Maxwell adamant refs didn’t make sticky calls in Raiders clash

NRL referees boss Jared Maxwell has responded to coach Ricky Stuart’s post-match blow up, declaring the match officials got two controversial obstruction calls “spot on” that denied Canberra in the 34-20 loss to South Sydney.

Stuart was left fuming after Jack Wighton had two separate chances turned down late in the game that could have potentially forced it into golden point on Thursday.

And the decisions have sparked plenty of debate around the game with many agreeing with Stuart’s argument that “anybody with a bit of common sense in regards to rugby league knows that they were two tries.

“While that type of interpretation is in the game, that’s going to be a blight on the game,” Stuart said.

After reviewing the match on Friday, Maxwell was adamant both calls were correct.

In the first instance the bunker determined that the lead runner Emre Guler had stopped in the line and denied Benji Marshall a chance to make the tackle on Wighton.

“We are very consistent with players stopping in the line,” Maxwell said.

“And the more discretion we put on it the more inconsistent we are going to be.

“So in that instance I think the decision in my eyes was spot on. That proximity to the goal line being so small the defence shouldn’t have to contend with the attacking team ahead of the ball.

“I thought that was very well handled by the bunker. I can understand on-field ruling the way they did (that it was a try) but that is the reason why the process is there.”

In the second instance Wighton again had a try denied when Corey Harawira-Naera fell to the ground right in front of Dane Gagai which was also ruled to be an obstruction.

Maxwell said: “We definitely want to award good attacking play but we just can’t have that ball caught on the inside of that lead as was the case.

“In my view both decisions are spot on and consistent with what we have applied.”

Stuart was also upset about the 8-1 penalty count that went against the Raiders even though they got the six-again calls 7-0 in their favour.

“We are still going through that now,” Maxwell said. “A lot of those penalties are mandatory penalties and you have to remember two of those penalties were actually for the obstructions.

“I think when the time is right we will have a chat.”