Parramatta Eels winger Blaize Talagi has been denied what looked to be a certain try by the Bunker, with the decision potentially costing the Eels two crucial competition points.
With 20 minutes to go in the second half of the Eels’ clash against the Knights, the teenage flyer found clear air after a backline play and attempted to ground the ball.
Referee Peter Gough sent it up as a no-try, with the Bunker agreeing, denying the winger a first career hat-trick.
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It was a decision that left Fox League’s Greg Alexander in disbelief.
“As long as his body stays in I think that’s good,” Alexander said.
“He just keeps his arm on the ball, never release an arm, never comes away from it.”
Talagi’s body stayed in the field of play, and while the ball does roll up his arm the former Panthers great believes he remained in possession at all times.
“The ball is initially grounded short of the line. Blaize Talagi then rolls the ball toward the try line. This is a knock on,” Bunker official Wyatt Raymond ruled, before agreeing with the on-field decision of no try.
Alexander simply could not believe the call.
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“Oh no! That’s a try there!” Alexander said, after replays showing the young winger had the ball grounded right on the try line.
Fox League commentator Andrew Voss said Raymond delivered his ruling “like he was on the clock.”
Like the rest of the rugby league world, Parramatta halfback Mitchell Moses was in disbelief, even pleading the case for a try with referee Peter Gough, who wasn’t having a bar of it.
“He doesn’t want to argue because Mitch is probably making a lot of sense,” Alexander said.
At the point of the disallowed try, scores were locked at 16-16 all, though the Eels eventually lost 34-26 to the Knights, leaving them anchored to the bottom of the NRL ladder.
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