NRL fans were left surprised after they felt Ashley Klein allowed the Roosters to use a Captain’s Challenge after the 10-second time limit that overruled a Sharks call at a pivotal point in the contest. This comes after Mark Nawaqanitawase showed his credentials for another State of Origin recall for the Game 3 decider.
The Roosters proved way too strong for the Sharks having shown their NRL finals credentials jumping back into the top four with a 27-8 win at Allianz Stadium. Daly Cherry-Evans and Sam Walker guided the Roosters around the park with James Tedesco proving to be all energy, despite suffering what appeared to be a broken nose.
However, there were two moments that left Sharks fans stunned. One involved an accidental elbow from Tedesco on Ronaldo Mulitalo when he scored. Many fans felt the Blues fullback should have been sent for 10 minutes on the sideline after the challenge.
The other involved a Captain’s Challenge at a crucial time in the game. With the score at 16-8, Nawaqanitawase jumped up to challenge for a short drop-out. Mulitalo didn’t make much of an effort to go for the ball, but the Roosters winger was deemed to have lost it forward in the duel.
Nawaqanitawase knocked the ball on with 18:24 left in the second-half when the whistle went. The winger didn’t appear to want to challenge as he shook his head in disappointment.
Tedesco then challenged the call at 18:06, according to the Fox Sports game clock as the whistle went. This is 18 seconds after the whistle went. “Jeez, that’s a long 10 seconds,” Dane Ginnane said during Fox Sports commentary.
Mulitalo was deemed to have impeded Nawaqanitawase’s jump and the referee’s call was overturned. The Bunker’s call appeared to be correct. Although the incident didn’t sit well with Sharks fans with the call coming well after the 10 seconds time limit.
This handed the ball back to the Roosters in an attacking position. Nawaqanitawase then scoring in the corner to continue his running battle with Mulitalo. Sharks fans were left fuming with confusion to why the Roosters were allowed to challenge after queries over the limit being exceeded.
Mark Nawaqanitawase makes Origin statement
Regardless of the incident, the Roosters were way too strong for the Sharks who lost the forwards battle. And Mulitalo also came out second best after NSW Blues debutant Nawaqanitawase scored a double in a running battle with his opposing winger.
Nawaqanitawase took Casey McLean’s role for the Blues in a loss in State of Origin Game 2 last week with suggestions more changes will be made to the NSW side. Although Nawaqanitawase did his best to remind coach Laurie Daley of his talent having proven to be the difference between the two sides with a stellar performance out wide.
And even Sharks coach Craig Fitzgibbon admitted he was too good on the night. “It’s a good footy battle. To my estimation, it’s 2-1 (to) Mark at the moment,” said “We came out the wrong end of that tonight but Ronny respects him, Ronny definitely rates him as a player. Look what he did tonight.”
This article originally appeared on Yahoo Sport Australia at https://au.news.yahoo.com/nrl-fans-miffed-after-controversial-roosters-challenge-as-nsw-player-makes-origin-statement-003225609.html
