'Why don't you ref fairly': NRL to investigate Bulldogs trainer slur
The NRL will investigate comments allegedly made by a Bulldogs trainer to a referee at half-time of the Canterbury’s 36-22 win over the Broncos on Thursday night.
The Bulldogs trainer was apparently furious with the referee after a number of 50/50 calls went against Canterbury in the first half against the Broncos, including a disallowed quick tap which could have been a try for the club.
Nine expert Darren Lockyer revealed the trainer said “why don’t you ref fairly” to one ref, most likely Ben Cummins, a comment that questions the integrity of the referees.
“The trainers weren’t too happy with the way the referee was going, one of the (Bulldogs) trainers came to the referee and said ‘why don’t you ref fairly?'” Lockyer said.
“The NRL has said there will be a report.”
The Bulldogs trainer may face a fine if the NRL considers the issue serious enough.
Unsurprisingly, there was plenty of support for the trainer’s comments on social media, as people spoke out to vent their frustrations.
NRL coaches have consistently been fined at least $10,000 for questioning the integrity of referees across recent seasons.
Aside from that, the trainer didn’t have too much to worry about in the second half, with the Dogs racing away to a healthy lead towards the back end of the match before closing out an incredibly impressive victory over the top-eight bound Broncos.
Dogs deliver huge top four blow to the Broncos
Canterbury have put a massive dent in Brisbane’s top-four hopes, shocking the finals-bound Broncos 36-22 at ANZ Stadium.
After they leapt to a 14-0 lead early, the Bulldogs withstood a late Brisbane fightback in the first half before scoring three tries in seven minutes to wrap it up after the break in front of just 6,434 fans.
It completed their first back-to-back wins of the year and put them one step further away from the wooden spoon.
And it also left Brisbane vulnerable with the possibility they could be two wins outside the top four at the end of the round.
The match wasn’t free of controversy, with the NRL confirming they will investigate alleged comments made by a Bulldogs trainer to a referee at halftime.
Regardless, halves Lachlan Lewis and Matt Frawley were tremendous for Canterbury as they put on their equal-highest score of the season.
In his sixth game, Lewis had two try-assists – including a pinpoint perfect kick for Josh Morris in the second half – forced two line dropouts and made a point of shutting down the far bigger Tevita Pangai in defence.
Frawley was a late call-up on game day after regular No.7 Jeremy Marshall-King was ruled out with tonsillitis.
The stand-in halfback crossed once out of dummy-half and broke through four tackles in his first game since being dropped after round 15.
Winger Reimis Smith also made two linebreaks leading to tries for teammates Brett Morris and Will Hopoate.
In comparison, the Broncos were all at sea with the exception of a 10-minute period before halftime when bench prop Korbin Sims was marginally denied a hat-trick.
They gifted the Bulldogs one try when Corey Oates jumped to bat a short line dropout back before Michael Lichaa scooped it up and put Josh Jackson over.
Anthony Milford’s kicking game also lagged in the second half before he and Jamayne Isaako crossed for late consolation tries.
Sims had earlier given them a rare reason to smile, twice barging over for tries at first receiver before being pulled up for a double movement that could’ve given Brisbane the lead just before the break.
The loss leaves Brisbane seventh and at risk of missing out on a home elimination finals, given they still have to play South Sydney and the Sydney Roosters with a negative for-and-against.
With AAP