hold out for a clean swap
danwain
Roar Rookie
I think it begins and ends at the club he is currently at, that's the story, end of story
Tim Carter
Roar Pro
Surely they'd chip in up to 150-200k to get Lomax off the books. He's playing well but, given that the Dragons are in a rebuilding mode, what's the point of him being there? Hunt is different because he provides leadership, plays in a position with few players of his standard able to fill the gap, and wins his side games on multiple occasions. Lomax, on the other hand, is a poor man's Matt Gidley.