10 Controversial Referee Decisions In a State Of Origin Match (NRL)

Referees unfortunately tend to be disliked by a majority of rugby league fans. Whether it’s due to the system they follow, the people that coach them or the on the spot calls they make, it creates a little word we like to call “controversy.” State of origin is one of the biggest rivalries in Australian sport and it certainly has had its fair share of controversial referee decisions. For this video, it’s your call! Some of these calls are correct, some of these calls are wrong, but ultimately, we will let you be the judge...
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DISCLAIMER: We do not own any of the images and videos used in this video. We have referenced each source where we found images and videos in the bottom left of the screen accordingly. All images were retrieved from Google Images and are owned by the respective website producers. All videos are owned by the NRL, Fox Sports, and/or the Nine Network and are for the purpose of helping us explain our top 10 list and are in no way intending to breach any copyright infringements these organisation may have if any.

[@liam6nugget]

I’m loving these ref videos, absolutely top notch and about as impartial as you can get. Well done and keep up the bloody good work!

[@OutlawLoveSong]

One of the things that I got out of reffing in the local league is an ability to be more impartial.

[@liam6nugget]

@M look mate, soccer is my favourite sport too, but that’s no reason to antagonise people for liking different sports. This is why so many people think soccer fans are arseholes

[@burrfoottopknot]

I reckon you should get off the hong kongs mate, video refs are the laughing stock of the game.. But hey if you are betting money on the game it seems all good right because it is a video ref.. *Sigh*

[@spade6240]

Im a qld diehard but Fergusons pass was backwards imo. That was a painful night

[@HF-dv5vv]

It was definitely forward and one of several rubbish calls that carried nsw home.

[@ilmeni541]

10. Try (disagree with the refs). Lockyer may not have had complete control but there was downward pressure when the ball hit the ground. 9. No Try (disagree with the refs). Hard to tell but it looks to me like Slater got a hand to it. 8. Try (agree with refs). Same as Lockyer in that there was downward pressure when the ball hit the ground. 7. No Try (disagree with refs). Can't tell whether or not Beau Scott was impeded, but according to the rules this shouldn't be a try. 6. No Try (agree with refs). First one was fine but I reckon Hayne just touched the line with the second one. 5. Knock on (disagree with refs). Can't call no try for something that happened earlier in the tackle count though. 4. Try (agree with refs). Ferguson's pass was backwards out of the hands. 3. Try (disagree with refs). Grothe easily got the ball away in time. 2. No Try (disagree with refs). Ball touched Hodgson's arm/shoulder and he knocks it on. 1. No Try (disagree with refs). Tough one but I reckon Farah's boot is allowed to be there. It doesn't change direction in response to Inglis gathering the ball.

[@ilmeni541]

​@Qincent Rusca Yeah I agree, I dunno how you could account for something like that in the rules, but it just feels wrong to reward something that was so clearly a mistake. As you say, Slater was trying to catch the ball, not knee it. So why should he get a try assist for screwing up?

[@kimmenzies3204]

@@ilmeni541 by the law book it was deemed as a kick. A kick is defined in the law book by the ball coming into contact with any part of the leg (except the heel) from knee to toe inclusive.

[@daveross1638]

his foot isnt allowed to be there you have to have a hand on the player to use your foot many tries like this were disallowed around the same time

[@jack81279]

But what about the fastest man on the planet?

[@savenacaariavatayato5246]

should be a penalty try😊😊

[@metalhead8944]

Pure fucking gold

[@HF-dv5vv]

No way in the world could you award a penalty try just because the guy has a reputation for being fast. He was 10m behind and the guy he would’ve supposedly beaten for the ball was already on it.

[@travishillier4246]

Fantastic video, commentary was amazing with a really good list, backed up with great video!

[@ytluxid3549]

Mate this was rly a good vid and I enjoyed it keep up the content

[@boganbob2708]

I'm from Townsville but laugh at any game with Barry Gomersall as reff. He deserves his place in the QLD Hall of Fame.

[@chris123-r7c]

@M fuckoff troll. No one cares. This is a rugby league page

[@chris123-r7c]

Loved his reply to a nsw journo. You’ve reffed 9 games and nsw have only won 2 of them. What you got to say about that? His reply is gold. I’m allowed 2 bad games aren’t I 😂😂😂

[@Jo3yy12]

It’s laughable that anyone thinks the Ferguson pass in 2019 to Tedesco was forward. Shouldn’t be in this list at all. It was a great moment in rugby league, don’t know why people are trying to discredit it. Well I do know, salty Queenslanders that’s why.

[@paulieplayspoorly]

Is there any other kind?

[@Asylumfox]

Fergusons foot was on the line before that pass was made in 2019 and the officials said that the linesman missed it

[@Asylumfox]

@epicmcio_ good one I'm a Queenslander and NRL needs to change that a forward pass can be used in the bunker. Let's see how far storm goes without the forward pass tries

[@Asylumfox]

@epicmcio_ they do a lot

[@volkbeathollowaydealwithit2714]

@@Asylumfox stfu get your tissues, those storms players you hate just won you the orgin in 2020👉👌

[@helpstopanimalabuse8153]

This one of the best channels on KZbin. Your videos are consistently great entertainment & informative & you remain impartial. I can only begin to imagine how much time is spent producing these videos. Awsome work & keep the videos coming. No one gets 18k+ subscribers by chance.

[@CoralViper4687]

Look I’m a NSW fan but Darren Lockyer grounded the ball

[@tommyoneil6977]

I agree Also I’m a NSW fan as well

[@HF-dv5vv]

One angle you can see his hand is on the ball and there’s downward pressure, then the ref goes the other angle that’s inconclusive and chooses that one because it’s more convenient.

[@nicktroisi6347]

@@HF-dv5vv the end of the day I’m a QLD supporter and back then there wasn’t as many bullshit rules as there is now. Imo it was a try but yeah if the ref saw it from a different angle then he may have been right. Darren Lockyer is a sportsman at heart and while it may have been frustrating for him but he respects the game and to be fair qld won the shield so it probably didn’t matter 😂😂😂

[@bsj2084]

Another great video keep up the amazing work

[@kaisahfx1246]

you should do shocking call that go against the Warriors you'd have enough for hours and hours of content

[@milfermz4091]

im a qld supporter 2002 - no try 2005 - try 2009 - no try 2012 - try 2009 - try 2000 - debatable - depends on the refs (id say slightly back) 2019 - not forward, he caught it behind. 1985 - clearly not out 2006 - knock on/no try 2012 - im really not sure, but im pretty sure nsw’s leg made him lose it - try

[@TiaPetaia]

Most underrated Channel. Love your content. From Melbourne 💯

[@sambutler8328]

NSW supporter... my decisions.- 10- TRY.. i think it was a try( as much as it looked like there was seperation, there wasnt. it looks bad but i didnt see the ball move away) 9- TRY..under the rules, its a try, i dont think it hit his hands, BUT, imo, rules should be that if he has intent on catching, it should be benefit of the doubt that its a knock on. 8- TRY and Penalty TRY. - regardless of outcome, it should be a penalty try for the kick..... 7- NO TRY- sheppard. 6- NO TRY- the 2nd camera shows his still touched the line. 5- NO TRY. knocks on. 4- TRY...obvious 3- TRY..obvious 2- NO TRY-obvious 1- NO TRY- Lost it COLD! even though it looks like Farah was going to kick greg, he didnt, if he made contact then penalty try.

[@Ragamaru25]

FANTASTIC video mate 👏 this is the content we need 🙏

[@zacharymiller7763]

Great list!!! 2019 was completely fair game. Tedesco behind Fergie when the ball left his hands. Tedesco catches the ball with his hands stretched behind him whilst being flat to Fergie. Just a dodgy camera angle. Great list otherwise. The Inglis try still hurts.

[@zacco6398]

What about when lockyer chipped for slater and slater was offside and scored?

[@CR-qz8zk]

rabs: Slater picks it up, was he onside?!?! me: no way video ref: benefit of the doubt.

[@jettm23]

He was inline

[@pngforrealz8864]

Im a simple man....when a see a video from you guys I click

[@txddyfarquh69]

Can someone etch the 2020 GF match between Panthers & Storm ref calls into here please?.. 👀🤣😅🤣😅🤣😅✌🏽

[@stormlova]

Agreed, the Panthers got some dodgy decisions there.

[@kers225abk2]

Yeo ran behind the player to kick for a try and it was granted. It went both ways 🤣🤣

[@timhayes3336]

horse shit, the ref served it to the panthers on a silver plater and they still managed to choke.

[@Zmart30]

Lockyer’s chip kick to an offside billy slater should’ve been on there

[@jettm23]

DUDE UR SO BIAS FOR NSW AND ANDREW JOHNS, dude Andrew Johns is one of the best players ever but cmon.

[@Zmart30]

@@jettm23 mate what are you on about? This comment has nothing to do with Andrew Johns lmao. Just saying this moment should’ve been included

[@jettm23]

@@Zmart30 I see u commenting about him everywhere

[@Zmart30]

@@jettm23 yeah? And this isn’t about him.

[@mattgillet6917]

@@Zmart30 your bias as fuck bro. Just pack up and move.

[@NuuKola]

1. Try 2. Hits forearm 3. No Try. Cold drop 4. No try. Impedes defence 5. No try. Heel out on cam 6. Try. Always play to the whistle. 7. Easy try. 8. Try. With no video ref it’s easy to understand 9. No try. 100% no try and knocked on 10. 100% no try. Clear as day knock on

[@trouttmanvideos1325]

Haynes heel was in the air. Look how he puts pressure on the front of the foot.

[@Foralltosee1623]

2000 for Queensland even Bill says yes he fucked up and that was a knock on.

[@philipgreenaway5631]

Willie Carne in 1993 caught a cross field kick from Allan Langer and scored but at full speed looked like he was offside replays showed he was onside. Two decisions in the second game of 1990 in Melbourne. A try to Bob Lindner was disallowed after a deft pass from Meninga was ruled forward but was not. At the end of that game QLD were penalised when Lazarus had the ball stolen by Langer but the referee ruled penalty as he said he’d called held three times. Lazarus was looking to play on. Why wasn’t he penalised? Three controversial calls there. I’m

[@daveross1638]

yeah was first time really saw the cross field kick like that

[@frieza5993]

NSW 2005 I get saying it came from his knee to his hand but it definitely came off the knee first.

[@HF-dv5vv]

Most of these calls that apparently favoured Qld are blatant reaches. There was never any question that ball came off Slater’s knee. There was no impeding of any nsw player in the lead up to Hodges try, if Farah had played till the whistle he could’ve made an effort to stop it. Hayne clearly put his foot out twice and the last one, Farah blatantly kicks at the ball and is regathered by Inglis to score. No idea how you could possibly consider that the most controversial call in origin when it’s pretty textbook. The only one that you could reasonably say stitched up nsw was the call on the player being in touch, nsw still won that series and if there had been video ref it would’ve been easily overturned. It’s interesting but not surprising trend though, because all these calls that apparently favoured the maroons are are debatable/not controversial at all but each of these terrible decisions that favoured nsw defied all logic and are totally indefensible. You could’ve done a list of 10 times Qld got stitched up just from the 2018/19 series on their own.

[@TheShoalguy]

10. Downward pressure. 9. Defintely touched the hand. 8. No downward pressure but hand still on the ball. 7. Shephard every day. 6. Foot in touch on the 2nd one. 5. Knock on (but sucked in Tallis well deserved) 4. Hands definitely backwards but that rule needs changing. 3. Still in play no doubt there. 2. Hard to say definitely a 50/50 call 1. Ridiculous call

[@christsoulja4353]

How was no.1 ridiculous, inglis regathers and scores simple

[@tiotiwilliams8311]

@@christsoulja4353he losses control and I’m a Queenslander

[@staus949]

I will never accept the momentum clause, when you pass a ball behind a line and it is caught on the other side of the line it is forward, they used to tell you just get a little deeper and be aware of the strong breeze at your back, but as the rule stands it was fair.

[@andrewross3009]

What’s the difference between Robbie Farah playing at the ball with his foot and Api Koroisau playing at the ball with his hand as we saw in the 2020 grand final? Both instances resulted in a green light which in my opinion is the correct call and within the rules so I don’t actually think #1 on this video is controversial at all

[@andrewross3009]

@Metro nah, Farah played at the ball, same as Api

[@OutlawLoveSong]

I don't see why number 1 is so controversial. You can't use your foot to stop the ball being grounded (ask Tyrone May). Farrah kicked the ball out of Inglis's grasp, it hits him but he does not play at the ball. I've always thought of it as being almost like a charge down.

[@paulieplayspoorly]

Tyrone May? Ask Billy Slater, who made a career of kicking blokes in the head until the rule was changed to stop him.

[@kalebnolan8343]

Bit rich ol’ peptide Gallen talking about things being ridiculous and out of control

[@OtherworldJudge89]

Those last two are absolute howlers lol

[@burrfoottopknot]

Benefit of the doubt, this is what caused the game to turn to the rubbish video ref we have today, slowing the game down and not allowing fans to celebrate

[@AJWRAJWR]

Thaiday's no-try from game 2, 2014 comes to mind. It was a turning point in the series that helped to end our 8 year streak.

[@simonmiller9854]

Queensland have had far more 50/50 calls , slater’s offside try was a prime example of Queensland bias

[@DownUnderThunder]

Theres needs to be lawsuits when decisons happen they could cost players and coaches there jobs

[@raptrorex9044]

Fergusson let go of the ball on the twenty and Teddy caught it 5 metres after the 20 ;-;

[@kdalymc]

And? Not how forward passes work

[@raptrorex9044]

@@kdalymc the ball went forward. What do you mean that's not how forward passes work ;-;

[@kdalymc]

@@raptrorex9044 it's not how forward passes work. Ever threw an apple out a car window?

[@raptrorex9044]

@@kdalymcif u throw it forwards then it will go forward, if u throw it backwards it will go backwards, if u throw it flat, it still goes backwards

[@kdalymc]

@@raptrorex9044 your wrong.

[@KR7PT]

10. No try (correct). he doesn't take clean possession, and have control of the ball for a grounding. 9. No try (incorrect) as his finger did graze that ball after contacting his knee. 8. No try (incorrect) as he lost the ball before grounding it, although that's a sin bin for Thurston. 7. No try (incorrect) because the defence is impeded, ignoring the obvious shephard. 6. On field decision (incorrect), too close to call based off the 3rd angle shown. 5. No Try (incorrect) clearly a knock on, send off is still justified as you can't dissent a referee like that. 4. Try (correct) as the ball leaves the hands backwards, it only seemed to be forward as Ferguson was stopped dead rather than continued running. Not only this, Tedesco was behind Ferguson as the pass was thrown, and he still needed to stop and reach backwards. 3. Can't call it a try or no try as there was no actual grounding but he would've gone onto score had the touch judge not incorrectly put his flag up. 2. No try (incorrect) clearly a knock on. 1. Try (correct) as you cannot use a foot to stop a try unless accidental. It's a penalty try, potentially 8 pointer, and a sin bin. Subjective of course, people will disagree, but from a background of referees with the CBDRLRA I believe these explanations to be correct. Notice that 7/10 instances are the bunker getting it wrong, sometimes blatantly, and giving away games to one side. The bunker needs a serious re-work.

[@iajanus]

How could it be both a penalty try and a (possible) 8 point try? The two are mutually exclusive.

[@ryansymons8915]

the dynasty was built on terrible calls. Not only do QLD get a crazy home ground advantage at home, they often get the advantage when playing in NSW

[@HF-dv5vv]

Couldn’t think of a comment that could possibly be more wrong than this one

[@andyhayward358]

Well Inglis dropped it clean, Farah wasn't kicking at it or anything but Inglis is a protected species so they took his side

[@staus949]

The only thing I will argue there is look at Farrah's foot position, he pulls his toes back to try to get the ball not just plants his foot on the ground, but that still doesn't change my mind that it should not have been awarded and I am a Qlder. If the video ref thought it was kicked out then it should have been a penalty try, but that is not what was awarded so bad luck for the Blues.

[@Aaron-fj1hl]

Benefit of the doubt is the laziest cop out for an excuse. Good to see that happens less now

[@Velocity608]

9:18 "However NSW fans will claim that Robbie Farah was simply making a tackle, and that Inglis lost control of the ball." Well I go for NSW and I think that's clearly kicked out by Robbie Farah and I think it's fair Edit: I also think it should be an 8 point try.

[@deadwillytv6528]

yeah i’m a queenslander but that pass from furgison was backwards

[@tomchilli4195]

In my view 5,3,2 were the only blatantly wrong on-field calls. All of the others I could appreciate the decision

[@g1598]

I must say there were some absolute shonky calls during the QLD run with the Inglis try being an absolute joke and the slater hand/knee forward

[@bigblue390]

Hated this clip as it has forced me to agree with paul gallen not amused

[@staus949]

Number 3 was even a NSW touch judge, shows he was truly trying to be impartial, but wrong

[@jacobvozzo2934]

Jarryd Hayne definitely went in for a bit more than a touch

[@jesseyrabjones2088]

Billy slater one would have been ruled as a kick as the ball has to hit from the knee down and the chaser looked onside, hands touching were irrelevant

[@jacobgleggvlogs9059]

Go New South Wales 💙💙

[@MungasaurusBravo69420]

That Inglis "try ' was a godamn abortion of a call, and top it off in game 3 hodges shepard try given, i dont like to blame the refs for the entire qld dominance as most of the times qld were just too good but jeez nsw got shafted hardcore with no lube by the refs in 2012

[@BrodieD]

I thought it was only a knock on if it came off the arm. It appears the one that got hodgson was all chest. Could be wrong

[@lachlanneale5222]

Not sure how people think Thurston was good he was a dirty player and should never get anywhere near immortality. It’s gross watching his highlights as they are all dirty tackles

[@christophergrieshaber4204]

What about Chris closes try in the 1981 state of origin

[@markmoffat597]

I’m NSW through and through, but how on earth did the video ref award Brett Hodgson’s try? It’s blatant.

[@sketch3744]

I remember crying and destroying my room when that try was awarded xD I'd still never seen QLD win an origin series at that point.

[@brucemanKBW]

That Hodges try is a blatant shepherd all day, every day.

[@deadwillytv6528]

that 2009 game nsw knocked it on twice

[@Thylilchan]

if farrah kicked it, it wouldve went forwards not backwards

[@susanblack6764]

Clear knock on

[@skippyrx21]

the last one was not as bad as the knock on . even strlo and gus called if disgraceful. you got your rating wrong

[@PranxisDrunk]

The slater one isn’t controversial at all didn’t come off the foot so didn’t matter

[@nickvizer7836]

brah the hodgeson try was horrendous. Way worse than the Inglis mate

[@heyheyhey0h]

Nope Jarryd Hayne clearly steps on the line

[@JakeJetBootz]

all was the correct call except the top 6 i guess why the bottom 4 was the botton 4 😂

[@abdulzahab903]

Hayne didn’t go into touch, that was a try

[@awesomecontentfun1584]

This guy was keep on showing the maroons if he goes for them boooooooooo up the blues

[@michaelfalkner1186]

10) Was there ever an explanation? It clearly looks like downward pressure is applied, and if that's the standard, that's a try! 9) It's one of those "He did WHAT?" plays -- the ball can't be two inches from the hand and a knock-on -- but the call is correct unless you saw something I and the TMO did not! 8) Yeah, Benefit of the Doubt is probably the right call -- the TMO had better have had a better angle than what this video got... Even if he loses it, does it go forward for a knock-on -- and then you have the possibility of a foul to prevent a try. TMO and the ref should also have consulted for 10 in the bin as well as the report and a possible 8-pointer. 7) This is similar to an illegal play in American football -- the "pick play". I'm hedging No Try on that one because of the impeding. 6) I think they got that one right -- that last questionable step, he did not keep the heel in the air, and it looked like it hit the touch line. 5) Tallis should've been banned far longer than he was. You don't get sent off in an Origin match -- it never happens, even when justified. And to bring the entire series into disrepute as he did... 4) The only thing I can think of is that it hit a hand in flight. Otherwise, that pass was three meters forward. 3) That's a T-R-Y in my book. He gets an extra step in after throwing the pass. 2) When does the knock on occur, by rule? When the ball touches the ground or can it be called completely in the air -- because the ball does hit his thigh, and that probably was the basis for the call , correct or otherwise. 1) If that's a try, it's a penalty try for the leg. That's how "bad" that call was. You award the try, you kick it from the center at that point.

[@EARDistortion]

5,4,3 all tries, the others clear no tries.

[@pngnow3020]

Referee system has killed the game

[@jeoffrehsnipes7720]

Last guy lost it wow payed refs

[@crustywombat9577]

100th like 😁

[@christsoulja4353]

Inglis was a try, Farah kicks for the ball thus playing on the ball, inglis then regathers and scores, simple. It would be a knock on if Farah didn't intentionally kick the ball, sorta like a one on one strip but the ball regathered, the ruling basically is Farah played at the ball.

[@richardsefton2631]

Inglis was a penalty try

[@crispchaos4416]

Knock on

[@cracc8361]

I got mad with a lot of the messed up calls

[@chiddiru6114]

Ferguson pass's ball 1.5m behind the line, tedesco catches in 2m in front... im sorry but its forward everyday xD

[@sd097]

Inglis and hodges were no way trys at all.....but if they came back no try they would most likely play the race card

[@ejsmith9194]

I think you're reading into things a little much.. have a nap

[@sd097]

@@ejsmith9194 you kidding me right ??? Ado carr litrell Mitchell gett off by playing the race card....Nathan clearly suspended

[@sd097]

@@ejsmith9194 disallowed try..... .play the race card.... get in trouble.....play the race card

[@ejsmith9194]

@@sd097 Addo Carr and Mitchell used a crappy excuse with the race thing.. fair point. But not everything that happens now will be seen a race related unless it is. A try is never gonna be criticized for racism come on mate. Also Cleary lied after initially being caught, saying that the girls were only there waiting for a taxi.. and then those tik toks popped up that he had spent more time with them. He got in more trouble because hid the truth.

[@sd097]

@@ejsmith9194 blah blah blah but they can fire guns on a paddock with over 10 people and say its a cultural thing????? NO TRY..........play the race card

[@christsoulja4353]

People who think the Inglis try wasn't a try don't know the rules of the game