'Absolutely robbed': Anger after 'disgraceful' referee blunder mars NRL grand final
Raiders fans are absolutely fuming after the referee signalled six-tackles again right in front of the Roosters line only to change his mind, which ultimately cost the Green Machine.
With the NRL Grand Final locked at 8-8 Jack Wighton ended up with the ball in the 71st minute after the Roosters appeared to put down a bomb on their own line.
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Wighton watched as the referee signalled six-again, prompting the half to take a hit-up and settle the attack.
But in extraordinary scenes, the referee called for a handover.
We all saw it. Congrats to the Roosters, but this was a tough couple minutes for the Raiders. Unfortunate it happened with 10 mins left in the GF. Raiders will be after redemption in 2020 #NRLGrandFinal #NRLGF https://t.co/KiPUK4eNLJ
— Chris Pycroft (@chrispytweets) October 6, 2019
This prompted a furious reaction from some of the Raiders players and the commentators to point out the referee had made the signal.
Unfortunately for the Raiders, the Roosters went 90m and James Tedesco scored off the next set.
It turned out to be the match-winning try.
Fans on social media were left absolutely livid.
Gotta feel for the Raiders. Two clangers - one a reffing error and one a dumb rule - both gave the Roosters their tries #NRLGF
— Matt Beard (@matthewtbeard) October 6, 2019
What the hell did I just witness? The ref waves six again for the raiders, then the other one goes hmm na? Then the roosters score? What? #NRLGF
— Kelly Pinkerton (@kelliotpinky) October 6, 2019
What a joke. Ref waves 6 again, Raiders play to it and then get it taken off them. Roosters score. Absolutely disgraceful #NRLGF #NRLGrandFinal #nrlroostersraiders
— Gareth Olver (@GBO26) October 6, 2019
They 100% waved 6 to go, then change their mind. And of course the Roosters go down to score 30s later. The refs are going to face some VERY unhappy Raiders fans tonight.
— Matty McRath (@McRathDT) October 6, 2019
The Raiders have been absolutely robbed!!! The refs called 6 again!! Then the next set Roosters score. MASSIVE case for the @NRL to answer for if it costs the Premiership!! Grand Final ruined by a referee blunder! #NRLGF
— Richard (@rpenners1) October 6, 2019
It followed an earlier controversy in which the Roosters got the ball back after a kick ricocheted off Sia Soliola and then the Roosters’ own trainer.
The Roosters won the Grand Final 14-8.