Wigan Warriors boss Shaun Wane to seek obstruction rule clarification
Joe Burgess had an opening try against Catalans ruled out by fourth official Phil Bentham, who presumably ruled that a Wigan line runner – a team-mate running a decoy – had prevented the defence from getting across.
Saturday’s decision didn’t prove costly, as Wigan battled from 21-0 down to win 32-23 and maintain the pressure on leaders St Helens.
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Hide AdBut after reviewing the game, Wane says he will contact referees chief Steve Ganson for an explanation.
“I need some clarification from the RFL about exactly what they mean, because that first try of ours, I thought was okay,” he said.
“When a defender moves into an attacker on his inside shoulder, what is there to look at?
“We’re going to get the game done away with if we’re not careful.”
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Hide AdAnother try - scored by Dan Sarginson – was only awarded after a lengthy deliberation from the video referee.
Centre Oliver Gildart believes officials need to wise-up to defending players deliberately turning in to make contact with line-runners to prevent tries from being awarded.
“If you’re beat on the outside, it’s the easy option to take – I could do it every time if I wanted to,” said Gildart.
“A lot of teams seem to do it. Leeds seem to do it a lot.
“I don’t think our first try should have been chalked off because there’s no where else to run.
“If a defending player puts his body in front of yours, you can’t just disappear.
“I don’t know a way around it, but it is frustrating.”