Bronco Boyd objects to obstruction interpretation
ST George Illawarra coach Paul McGregor refused to use the Origin period as an excuse for their first losing streak of the season.
Despite all five of their Origin stars backing up, the Dragons slumped to third spot for the first time this year after being upset 20- 16 by Wests Tigers on Sunday.
McGregor, whose team plays the North Queensland Cowboys at 1300SMILES Stadium on Saturday, denied the Origin factor played a role in their drop in form, saying NSW front- rower Paul Vaughan was their best player against the Ti- gers. “Paul Vaughan, for argument’s sake, played all three Origins and was probably the best on the field. It’s not an excuse,” McGregor said.
“We can certainly manage their workloads through the GPS system and what we do at training.”
However McGregor did admit his side would benefit by having Ben Hunt, Tyson Frizell and Jack De Belin back training with the side following the disruptive period.
With seven matches until the finals, the priority is timing their run to perfection.
“There’s always three phases of DARIUS Boyd says the obstruction rule is being refereed too harshly in the NRL, with attacking teams held to too strict an interpretation.
Boyd and coach Wayne Bennett were nonplussed when Boyd’s 46th- minute try on Sunday was disallowed by video referee Ashley Klein when Bronco Joe Ofahengaue the season – the first third, the middle third, and the back end. We’ll get everyone back now for the final seven games,” he said.
“And your timing is important to make sure you’re going at the right time, which is semi- finals.”
The Dragons face a nervous wait over scans for Townsville junior Nene Macdonald, who exited midway through the first half with a foot injury and failed to return. “He’s got a Lisfranc ( injury). What that means I’m not sure,” McGregor said. “Go for a scan and could be a week, or a month, or the season.” ran into defender Roger Tuivasa- Sheck on the Warriors tryline earlier in the movement.
Ofahengaue ran into contact with Tuivasa- Sheck’s “outside’’ shoulder, which under NRL directives relating to try- scoring plays often leads to an obstruction penalty, no matter how far away the tryscorer gets the ball.
“The refs probably made the right decision based on the rules,’’ Boyd said. “But when there are three or four blokes, shoulder to shoulder on the goal line, it’s hard for Joe to run through a gap. There’s not really a gap.
“I don’t think that particular rule is right. We didn’t lose because of that, but it’s something that probably needs to be looked at in future.’’
Bennett said it should not work that way.
“I thought it was a try, simple as that. Everyone at the ground thought it was a try too,’’ Bennett said. “I don’t know where Joe is supposed to run.’’
The NRL bunker officials were also in the wars with a decision to award Rooster Sean O’Sullivan a try against Gold Coast on Sunday.
Losses during the round for the Dragons and Panthers, two teams ahead of eighth- placed Brisbane, meant the Broncos remain one win and for- andagainst out of the top four with seven rounds remaining despite their 26- 6 thumping by the Warriors.
Penrith will have two Origin players, Nathan Cleary and Tyrone Peachey, back for their clash with Brisbane at Suncorp Stadium on Friday night, with James Maloney ( foot) possible.