'You're joking': Pitch invader's wild moment sparks fan fury

A rogue rugby league fan has become a viral sensation after footage of his outrageous pitch invasion spread across social media.

The crazy scenes came during the Wests Tigers' dramatic 14-9 victory over the Rabbitohs at Bankwest Stadium on Thursday night.

Two supporters wearing Rabbitohs jerseys managed to get onto the pitch, with security staff managing to wrap up one of them comfortably.

However, the other fan took ground staff on a wild goose chase that ended badly for one unfortunate official.

The fan somehow slipped through the clutches of two of the security officials before racing across the halfway line towards the other end of the field.

Seeing another official standing in his path, the pitch invader threw himself feet first into the steward's legs, sending him somersaulting through the air.

The fan was then crash-tackled to the turf and escorted off the ground as viewers took aim at the stadium's perceived security issues.

The Fox Sports commentary team were also critical of the fact the man was allowed to run within ten metres of the players standing on the 20-metre line.

"He got way too far, way too far," Andrew Voss said.

"That could’ve been a worse outcome."

Co-commentator Braith Anasta sarcastically added: "Lucky we’ve got 1000 security guards here. I don’t know what they’re doing."

'Low act' overshadows thrilling Tigers win

The Rabbitohs’ loss to the Tigers was compounded by an apparent eye gouging incident involving George Burgess.

The Rabbitohs forward has been referred straight to the NRL judiciary for what NRL greats have described as “disgraceful” and a “low act”.

The match review committee on Friday morning charged the Rabbitohs prop with dangerous contact to the eye of Tigers veteran Robbie Farah on Thursday.

It is the second time in eight months Burgess has landed in hot water for an eye gouge, having been found guilty of the act while playing for England late last year.

The English star was suspended for four NRL games, resulting in a 50 per cent loading on whatever penalty he draws this time around.

Replays weren't conclusive he had dug his fingers into Farah's face at Bankwest Stadium, however the Tigers hooker remonstrated with referee Adam Gee.

South Sydney coach Wayne Bennett said while he didn't know whether Burgess was guilty of a gouge, he was disappointed contact was made with Farah's face.

"There was just no need to put himself in that position to start," Bennett said.

"I'm not condemning him for it, in that I don't know whether his fingers actually made contact with the eye or not. The point is it was totally unwarranted."

Canberra forward Hudson Young was earlier this month rubbed out for five weeks for a grade-three eye gouge on Aiden Tolman.

North Queensland firebrand Josh McGuire has twice this year escaped with a fine for contrary conduct for facials on Cameron Munster and Dylan Walker.

The NRL was forced to defend its decision not to charge McGuire with a more serious offence, arguing neither victim made complaints.

The governing body also insisted they had insufficient video evidence to lay a harsher penalty on McGuire.

Given that Farah got up claiming Burgess' fingers made contact with his eyes, the Englishman is likely to find himself with a case to answer.

"Obviously there was a hand on the face but after that, looking on the big screen that's all I could see, I only saw it once or twice," Bennett said.

"I can't definitely say it was an eye gouge or what it was. There was definitely a hand in the face, no doubt about it, but I thought it was more in the forehead."

Tigers coach Michael Maguire refused to comment on the incident.

It is believed to be the first time an NRL player has been referred straight to the judiciary since Canberra forward Sia Soliola in 2017.

With AAP