Broncos skipper Adam Reynolds has been left baffled after a bizarre ruck situation resulted in a Parramatta scrum with officials appearing to make a “baffling” call.
Holding a 6-0 lead in the 19th minute, Brisbane winger Selwyn Cobbo attempted to stand up to play the ball but was shoved to the ground by Eels backrower Shaun Lane.
Reynolds then picked the ball up, expecting a penalty to be awarded by referee Ashley Klein.
Watch every game of every round of the 2023 NRL Telstra Premiership Season LIVE on Kayo Sports. New to Kayo? Start your free trial now >
Lane ripped the ball from the veteran halfback’s grasp and all three players looked on for the call before Klein signalled Cobbo had lost the ball.
Reynolds attempted to challenge the decision but Klein said time was up. The shock ultimately led to an Eels try.
“There seems to be some confusion among the officials as to what happened in this play the ball,” commentator Warren Smith said.
“That should be a penalty to the Broncos there, Lane never released,” Steve Roach said.
“Reynolds picks it up thinking there is going to be a penalty, then Lane rips it out and the ruling is… that the Broncos didn’t play the ball correctly,” Smith said.
Get all the latest NRL news, highlights and analysis delivered straight to your inbox with Fox Sports Sportmail. Sign up now!!
Rabbitohs rally late to defeat Panthers | 02:34
MORE NRL NEWS
‘WE’LL SEE HOW MUCH THEY CARE’: Anzac Day boilover all that can save Griffin
‘SHADOW OF THEMSELVES’: $2.4m headache is just the start of Cowboys’ problems
‘VERY DUBIOUS’: Cleary’s issue with key Latrell try amid Panthers’ ‘cruel’ loss
“That’s baffling.”
“Cobbo was trying to get to his feet and he (Lane) has a second grab at him, that should have been a penalty to the Broncos,” Roach said.
Only moments later Parramatta fullback Clint Gutherson soccered a Dylan Brown grubber forward, scooping the ball up to score his side’s first try.
“They were lucky to have the ball down in this area,” Roach said.
“I’ve got no doubt… Adam Reynolds surely going to Ashley Klein ‘can you talk me through that decision again?’,” Smith said.
