Understrength Wests Tigers steal an important win at home in the NRL.
North Queensland coach Neil Henry was left frustrated after watching his side defeated via a last-gasp Wests Tigers try, that saw them come-from-behind to win 22-20 at Leichhardt Oval.
The win snapped a seven game losing streak for the Tigers, whose playing stocks have been severely hit with injuries to start the season.
However, Henry and captain Matt Scott turned their attention towards video referees Luke Patten and Chris Ward after the game, with four decisions against the Cowboys costing the visitors dearly.
In the first half, Wests’ star Benji Marshall scored on a questionable grubber kick while Ashley Graham was denied a try, with the video refs overruling their on-field counterparts.
After half-time, Cowboys centre Kane Linnett was denied a try when the video refs found a knock-on, while Graham was denied by simultaneous grounding.:
“To say that Benji regained that when they said it was no try, to overrule the onfield officials’ decision which is four sets of eyes, I can’t see how that’s the same,” Henry said.
“It’s the same with Ash Graham’s, they ruled try and I can’t see how they can definitely say that ball was on the sideline before any part of the ball hit the tryline not on the vision I saw.”
Despite the win the Tigers’ playing depth will be tested further as second-rower Liam Fulton (hamstring) and winger Marika Koroibete (foot) failed to finish the game.
North Queensland also suffered a serious injury concern as forward Gavin Cooper was diagnosed with a medial ligament injury which could keep him out of the side for the next month.
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