Warriors denied by NRL Bunker head-scratcher

NRL head of football Graham Annesley may have some explaining to do at his weekly football briefing on Monday after the New Zealand Warriors were denied a try following the NRL Bunker's intervention.

Warriors hooker Wayde Egan was awarded a try by referee Grant Atkins late in the first half during his side's 20-16 loss to the Newcastle Knights after taking it on himself from dummy half and burrowing over to find the try line.

But before the Warriors could even take the conversion, the bunker stepped in and overturned the on-field decision of try.

The new rules introduced by the NRL late last year now sees every try awarded by the referee reviewed in the background, with the conversion to only take place once the Bunker official is satisfied the try has been scored.

Warriors hooker Wayde Egan denied

The Bunker ruled Egan lost control of the ball despite replays showing that the decision appeared to be a bit of a tough one.

The decision by the NRL Bunker was a head-scratcher for the commentary team on Fox League, who were forced to ask a few questions.

"Do you reckon he lost control?" rugby league great Steve Roach asked.

Commentator Matt Russell responded: "The answer to your question, I don't know, I don't know.

"You decide at home."

NRL Highlights: Knights hold on against the Warriors

Even Panthers legend Greg Alexander was left confused while discussing the moment during the half-time break.

Alexander said he couldn't see any of Egan's right hand come off the ball.

"The bunker said he lost control of the ball and I'd argue that all day long. He did not lose control of that football, there's no way he lost control," Alexander said.

"The right hand never left the footy."

https://twitter.com/NZWarriors/status/1372813642475859973?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1372813642475859973%7Ctwgr%5E%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwwos.nine.com.au%2Fnrl%2Flive-scores-2021-warriors-knights-titans-broncos-start-time-results-news-round-two%2F901931f0-9727-4e87-9f4f-fcb7f18fcad5

Fortunately for the Warriors, the decision didn't seem to have too much of an effect on the overall result after Ben Murdoch-Masila crossed over just 30 seconds later.

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