Marshall Slams 'Outrageous' Refereeing Decisions That Cost Tigers Victory Against Panthers
Wests Tigers coach Benji Marshall has launched a scathing attack on two controversial refereeing decisions he believes ultimately denied his team a crucial victory against the Penrith Panthers on Sunday. The Tigers fought hard throughout the match, but Marshall insists that two questionable calls swung the momentum firmly in the Panthers' favour.
The pivotal moment came when Penrith's Dylan Luai was penalised for a late tackle on Blaize Talagi, with the scores locked at 10-10. Marshall argues that the call was incredibly harsh and unwarranted, gifting the Panthers a penalty goal and a slender 12-10 lead. “I’m absolutely fuming,” Marshall stated post-match. “Those two calls, particularly the one on Blaize, were just outrageous. It completely changed the game. We were right in it, and those decisions just took it away from us.”
The frustration wasn’t limited to just that one incident. Marshall pointed to another decision earlier in the game that he felt was similarly unjust. While he acknowledged that referees have a difficult job and mistakes happen, he stressed that these weren't simple errors. “We’re not saying referees don’t make mistakes, they do. But these weren't just any mistakes. They were game-changing decisions that had a direct impact on the outcome.”
The incident has sparked a wider debate about the consistency and accuracy of officiating in the NRL. Many fans and pundits have expressed their agreement with Marshall's assessment, highlighting the pressure referees are under and the potential for human error. However, others argue that the tackle was indeed a penalty, and Marshall is simply looking for excuses after a tough loss.
Despite the disappointment, Marshall remains optimistic about his team's prospects. He praised the Tigers’ effort and resilience throughout the match, emphasizing that they’re building a strong foundation. “The boys fought hard, and we’re getting better every week. We’ll learn from this, and we’ll come back stronger.” He added, “We're not going to let these decisions derail us. We’ll keep working hard and fighting for every inch.”
The loss leaves the Wests Tigers facing an uphill battle to secure a finals berth, but with Marshall’s leadership and the team’s growing determination, they’re not ready to give up just yet. The controversy surrounding the refereeing decisions is sure to linger, but the Tigers will need to focus on their own performance and overcome the challenges ahead.
