A couple of late and controversial calls in North Queensland's heart-stopping 26-21 loss to Manly at Gosford have infuriated club captain Johnathan Thurston and led coach Paul Green to demand an explanation.
Late in the match, with the Cowboys holding a 20-14 lead, Manly fullback Brett Stewart looked to pass the ball forward between his legs. When the Cowboys fumbled the loose ball, it was ruled six-again to Manly.
Manly then scored later in the set through stand-in halfback Kieran Foran despite Jamie Buhrer seeming to impede Cowboys interchange hooker Ray Thompson in the build-up, denying Thompson a chance to come through and challenge Foran.
The decision was sent upstairs with the on-field referee Gavin Badger indicating a try and the video referee did not overrule the call, prompting an explosive outburst from Thurston, who immediately went up to Badger to express his dismay and telling him "it's not good enough".
When Green entered the press conference he didn't even wait to be asked a question before sharing his thoughts on the outcome. While he made it clear he was disappointed his side couldn't close out the win after looking to have the match sealed twice, he made his thoughts on the officiating just as clear.
"That refereeing decision is absolutely bewildering, someone needs to explain to me what the rule is because in my opinion they must have changed the rule," Green said.
"If that is not an obstruction I will walk nude through Pitt St.
"I am absolutely bewildered how they can get it so wrong and this is not just our game, this is happening too regularly."
Green said the refereeing must improve.
"What's disappointing for the game is that decisions like that are deciding outcomes, that's not good enough. They owe us an explanation," he said.
He said there "wasn't a bloke in this ground that thought it was a try".
Manly coach Geoff Toovey said he didn't get a proper look at the replay and didn't want to comment either way on whether he thought the try should have been awarded, but conceded his side was lucky to get away with the win.
Late in the match, with the Cowboys holding a 20-14 lead, Manly fullback Brett Stewart looked to pass the ball forward between his legs. When the Cowboys fumbled the loose ball, it was ruled six-again to Manly.
Manly then scored later in the set through stand-in halfback Kieran Foran despite Jamie Buhrer seeming to impede Cowboys interchange hooker Ray Thompson in the build-up, denying Thompson a chance to come through and challenge Foran.
The decision was sent upstairs with the on-field referee Gavin Badger indicating a try and the video referee did not overrule the call, prompting an explosive outburst from Thurston, who immediately went up to Badger to express his dismay and telling him "it's not good enough".
When Green entered the press conference he didn't even wait to be asked a question before sharing his thoughts on the outcome. While he made it clear he was disappointed his side couldn't close out the win after looking to have the match sealed twice, he made his thoughts on the officiating just as clear.
"That refereeing decision is absolutely bewildering, someone needs to explain to me what the rule is because in my opinion they must have changed the rule," Green said.
"If that is not an obstruction I will walk nude through Pitt St.
"I am absolutely bewildered how they can get it so wrong and this is not just our game, this is happening too regularly."
Green said the refereeing must improve.
"What's disappointing for the game is that decisions like that are deciding outcomes, that's not good enough. They owe us an explanation," he said.
He said there "wasn't a bloke in this ground that thought it was a try".
Manly coach Geoff Toovey said he didn't get a proper look at the replay and didn't want to comment either way on whether he thought the try should have been awarded, but conceded his side was lucky to get away with the win.
