‘Biggest robbery in NRL history’: Wests Tigers dudded by ‘farcical’ bunker call against Cowboys

Late tries to Brent Naden and Starford To’a saw the Tigers take a one-point lead with just one second remaining on the clock and it appeared they were headed for a famous victory.

But off the ensuing kick off, the Tigers were penalised for a dubious escort on Kyle Feldt, allowing Valentine Holmes to kick the matchwinning penalty goal.

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Even though time had run out and the play hadn’t stopped, the Cowboys’ Chad Townsend was allowed to use a Captain’s Challenge on the play.

The man in the bunker was Ashley Klein and he ruled the Tigers’ Asu Kepaoa had deliberately impeded Feldt, when it was obvious Feldt simply ran into the back of him.

“Asu Kepaoa is running towards the ball, is running sideways to block Kyle Feldt’s path, which denies Kyle Feldt,” the bunker said.

“Kyle Feldt runs into the back of Asu Kepaoa and this will be game over,” Fox League commentator Warren Smith said.

A puzzled Greg Alexander added: “Did the referee stop play?

“Kepaoa is running toward the ball, has no eyes for Kyle Feldt. I don’t think you can award a penalty.

“Oh my god … are you serious?

“He’s had a shocker in the box today, Ashley Klein, an absolute shocker. Was he saying Kepaoa went sideways, that is garbage.

“He’s running towards the ball that’s why he went sideways. Wow, that’s a massive call from the Bunker. He’s made some strange ones this afternoon on both sides.

“Where was the stoppage? Who stopped play? Why was the game stopped? You can’t challenge when the game is flowing. I want to hear them talk their way out of this one.”

Former Bulldogs and Dragons forward James Graham couldn’t believe his eyes and unleashed on the bunker in an epic rant in commentary on Triple M.

“That is a disgrace! That is a shocker,” Graham fumed.

“What are they challenging? The full time whistle went. They’re challenging the fact the fulltime whistle went? What are they challenging? There’s no decision to challenge.

“That is a robbery. There has been a balaclava, a sawn-off shotgut and someone’s gone to Townsville and robbed the Tigers of two points. That is a disgrace.”

NRL fans couldn’t believe their eyes and were furious the contentious bunker call robbed the Tigers of what would have been a massive upset away from home.

AAP’s Scott Bailey tweeted: “Escort or not, you literally cannot challenge something that hasn’t been called. Otherwise players could challenge at every play-the-ball, something the NRL have been adamant all season cannot be done. Worst call of the year.

“You can’t challenge something that hasn’t been called. Farcical.”

Sports reporter Matt Bungard said: “I know we use hyperbole a lot but that could be the biggest robbery in NRL history. Tigers fans I’m so, so sorry.”

CODE Sports’ Lachlan McKirdy said: “Shocking call. Tigers worked so hard only to be dudded in the final seconds. They deserved that win.”

The decision effectively handed the Cowboys the victory, which sees them move up to second spot on the ladder behind Penrith. The Tigers remain on the bottom of the table with just three wins.

Originally published as ‘Biggest robbery in NRL history’: Wests Tigers dudded by ‘farcical’ bunker call against Cowboys