'Wasting my life': NRL bunker under fire already
The regular season hasn't even started yet but the much-maligned NRL bunker is already coming under fire after its performance in the All-Stars game.
The bunker was called into action twice during the Indigenous All-Stars' victory over the World All-Stars on Friday night, and both decisions caused controversy.
During the first half an Ash Taylor try was sent upstairs to check whether the Indigenous side had forced a turnover with an illegal strip.
The bunker then turned its attention to whether Johnathan Thurston picked the ball up in an offside position, taking an age to deliberate, much to the frustration of commentators.
"Come on let's get on with it, show the good part," said Phil Gould.
"It's a try! Don't you dare take this try off them, it's brilliant," he added.
Then in the second half the bunker awarded World All-Stars winger David Mead a contentious try when it appeared he grounded the ball short of the line.
The Bunker ruled that the on-field call of try should stand because of insufficient evidence to overturn it.
Fans watching at home flocked to social media with their thoughts, and most of it was negative.
Bunker have already gotten a decision wrong and the season hasn't even started... #stitchup #NRLAllStars
— Dan Cobby (@dan_cobby) February 10, 2017
And we 'officially' have our 1st Bunker screw-up of the year...👏#noFREAKINidea #NRLAllStars
— JD (@JDSloane) February 10, 2017
The Bunker is wasting my life. #NRLAllStars
— Heather (@heather_c3) February 10, 2017
Yayyyy!!!! The bunker has already got it wrong in 2017!!! Gunna be a long season with this! #NRLAllStars
— Marc Radzki (@radki17) February 10, 2017
Phenomenal decision bunker. Clear no try awarded a try. Good to know you're back... #NRLAllStars
— Dylan (@vegan_batman) February 10, 2017
Here's a thought: stop going to the Bunker and make the touch judge do his job. #NRLAllStars
— Chloe Schibeci (@schibecbec) February 10, 2017
Why would you need to go to the bunker for that? These refs are paid to make a decision! Debacle #NRLAllStars
— Wenin Rome (@Wenin_Rome) February 10, 2017
Seriously... are all tries required to be checked by the bunker this season? #NRLAllStars
— Tom Barwick (@TomBarwick91) February 10, 2017
The NRL recently responded to criticism of its bunker by reducing the scope of the decision review system's power.
The bunker will no longer be used to determine knock-ons in general play or be called upon for 40-20 calls in 2017.
It will only rule on point-scoring plays, in-goal restarts and reportable foul play.
NRL officiating boss Tony Archer said the bunker was hampered by confusion of jurisdiction in its inaugural season last year.
"From goal line to goal line, we expect the on-field officials to make the call. This makes it much clearer," Archer told reporters on Tuesday.
"Double knock-ons ... led to some confusion among fans, players and coaches, so we wanted to have a clear line for that.
"40-20, it is difficult with some to use the camera angles and the technology we have. Referees on field are in the best position."
with AAP