Phil Gould slams ‘disgraceful’ bunker call no one asked for, Sua Fa’alogo, try, video،
Phil Gould slammed the bunker after Samoa were denied a brilliant try against Australia.
Australia knocked the Samoans out of the park, leading 22-0 after 15 minutes, almost deciding the match in the first quarter of the match.
Boxing: Tszyu vs Mendoza SUNDAY OCT 15 12pm AEDT | Order now with the Main Event on Kayo Sports
But Samoa performed admirably for the rest of the match, ultimately losing 38-12.
However, it could have been much better after Storm rookie Sua Fa’alogo appeared to have scored the best try of the game.
After a ball was pushed out from behind for some second-phase disorderly play, the ball came out to makeshift five-eighth Stephen Crichton who played the ball back inside to Fa’alogo.
Still 40 yards out, Fa’alogo burst into space before breaking away and scoring what looked to be a brilliant try.
On Fox Sports, Greg Alexander said the try was “incredible.”
But while no one appeared to report any problems in the back game, bunker manager Ashley Klein made herself known when the call was returned.
“This is the funny font,” Gould said.
In what could have been a line ball call, Keenan Palasia dropped the ball, despite facing his own line, with the ball hitting Pat Carrigan’s head.
Gould was furious.
“Take a night off, will you,” he said. “Nobody comes to football to watch that.
“We don’t want to know how good the bunker can be with its x-ray vision.
“It’s shameful, it’s absolutely shameful.
“We don’t watch the game to see how much the bunker can define the stats.
“It’s disappearing into the ether now. It could have been a magical memory in this young man’s career and a wonderful thing for international sport. This would have been on tonight’s news highlights and everywhere. Instead, Bunker takes a magnifying glass and finds a way to kill him.
Fox League’s Andrew Voss said Klein was almost apologetic for enforcing the rules.
Many fans seemed to agree, but many more said it highlighted Fa’alogo’s star power.
Fa’alogo had a strong performance with a team-high 164 yards rushing on 17 carries, along with a line break and assist.
Although the result wasn’t as competitive as many would have hoped from the 2022 World Cup finalists, there were emotional pre-match scenes that show just how important the international game is to rugby league.
As Lapi Marina wonderfully performed the Samoan national anthem Sāmoa Tulaʻi, the pride in representing their ancestors was clear.
As the anthem began, Cowboys second-rower Luciano Leilua was clearly struggling with his emotions, while cameras also found Dolphins forward Connolly Lemuelu, who had tears streaming down his cheeks.
From there, the Samoan team performed a spine-chilling Sivi Tau war dance.