Coach Ricky Stuart blasts officials, says he has never been so confused after Canberra loss
Sebastian Tan
Raiders coach Ricky Stuart has slammed the NRL’s officiating, saying he has never been more confused about the rules after controversial calls marred the Dolphins’ 30-22 victory over Canberra.
In a heated two-minute press conference in which Stuart did not answer any questions, the coach took aim at the umpires and the dugout after a series of 50/50 calls went the visitors’ way at GIO Stadium on Thursday night.
Most importantly, a penalty was awarded by Todd Smith during a second-half call from Joe Tapine and Morgan Smithies made a great tackle on Ray Stone, with the referee saying Smithies had made “unnecessary contact” with his elbow.
Canberra fans doubled down and started booing the referees as they left the field after the final whistle after Jamayne Isaako scored a crucial penalty goal.
“There are interpretations and rules of the game and we are now in a position where we can pick and choose when applying them and that is very frustrating for those involved,” Stuart said.
“In all my years of being involved in football as a coach, I’ve never been this confused. It’s disappointing to say the least, but I’m very confused right now.”
“You can’t have a rule and enforce it one week and not enforce it the next…it’s disappointing because I love the game.”
But it wasn’t just the contested calls that made the difference on the night; Canberra’s poor discipline, particularly two tackles by winger Savelio Tamale, led to two costly Dolphins tries in the first half.
The guest team’s coach, Kristian Woolf, stated that he was pleased with his team’s solid stance, praising their team’s tough defense and mentality as they won their fourth consecutive victory for the first time in the club’s history.
“It’s always a 50/50 call. There are always things that you think are going against you,” he said.
“There were a few players in the second half who I thought probably went our way and made a bit of a difference, but that goes for every game.
“That doesn’t stop you from scoring goals… I’m happy we won.”
The brave victory came as the Dolphins were without Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow, Selwyn Cobbo, Thomas Flegler and Max Plath due to State of Origin duties; Star center Herbie Farnworth (hamstring strain) and eighth-place Kodi Nikorima (hamstring) were also missing.
The Raiders scored first through Jed Stuart, but Tamale brought down Isaiya Katoa’s thunderous strike and the visitors considered Tevita Naufahu, who replaced Cobbo.
Canberra responded when Ethan Sanders kicked and the ball took an awkward bounce before hitting the crossbar into the hands of Corey Horsburgh for the try.
However, the guest team scored the next three points with Morgan Knowles, Isaako and Stone, and Tamale reduced the gap to 22-16 at halftime.
Following Isaako’s penalty goal, Zac Hosking pounced on Laurie’s ball in the 65th minute before Schneider powered past Canberra’s tired defense to seal victory.
AAP
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