Cowboys coach Todd Payten has been infuriated after his team received two controversial and crucial calls in their 26-12 loss to the Sharks who turned the game in favor of the visitors.
In the first half, Coen Hess cost his team two points after receiving a ping to deal with a player without a ball, before Jason Taumalolo was denied a try, which would have given his team an advantage in the second part.
With 59 minutes played, Taumalolo could have brought this one home for Reece Robson as he charged up on the left, but his hooked ball went just a bit too high.
Payten made a big call, suggesting the Sharks defenders intentionally submerged the Cowboys support player, explaining that they could not have stopped Taumalolo anyway.
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“No doubt a couple of those great moments went against us, that one hurts, and they went down and scored a try that should have stopped,” Payten told the post-match press conference.
“The game is in balance, I don’t like it just because it rewards the player for playing a play-off, and then the fact that he intentionally climbs to the back of the supporting game.
“I don’t know how Jason will stop either. I would have pushed him more into the goal.”
Captain Jasom Taumalolo was equally confused, wondering what his prostitute had to do.
“Robbo (Robson) was supporting me and obviously he was there and whatever he wanted to do, he can’t disappear and give way,” Taumalolo said.
“He was there to support you in case you overtook him.”
During Fox League live coverage, commentator Steve Roach echoed Payten’s view that defenders could never have stopped Taumalolo.
“I really don’t agree, but that’s the rule,” Steve Roach said.
Taumalolo denied an impressive solo attempt 00:53
“He couldn’t make an attempt, but I don’t think he would have stopped it.”
Brent Tate was very critical of the obstruction rule after the crucial call-up that would have given the Cowboys an 18-14 lead with 20 minutes left to play.
“It’s a ridiculous rule,” Tate said.
“I don’t understand that. When we talk about the feel of the game and letting the game flow. It’s a really silly decision.
“We talk about common sense and there’s just no common sense in that rule or decision.”
Brenton Speed noted that Robson was behind Taumalolo, before being tackled and then withdrew, but was caught by the Sharks defenders.
“Robson was behind Taumalolo, who was then tackled and Robson’s momentum passed him by,” Speed said.
“He was just in front during that brief moment. He was left behind as a support player and then he passes and he can’t disappear and that’s taken away from them.”
Early in the game, Hess made a controversial penalty to face Dale Finucane without the ball while loading at the try line.
The incident that occurred in the 29th minute with the Sharks advancing 12-6, saw the ball go behind a Finucane charging against Sharks bench forward Cameron McInnes, who was wrapped up by the defense. of the Cowboys.
Hess’s fine footwork caused nothing but headaches for Finucane. The keeper wasn’t fooled however, and confidently scooped up the ball.
“You can’t nail it without the ball,” Gee told Hess.
Cowboys boss Chad Townsend protested the call with Gee believing Hess had no choice but to face Finucane, who would probably have scored if he had gotten the ball and Hess had not intervened.
“It can’t be a penalty because it’s on the outside shoulder,” Townsend said.
“If it hits him, it’s an attempt.
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Coen Hess made a controversial penalty. Source: FOX SPORTS
“He hit Coen’s outer shoulder. Look at him.”
Roach could not understand what Gee expected Hess to do given that the rehearsal line was right there.
“It’s not a bad challenge there,” Roach said.
“It won’t change their minds, but Chad Townsend knows the rules.
“He’s out there on his shoulder. He’s right. He practically ran into him directly.
“What will Hess do to disappear?”
Payten agreed with Townsend and Roach, explaining that the contact was made on the outer shoulder, a “black and white” rule that has remained constant throughout the season.
“I don’t know what Coen is supposed to do, when a guy is within a meter of the test line running 100 miles per hour and looking to score a try, he goes out to commit to the tackle,” Payten said.
“It’s also him on the outside shoulder who’s black and white. It’s been all season, so he’s a little confused and disappointing.”
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Brenton Speed agreed that the call should have been played.
“There’s not much contact there,” Speed said.
“He overthrows him, but he won’t have Finucane.”
“You just have to hit him with a pen there and he will fall to try to get a penalty,” Roach added.
Michael Ennis believed he should have been 12-12 at the break, with the Sharks endowed with two points for the tough penalty decision.
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“I thought the penalty was embarrassing, honestly,” Ennis said.
Meanwhile, Gorden Tallis said the penalty could have gone the other way to prevent Hess from making an entry if the Cowboys got it.
“If they score, you’d say Coen Hess was denied a chance to come in and make the tackle, so it’s weird.”