Graham Annesley has conceded a controversial obstruction call that cost Roosters star Joey Manu a fair try against the Panthers was wrong.
The NRL head of football has wasted no time conceding that video referee Chris Butler failed to use the necessary level of discretion in incorrectly deeming that Panthers fullback Dylan Edwards was obstructed from defending the no-try due to a collision with Roosters decoy runner Jared Waerea-Hargreaves.
The alleged obstruction from Waerea-Hargreaves on Edwards occurred 20-metres away from where Manu grounded the football.
The no-try call happened in the 22nd minute with the Roosters trailing 12-0 nil.
Instead of waiting until Tuesday’s media briefing to respond to the howler, Annesley stepped forward on Friday morning.
Annesley moved to differentiate the call between last weekend’s polarising decision to pull back a Manly try due to Jake Trbojevic running an obstruction against Parramatta’s Luca Moretti.
“Last week I supported two obstruction rulings by the Bunker,’’ Annesley said.
“I talked about the need for the lead runner to continue through the defensive line, and for the play not to be turned back through the gap created by a collision with a defender.
“Neither of these factors were present in last night’s decision (for the Manu no-try).
“In the circumstances, the Bunker does have discretion to consider whether a defender could have prevented the try.
“In my opinion, the try would have been scored regardless and the on-field decision should not have been overturned”.
The Daily Telegraph understands Annesley was comfortable with Butler’s decision to award Sunia Turuva a try for the Panthers even though Liam Martin ran through as the lead runner and interfered with Sitili Tupouniua and Luke Keary as they came across in cover defence.
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How many calls go Penriths way? It's dead set embarrassing and blatant favoritism. Whether it's 50/50 calls like this or their players not getting suspended
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