Chris Chester bemoans video referee calls after loss to Wigan Warriors

Wakefield coach Chris Chester admits Wigan deserved their win - but questioned some of the video referee calls which went against his side.
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The score was level 12-12 by the hour-mark when Sam Powell darted over. It was sent up as a 'try' by James Child and it was awarded by the video official - and an effort by Bill Tupou was later ruled out after being sent up as 'no try'.

"There were some really big turning points and when your luck isn't with you, you tend not to get 50/50 calls," said Chester after his side's 28-16 loss.

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"I've had a look at the Powell try, which was a big turning point, and there was separation on the ball. If it goes up as a 'no try', it would be given 'no try'."

Action from Wigan's game against WakefieldAction from Wigan's game against Wakefield
Action from Wigan's game against Wakefield

He questioned whether a better video refereeing system could be introduced, rather than a referee having to refer to the video referee with a 'try' or 'no try' call.

"I think they make it up, they genuinely don't know, and they're relying on the video ref to make a call," he said.

"If Sam Powell goes up 'no try', it's a no try. There's got to be an easier solution to come up with. Whether you go to the rugby union model of 'Is there any reason I can't give this try?'

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"If Tupou goes up as a try, potentially it's given as a try.

"I don't know what the answer is to be honest, I just felt we don't get those kind of calls.

"I thought Wigan were really good. The way they approached the second-half, they put us under a lot of pressure and deserved the win. There were some key parts, we were held up three times and you have to credit the Wigan defence as well."

Meanwhile, Chester praised forward Matty Ashurst for playing after being recalled from paternity leave to solve a player-shortage.

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Ashurst, interestingly, was one of four former pupils of Orrell St Peter's RC High along with Wigan trio Jake Bibby, Ollie Partington and Joe Shorrocks.

"He came in and did a 30 minute session with us, he'd been stood down by Track and Trace before his wife had the baby Monday or Tuesday," said Chester. "I called him on Wednesday and told him he wouldn't be playing - and phoned him a couple of hours later when we had to stand down some important players."