I’ve just watched this game and all I can say is what an absolute embarrassment of refereeing. To send Wardles attempt up as a try when he can’t see a dam thing and Penriths try was far closer and to send up as no try, well absolute crap. Wigan were always going to win this. An absolute fares and joke.

Lying is a sin’: Penrith star’s dig at Wigan rival over controversial try

excerpt Sydney news view on pies try

"On-field calls proved decisive
The notion of referees being given the option to send a decision upstairs to the video referee with a try or no try decision has always seemed contentious. After all, if a referee isn’t sure, should he be allowed to offer an opinion to those with all the angles?

There’s no guessing in the NRL in that sense – and that is exactly what it is, given that the whole point of the referee asking for help is because he isn’t sure. And that policy felt decisive on two separate fronts tonight.

May’s dramatic last-ditch effort to score was referred upstairs with a no try call, and in the end, there wasn’t evidence to overturn that suggestion from the on-field officials. But what felt much more significant was the decision to award a try on-field to Jake Wardle as he crossed for what proved to be the match-winning score. Wardle certainly looked short but once again, the on-field opinion felt like it was decisive."

Love Rugby League

Liam Moore has now decided the fate of the World Club Challenge and the League Leaders Shield with controversial decisions. Can I suggest that the newly appointed Phil Bentham makes it a priority to change the on-field ruling, to favour video replay now that all games are televised.

The officiating left a lot to be desired.

The try awarded to Wardle was embarrassing as was the penalty given against a perfectly legitimate Penrith one on one tackle - the ref was struggling with the different rules that they were supposed to be playing to.

It was a shame that a really absorbing and close fought game was determined by the ref's decision to award Wardle's try. Goodness knows what the ref saw about the ball being over the line that no one else did - or any of the camera angles.

I really enjoyed the game, but like many others feel that it is unfortunately tarnished by refereeing decisions. However, I do not think the on field ref, or the video ref are to blame. To use the Wardle try as the example.
Due to the currents rules, (that have been under pressure for change, but have for some unknown reason not been), the on field ref has no choice but to give an on field decision whether he wants to or not. For Wardel’s try, the ball did appear to reach the line at some point, and that could have been the point where the ref got a glimpse of it. I am a little surprised that the video ref did not view the ball as promoted to the line by Wardle (as per a double movement) when he pulled it in towards him, to the line, but it could also be viewed as momentum and the ball carrier pulling the ball towards him to secure it in the mass of bodies, hence a judgement call that he doesn’t know if the on field ref has seen or considered, and no ability to ask him the same, so without 100% clear evidence, and no knowledge of what exactly has led the on field ref to make his call of “try”, go with the on field decision.
For me the problem is not the refs, it’s the fact that the on field ref must make a decision, and the video ref cannot consult with him on why he gave it as such, and must then also have 100% clear evidence to overrule it. Until that has changed, the same problems will continue to affect the game and frustrate the fans.