Canberra Raiders coach Ricky Stuart has launched a scathing attack on the NRL's officiating, declaring he has never been more confused by the rules after contentious decisions overshadowed the Dolphins' 30-22 victory at GIO Stadium.
In a fiery two-minute press conference where he did not take any questions, Stuart directed his frustration at the referees and the bunker following a series of 50-50 calls that went against his side on Thursday night.
The most significant moment came in the second half when a tackle by Joe Tapine and Morgan Smithies on Ray Stone was penalised by referee Todd Smith, who ruled that Smithies made 'unnecessary contact' with his elbow.
The decision sparked loud boos from the Canberra faithful as Jamayne Isaako converted the resulting penalty goal, and the officials were again heckled as they left the field at full-time.
Stuart vents frustration
'The game has interpretations and rules, and we're in a position at the moment where we're picking and choosing when we apply them, and it's a very frustrating situation for those who are involved,' Stuart said.
'In all the years I've been involved in the game as a coach, I've never been so confused. It's disappointing, to say the least, but I'm just so confused at the moment.'
'You can't have a rule and apply it one week and not the next week ... It's disappointing, because I love the game.'
However, the controversial calls were not solely to blame for the Raiders' defeat. Canberra's own ill-discipline, particularly two dropped balls by winger Savelio Tamale, led to two costly first-half tries for the Dolphins.
Dolphins coach praises resilience
Dolphins coach Kristian Woolf, meanwhile, was delighted with his team's performance as they secured a fourth consecutive victory for the first time in the club's history.
'There's always 50/50 calls. There's always things that you feel go against you,' Woolf said.
'There are a couple in the second half there that I thought probably had gone our way that made a bit of a difference, but that's every game.'
'It doesn't stop you from scoring tries ... I'm just happy that we got the win.'
The Dolphins were missing several key players due to State of Origin commitments, including Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow, Selwyn Cobbo, Thomas Flegler, and Max Plath. Star centre Herbie Farnworth (hamstring tightness) and five-eighth Kodi Nikorima (hamstring) were also absent.
The Raiders opened the scoring through Jed Stuart, but Tamale's error on a kick from Isaiya Katoa allowed the visitors to hit back through Cobbo's replacement, Tevita Naufahu.
Canberra regained the lead when Ethan Sanders' kick took an awkward bounce off the crossbar into Corey Horsburgh's hands for a try. However, the Dolphins scored three consecutive tries through Morgan Knowles, Isaako, and Stone before Tamale crossed just before halftime to reduce the deficit to 22-16.
After Isaako's penalty goal early in the second half, Zac Hosking pounced on a grubber kick from Laurie in the 65th minute, and Schneider sealed the victory by forcing his way through Canberra's tiring defence.
