LeagueNews.co | Cooper McEnroe
'Ridiculous!': Outrage as Kurt Capewell penalised for late tackle in Warriors' triumph over Tigers
The NRL faithful have expressed their disbelief after witnessing a peculiar moment when a crackdown on the playing field reached an unprecedented level during the Warriors' victory against the Tigers.
Throughout the entire season, the NRL has been clamping down on rough contact with the kicker - but this latest incident has left fans scratching their heads.
In the Warriors' 28-16 triumph over the Tigers, which has kept New Zealand's hopes of making the finals alive, backrower Kurt Capewell found himself penalised for a late tackle despite making contact before Tigers' rookie half Latu Fainu had even booted the ball.
It was early into the second half, with the Warriors holding a commanding 14-0 lead, when Fainu unleashed a high bomb from midfield.
Capewell charged in from the marker spot and flung the youngster to the ground as the ball soared upwards.
However, referee Peter Gough promptly blew his whistle for late contact the moment the ball left Fainu's boot.
[Insert subtle Australian slang here] It was a bizarre decision that had fans across the country shaking their heads in disbelief.