The NRL are set to address their referees today with a refresher on how to officiate the much maligned disruptor rule after a pair of controversial incidents so far this weekend.
Roosters coach Trent Robinson has suggested the disruptor rule has “gone too far” and believes the NRL should provide a “clear statement” in the coming days so players and coaches can get used to the ruling.
A day after Broncos coach Michael Maguire called it out in their team’s loss to the Cowboys, the NRL’s most controversial rule found itself back in the spotlight on Saturday evening.
According to Code Sports, because of these two decisions, the NRL will immediately remind their officials that the rule isn’t designed to ping teams for incidental contact.
Despite the Sydney Roosters producing a miraculous come-from-behind win against the Cronulla Sharks, all eyes were on the disruptor rule when Robert Toia was denied a try in the opening half.
Although he was contesting the ball, Toia was deemed to have interfered with opposing winger Sam Stonestreet’s ability to catch the ball in mid-air.
Catching the attention of fans, players and media pundits, Roosters coach Trent Robinson was surprised with the ruling and believes that the NRL’s interpretation of the rule has “gone too far” from when it was first introduced.
“Choosing my words carefully on that,” Robinson said post-match when asked about the ruling.
“The direction that they (were) heading was right. There was too much disturbing of fullbacks, there’s people that weren’t competing, (but) that’s gone too far.
“That was a clear example of two guys in a contest. Both guys looking at the ball. I mean, that’s overcompensation.
“If someone tries to defend that, then we’re heading in the wrong direction. I think that’s the most extreme.
Rooster skipper and veteran fullback James Tedesco echoed Robinson’s views and stated that both Toia and Stonestreet were contesting for the ball in mid-air – just like many people have done throughout the history of rugby league
“Robbo sort of hit the nail on the head there, they’re slowing it down to the millisecond to see if there was contact before but there was a contest,” Tedesco added.
“Two blokes looking at the ball, going for the ball.
“If Bobby wasn’t looking at the ball and he’s disrupting the catchers ability to catch it, then that’s understandable but when you’ve got two guys competing for the ball, a contest is going to happen.”
