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'That's a joke': Bizarre rule costs Raiders after freak trainer incident

Riley Morgan
·Sports Reporter

The Raiders would feel hard done by in the opening minutes of the NRL Grand Final against the Roosters after an obscure rule cost them.

The Roosters half Luke Keary was putting in an attacking kick when it was charged down by Sia Soliola.

The ball hit Soliola’s head and incredibly ricocheted into the Roosters’ trainer’s head 10 metres away.

Luke Keary kicking the ball which cannoned off a Raiders forward's head.
A bizarre rule emerged after a Luke Keary kick cannoned off a Raiders forward and into a trainer. (Image: Twitter)

If the ball hadn’t hit the trainer, Raiders second-rower Elliot Whitehead was the clear favourite to chase the ball down and potentially score a runaway try as he was the only one to react.

“What’s the ruling,” Andrew Johns said in commentary.

Sam Verrills of the Roosters scores a try during the 2019 NRL Grand Final match between the Canberra Raiders and the Sydney Roosters at ANZ Stadium on October 06, 2019 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)
Sam Verrills of the Roosters scores a try during the 2019 NRL Grand Final match between the Canberra Raiders and the Sydney Roosters at ANZ Stadium on October 06, 2019 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)

But the obscure rule awarded a scrum to the Roosters, despite their trainer inadvertently interfering in play.

Fans on social media couldn’t believe the bizarre call and questioned why a trainer was on the field after just three minutes.

The Roosters were able to take advantage of the territory and snatch a try.