LeagueNews.co | Cooper McEnroe
"We've trained the players to fall": Outrageous obstruction call slammed
In a classic case of a game of two halves, the New Zealand Warriors were left feeling like they had been tackled high after a controversial obstruction call cost them dearly in their 14-8 loss to the Newcastle Knights on Sunday afternoon.
The decision left fans feeling like they had been hit with a shoulder charge, and Rugby league great Steve Roach didn't hold back in his criticism of the call.
The Warriors, once flying high like a winger going for the corner in 2023, have seen their luck take a dive this season with more than a few calls going against them.
It's enough to make even the most hardened league fan yell "foul play!"
In the 51st minute, with the Knights leading 8-6, the Warriors thought they had scored a try worthy of the highlight reel.
But referee Chris Butler ruled it out for obstruction, leaving the Warriors feeling like they had been handed a forward pass.
As the replay was shown, Roach, known for his no-nonsense approach to the game, was as fired up as a halfback looking for the quick play-the-ball.
The Warriors will need to regroup and come back stronger next time, like a team coming out of the sheds after halftime ready to turn the game around.