'Has to be': Penalty try sparks controversy early in State of Origin II
Queensland were awarded a rare penalty try early in State of Origin II, leaving commentators divided.
NSW centre Jack Wighton was adjudged to have taken out opposite number Will Chambers as he was running through to collect a grubber, stopping him from scoring a try.
The Bunker ruled that Chambers would have scored if not for Wighton’s foul play.
However the decision sparked controversy in the commentary box, with Queensland great Paul Vautin unsure it was the right call.
“Doesn’t the rule say you have to be 100% over,” Vautin said.
“Is it a guarantee?”
NSW legend Andrew Johns believed it was the right call.
“That is the way that they are ruling the game this year,” he said.
“If they have to be consistent, it has to be a penalty try.”
Penalty try Queensland!
State of Origin | @Channel9#9WWOS #Origin pic.twitter.com/CA9Tjn51wg— NRL on Nine (@NRLonNine) June 23, 2019
Fans were also divided on social media.
Rugby league is still a joke I see. No way is that a penalty try.. 10 in the bin for professional foul.. are they making it up as they go along? #stateoforigin #origin
— Cullen Robinson (@cullenrobinson9) June 23, 2019
I don’t agree with penalty try cause he may have bounced it but people who are saying he wouldn’t have got to the ball are kidding themselves. 😂😂
— jimbo (@kruse_jamie83) June 23, 2019
Penalty try my ass! #StateOfOrigin #UpTheBlues
— Rooster Trooper (@RoosterTrooper) June 23, 2019
Be mad at Wighton, not the referees there. It was the blatantness of the play at the man chasing the ball which made that a penalty try. Dumb. #Origin #StateofOrigin
— definition of the word ‘praxis’ knower (@HarVeeGee) June 23, 2019
Penalty try all day. About bloody time QLD got one. #Origin
— Josh (@superjosh35) June 23, 2019
Clearly a penalty try, great call #Origin
— James (@JamesK_1312) June 23, 2019