Tigers coach Brett Kimmorley told his players they need to have a better understanding of the rules after a costly blunder from a drop out robbed them of a near certain victory against the Dragons.
The Tigers led 22-16 with eight minutes to play when the Dragons produced a short drop out that didn’t go 10 metres, but Tigers winger Junior Pauga’s foot touched the ball, which reversed the penalty.
The Tigers should have led by eight points with seven minutes to play, but the Dragons scored a late converted try and a penalty goal to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat.
Stream every game of every round of the 2022 NRL Telstra Premiership Season Live & Ad-Break Free During Play on Kayo. New to Kayo? Start your free trial now >
LISTEN TO THE FULL JACKSON HASTINGS INTERVIEW ON THE FOX LEAGUE PODCAST
While not wanting to be too critical of Pauga, who was only in his fourth NRL game, Kimmorley told his players they need to be smarter to ice games in the NRL.
“In the second half we were reasonably poor unfortunately,” Kimmorley said.
“We probably beat ourselves or gave them the opportunity to win the game.
“There was an opportunity for us to take a penalty goal and potentially be up by eight with seven minutes to go, so it is a big learning curve.
“It is a huge learning curve with how to handle pressure and adversity and as I said to the boys we have also got to know the rules.
“It is really important to understand what decisions come with what outcomes.
“It is important to understand how the game works and if you want to play this game for a long time you should be a student of the game and know everything and how it helps you and sometimes how it hurts you.”
MORE NRL NEWS
CRYSTAL BALL: Every scenario in the NRL’s last round, week one of finals predicted
‘SUMS UP THEIR SEASON’: Dragons get out of jail as Tigers blow unlosable game
WHISPERS: Gus reveal spells trouble for Flanagan as Dogs make Munster move
‘HABIT OF COMPLAINING’: Coaches clash as Payten claims Souths ‘bent the rules’
Kimmorley vowed to support Pauga after his tough error, but didn’t put the blame for the loss on one play or player.
“He’s OK, obviously it was a tough lesson to learn,” Kimmorley said.
“We will support him and protect him.
“There were a lot of other things that happened today that allowed the Dragons some opportunities to play football and have better field position.
“I think we made 16 errors and a lot of those were core skill errors.
“Core skills is something I am a big fan of. I said to the boys, you have got to get core skills and know the rules and hopefully you can have a career.”
Get all the latest NRL news, highlights and analysis delivered straight to your inbox with Fox Sports Sportmail. Sign up now!!
Kimmorley wasn’t sure if Pauga played at the ball because he was unaware of the rules.
“I’m not sure, you can ask him that,” Kimmorley said.
“But it is the rule that it has got to pass the 10 metre line.
“But we had no ball for a lot of that second half and we get a chance down there and Adam (Doueihi) comes up with a 20 metre repeat set and pushed them in the corner and that builds a lot of pressure for us.
“They went short and they failed at it and that’s an opportunity for us to lead by eight, which puts us comfortable and makes them chase the bigger scoreboard pressure.”
