Wests Tigers captain Robbie Farah has hit out at video referee calls made during their 42-18 loss to the Warriors – describing them as laughable and embarrassing.
Farah was irate during the defeat in Wellington on Saturday, angered at decisions made by video referees Steve Chiddy and Reece Williams.
He vented his feelings more than once to match referee Matt Cecchin, who warned the hooker he risked being sent off for dissent.
Farah was later unrepentant, believing his team had received rough justice more than once in a game where nine tries were reviewed.
He believed the Warriors clearly had a player in front of the kicker who then ventured within 10m of the ball when Shaun Johnson scored before halftime.
An even more blatant miss came when Manu Vatuvei scored soon after halftime when Farah reckoned there had clearly been a knock-on in the leadup.
“That Vatuvei one, I almost kind of had to laugh at the decision, it was that bad,” Farah said.
“I think everyone watching knew it was a no-try but there was a guy up in the box watching who decided to press a green button.”
The Tigers were denied tries twice in the opening five minutes by veteran official Chiddy and former Cronulla Sharks forward Williams.
Ruling out an apparent try to Braith Anasta was touch and go, Farah said.
“Those ones I guess you could understand but there were some which were pretty embarrassing.”
Tigers coach Mick Potter said he would pursue the issue with NRL management but would get no satisfaction from doing so.
“I’ll go through the process but we’re not going to get any satisfaction because they (Warriors) have got the two points. It’s probably just ticking the boxes to get some things done to make it better for next time.”
Potter says the video referee rulings changed the momentum of the match, allowing the home side to pull clear either side of halftime.


