By Jonathan B Geddes

WARRINGAH will lodge an official complaint after a controversial refereeing decision at the end of Saturday’s 22-21 win over a gutsy Randwick, which cost the Rats what could prove to be a crucial bonus point.

The dramatic incident, which puzzled both players and fans at Rat Park, occurred in the final minute when Warringah was awarded a penalty.

Rats’ No.10 Byron Smith indicated he would kick to the nearby left touchline, but showed real rugby smarts and initiative by booting the ball to the other side of the field.

Right winger Charlie Tupu was Johnny-on-the-spot to regather the ball in driving rain and grounded it over the Randwick tryline.

Referee Hamish Quigley initially awarded the try, which would have given Warringah a four-try bonus point and extended their lead to 27-21.  

But 30 seconds later, after consultation with touch judge Todd Cummings, Quigley disallowed the try and ordered a scrum with a Randwick feed because Smith had not kicked the ball to the sideline that he had indicated he would.

In another twist, Warringah then received a penalty from the ensuing scrum.

Rats coach Josh Holmes said that the two officials involved admitted they had made the wrong decision after the game.

“We are going to make an official complaint, it was a big blunder,” a frustrated Holmes told Rugby News.

He knows that the move won’t change the outcome and Warringah’s 22-21 win will stand.

“I just think it should be noted … you watch that back, and there was nothing wrong with what Byron did. It happens every weekend in NSW rugby and in Super Rugby. ”

‘SIGNIFICANT RAMIFICATIONS’

RATS’ assistant coach Dan Brown said the touch judge thought a player could not baulk one way and kick the other.

“I’ve never heard that and never seen that in rugby,” the experienced long-time coach said.

“That could have significant ramifications down the track.

“That could be the minor premiership. One point could be a big difference. So they have to get those big calls right.”

The Rats are currently in first spot on 34 points, one ahead of the other unbeaten team Easts, who beat the Two Blues 29-22.   

An hour after the game’s bizarre ending, Tupu’s disallowed try was still the big talking point in the Warringah clubhouse.

GUTSY WICKS

A SPIRITED Randwick really took it to the undefeated Warringah, stepping up in the face of adversity.

“We lost two tightheads (props) in wet-weather rugby,” said coach Shaun Berne. “The option was to go to uncontested (scrums) and down to 14 men.”

Up stood Randwick’s Irish loosehead prop Emmet Burns, who showed a real team-first mindset, opting to move to the other side of the frontrow to keep the scrums competitive.

“I was proud of the effort, the guys ripped in,” Berne said. “But on a wet weather day, that became the difference in the end – the scrum.”

Rival coach Holmes said the Rats were again a bit sluggish in the first half, but finished pretty well.

Once again, heavyweight prop Jaiden Christian stood out after taking the field in the second half, scoring another try.

“He came on and was immense today,” Holmes said.

He also praised the performances of his other fresh reserves- Lebron Naea, Phil Potgieter, Charlie McKill and Ivan Fupuleai.

“All the bench made a really big impact for us,” Holmes said.