NRL admits failure in Bunker system that 'doesn't work'
The NRL has conceded the Bunker got it wrong when stripping the Roosters of a crucial try on Thursday night.
The Chooks were trailing 0-12 to Penrith in the first half when Joey Manu wrestled his way over the tryline to turn the momentum in favour of the home side.
But after a long examination the video referee overturned the try, ruling Panthers fullback Dylan Edwards had been obstructed by Roosters prop Jared Waerea-Hargreaves.
The rules state a lead runner must not stop in the defensive line, and Waerea-Hargreaves did the right thing in moving well past the defensive line so as not to give away a penalty.
But Edwards, running across as cover defender, collided with the front-rower, which the Bunker deemed obstruction.
The call left many experts – as well as the Roosters – stunned, and on Friday NRL’s head of football Graham Annesley conceded it was incorrect.
“In the circumstances, the Bunker does have discretion to consider whether a defender could have prevented the try,” he said, according to News Corp.
“In my opinion, the try would have been scored regardless and the on-field decision should not have been overturned”.
