The Cronulla Sharks were on the receiving end of a referee blunder in their 20-16 loss to the Gold Coast Titans on Friday night.
Four minutes into the second half, while down 12-0, the Sharks found themselves in prime field position when they began a set inside the Titans’ 20.
Siosifa Talakai took the first hit-up, Briton Nikora was next, Tom Hazelton was the third tackle and then Kayal Iro was the fourth tackle.
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Following Iro’s tackle, referee Ziggy Przeklasa-Adams raised his arm to signal that Cronulla were about to start their sixth and final play.
But Przeklasa-Adams actually went off early, costing the Sharks an extra chance to score.
Ziggy Przeklasa-Adams miscounted and raised his arm after the fourth tackle, thinking it was the fifth.
Five-eighth Braydon Trindall reacted to that and put up a cross-field kick, which was caught on the full in the in-goal by Brian Kelly, handing the Titans a seven-tackle set.
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The Titans marched down the field and received a penalty at the end of their set after it was ruled Jesse Ramien obstructed the kick-chase. The Titans extended their lead by two points with a goal.
While it did happen in the 44th minute, the Sharks did lose the game by one try.
The moment was first raised by News Corp, who report the NRL has been made aware of it and officials will go over the incidence on Saturday.
But the Fox League panel weren’t too concerned.
“Of all the referee blunders that will be made this season… It’s not the reason they lost,” James Graham said.
Greg Alexander added: “That’s why we’re brushing over it.”
