NRL head of football Todd Greenberg (right) is empathetic about the Cowboys controversy Photo: NAPARAZZI
NRL fans geared themselves up for the beginning of another finals series over the weekend with four games being played during the first week of the campaign. The main highlight saw controversy involving the North Queensland Cowboys for the second year running, as it’s poor refereeing that sees them exit the competition yet again.
Cowboys players and officials have been left to pick up the shattered pieces of another finals exit through officiating that has the NRL reeling in absolute embarrassment.
A first half blunder by the referees allowed opponents the Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks to score on an added 7th tackle instead of the regulation six. The Sharks went on to win the match 20-18 but not before another error saw officials forgetting to restart the clock with 41 seconds remaining in the game.
Friday night saw the South Sydney Rabbitohs defeat the Melbourne Storm 20-10 in a game that had the heavily favoured Storm come up short against a stubborn South Sydney.
That win gives Souths a week off to recuperate and prepare for a shot at a spot in the Grand Final while the loss will see Melbourne Storm host the Newcastle Knights next week down in Melbourne.
The Knights earned that spot after their gritty display against the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs gave them a 22-6 win at Telstra Stadium on Sunday. The Bulldogs’ poor second half display sees them exit the competition along with the Cowboys.
Saturday’s other game saw the Sydney Roosters grind out a 4-0 win against Manly in what was a classic throwback to the ’70s and ’80s style of hard hitting play.
It was an Origin-type match that was built on two fantastic displays of solid defence. Eventually it resulted in only one try for the match, but it was a highly entertaining game that made up for the controversy in the preceding Sharks v Cowboys game.
That win sees the Roosters have a week off while Manly will face the Cronulla Sharks on Friday night.
Week 1
South Sydney Rabbitohs 20 Melbourne Storm 10
Cronulla Sharks 20 North Queensland Cowboys 18
Sydney Roosters 4 Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles 0
Canterbury Bulldogs 6 Newcastle Knights 22
Week 2
Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles v Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks
Melbourne Storm v Newcastle Knights
