Ref’s howler hands victory to Roosters

IT was the moment every rugby league fan feared all season. And it was like a punch in the stomach.

Ben Cummins made one of the biggest refereeing howlers in 111 years of rugby league — a shocking decision that robbed Canberra of any chance of victory in last night’s pulsating grand final, which saw the Sydney Roosters create history with successive premierships. With eight minutes remaining, Roosters fullback James Tedesco dropped a bomb, with Cummins clearly ruling the tackle count had restarted.

Yet, inexplicably, Cummins reversed his own decision on the run, Canberra forced to turn the ball over. Raiders star Jack Wighton — the Clive Churchill Medal winner — retrieved the loose ball, saw Cummins’ call and didn’t kick.

One minute later, Roosters centre Latrell Mitchell threw a lovely flick pass which resulted in a runaway try to Tedesco, which broke an 8-8 deadlock.

The Raiders couldn’t find the necessary try late in the game to send the game into golden point. It was gone in 60 seconds.

In what was still one of the great NRL grand finals of all time, the Sydney Roosters scored a 14-8 win. It was a terrible shame for the grand final — and rugby league in general — that a referee essentially decided the game.

Cummins’ decision shouldn’t detract from the Roosters’ triumph and a brave performance from the Raiders.

This is now the greatest Roosters team since Beetson and Gibson. It was the first time the Roosters have gone back- to- back since 1974- 75 when Immortal Arthur Beetson was captain and legendary Jack Gibson was coach. They are a rugby league juggernaut.

“I think this is the best [Roosters team ever] — history-making,” Roosters chairman Nick Politis said.

This was a triumph for a wonderful team and a retiring individual — Cooper Cronk. It was Cronk’s final game of rugby league — and his third successive grand final win. He will now retire one of the greatest halfbacks of all time. Yesterday was Cronk’s ninth grand final.

“It is a humbling experience to live out a dream,” Cronk said. “This club cops a lot of criticism but it has a big heart and soul.”

But the game was turned on its head when Cronk was sensationally sin-binned in the 50th minute for a professional foul in his final game.

Former premiership-winning coach Phil Gould protested on Channel 9, saying: “What do you want a halfback to do on a bigger man?”