The NRL has conceded a bunker error occurred before a crucial NSW try in their State of Origin series-clinching 30-12 victory at Suncorp Stadium, prompting former Queensland captain Cameron Smith to question the technology's role in the game.
Bunker admits mistake
In the 57th minute, with Queensland attacking the NSW line, Jojo Fifita challenged Blues winger Jack Bostock for a high kick. Neither player cleanly gathered the ball, but replays suggested Bostock may have touched it before it fell forward, where Bradman Best scooped it up and raced away to score. If Bostock had touched it, the try would have been disallowed for a knock-on.
During the match, the NRL relayed through commentary that a corner flag post camera had cleared Bostock of a knock-on. However, after full-time, the NRL released a statement saying: "After reviewing all available angles, the bunker did not believe there was sufficient evidence to overturn the on-field decision. Upon detailed review after the match, the NRL believes that while it was an extremely tight decision, the ball appeared to be touched."
Smith calls for review
Cameron Smith, speaking on Nine's post-game show, expressed strong concerns. "If that's touched his hand and it's proved to have touched it, we need a serious review of the bunker," he said. "I'm disappointed that Queensland lost. Would that have changed the result? Probably not. But it was at a pretty crucial point in the game. For the sake of the game, and I mean the NRL, the sport in general, I hope he hasn't touched it. I really hope he hasn't, but if he has, we need to sit down as a sport and make a decision on where we head with this bunker. We spent a lot of money on it. We put trust in people to sit in there and make the right decision. If we're not going to make the right decision in the big games, in the big moments, flick it."
Pundits and fans react
Andrew Johns also had doubts but criticised slow-motion replays. "Show it in real time, and if it looks like a try, get on with it," Johns said. "But when I look at it, it does look like it gets a touch." Former Blues enforcer Luke Lewis told ABC radio: "I can see his fingers move ... I'm so glad it was passed as a try, but I think Queensland were ripped off."
Veteran sports journalist Mark Gottlieb called it a farce: "The ball clear as day deflects off Bostock's right fingers after hitting Fifita. There are no other hands anywhere near it and it changes direction mid air apparently according to the bunker. Absolutely farcical. What on earth are the bunker watching?" Sports personality Smokie Dawson said: "And we reckon the AFL's ARC is a farce. The NRL bunker plays it on the break!" Sports account Sportsphere added: "Fire the bunker into the sun. NSW the better team by a mile, but what is this sport doing? How can they not see that?"
Slater and Munster weigh in
Maroons coach Billy Slater, who hadn't viewed clear footage, said it was representative of a night when "things didn't go our way." The hosts conceded three penalties to the Blues' five and gave away four ruck infringements to the visitors' three. A miffed Maroons captain Cameron Munster said he spoke to referee Ashley Klein at halftime: "I had some questions around certain things ... it was a frustration point in the heat of the moment, asking Ash some questions and he saw it a little bit differently."
