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🇦🇺 Australia /Sports

NRL Admits Bunker Error in Crucial State of Origin Try

From ABC Australia · () English

Translated from English, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Outcome reported
  • The NRL has admitted the bunker system made an error in awarding a crucial try to New South Wales in the State of Origin decider.
  • The league believes debutant Jack Bostock knocked the ball forward before Bradman Best scored a length-of-the-field try.
  • The admission came after the match, with former players and commentators questioning the bunker's decision and the makeshift video review facility used due to a Telstra outage.

The National Rugby League (NRL) has acknowledged a significant error by its bunker review system in awarding a try to New South Wales during the decisive Game III of the State of Origin series. The league stated it believes debutant Jack Bostock knocked the ball forward before teammate Bradman Best collected it and ran the length of the field to score.

After reviewing all available angles, the bunker did not believe there was sufficient evidence to overturn the on-field decision.

— NRLThe league's initial stance during the match review.

Best's try in the 57th minute extended NSW's lead to 24-8, a pivotal moment in a match played at Lang Park. While the bunker initially took time to review replays, it ultimately allowed the try to stand. NSW went on to win the series decider 30-12.

However, in a statement released after the game, the NRL conceded that a review of all available angles suggested Bostock had indeed touched the ball, constituting a knock-on. "Upon detailed review after the match, the NRL believes that while it was an extremely tight decision, the ball appeared to be touched," the league said.

Upon detailed review after the match, the NRL believes that while it was an extremely tight decision, the ball appeared to be touched.

— NRLThe league's post-match admission of a potential error.

The admission has fueled debate among rugby league figures. Former NSW player Luke Lewis, commentating for ABC Sport, expressed his belief that the ball was touched, stating, "I think Queensland was ripped off." Former Queensland captain Cameron Smith called for a "serious review of the bunker" if the touch was proven, though he conceded it might not have changed the final result.

I'm NSW and I think that comes off his hands. I think Queensland was ripped off.

— Luke LewisFormer NSW Origin player commenting on the controversial try.

Adding to the controversy, the bunker's operation was affected by a Telstra outage that disrupted communication from Sydney to Lang Park. A makeshift video review facility was set up in a television truck, raising further questions about the integrity of the review process during the crucial match.

If that's touched his hand and it's proved to have touched it, we need a serious review of the bunker.

— Cameron SmithFormer Queensland captain calling for an investigation into the bunker's performance.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by ABC Australia in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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