NRL Referee Boss Tony Archer shares his views on key refereeing decisions in the St George Illawarra Dragons 16-34 loss to the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs at ANZ Stadium, Olympic Park on Monday.
Archer believes that the NRL Bunker made the right decision regarding awarding a try to fullback Will Hopoate which was the result of a somewhat controvesial pass by prop Tony Williams.
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Williams was ruled by the NRL Bunker to have accidentally knocked the ball forward in the lead-up to the try on the hourmark.
Archer noted that because Williams did not deliberately propel the ball forward in the lead up to Hopoate's try, the right decision was made.
"It was a really unusual incident and for a player to be penalised for throwing a ball forward or deliberately knocking the ball on, he has to have some level of intent," said Archer.
“You can see that Tony Williams attempts to pass the ball backwards.
"The ball comes off his left hand and goes in a forward direction.
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"For it to constitute a knock on, it has to hit an opposing player or a teammate has to receive the ball.
"In this instance, Tony Williams recovers the knock on and passes the ball inside to Hopoate who claims a try.
"It was reviewed by the NRL Bunker, they need to determine it was a deliberate act of throwing the ball forward or knocking the ball forward to constitute a penalty.
"So the alternatives they had were either to determine that or give a try and ultimately they gave a try and I understand why they did when you apply the rule.”
