The NRL has defended the bizarre golden point ruling that left players, commentators and fans stunned after the Parramatta Eels defeated the North Queensland Cowboys 33-30 in one of the strangest finishes seen in rugby league history.
Chaos erupted in Townsville on Friday night when Eels captain Mitchell Moses nailed a field goal in extra time to break the deadlock and seemingly win the game.
But instead of blowing full-time immediately, referee Liam Kennedy halted celebrations after bunker officials ruled Cowboys fullback Scott Drinkwater had illegally contacted Moses’ kicking leg.
The Eels were then awarded a penalty goal attempt despite already leading 31-30 from the field goal.
The extraordinary sequence resulted in Ronald Volkman calmly kicking the penalty goal from directly in front, extending the final margin to 33-30 – the first three-point golden point victory in Australian rugby league history.
It also marked the first 33-30 scoreline recorded in the 118-year history of professional rugby league in Australia.
Mitchell Moses slotted the winning field goal against the Cowboys, but was then asked to kick a penalty goal after the final whistle
Two NRL rules clashed in bizarre circumstances, the Golden Point rules and the penalty on a drop goal attempt rule
Even Moses appeared confused by what was happening.
‘We don’t want it,’ Moses told the referee after the penalty was awarded.
‘It’s not a tap, you have to kick the goal,’ Kennedy replied.
‘But I kicked the field goal,’ Moses argued.
‘That’s the rules of the game, mate. It’s an extra two points,’ the referee responded.
The unprecedented moment immediately sparked widespread debate, with many questioning why the match had not ended the instant Moses’ field goal sailed through.
Speaking after the match, NRL head of football Graham Annesley backed the officials and insisted the ruling was correct under the current laws.
‘The penalty after the field-goal was the correct decision,’ Annesley said.
‘The fouled team is entitled to the additional penalty given there had been an act of foul play.
‘It’s important to note had the kick missed or hit the upright the game would have been over. The laws specifically say play does not continue after the kick.’
The wording of the NRL rules became the focus of intense scrutiny after the match.
One section states that golden point ends as soon as a team breaks the deadlock.
But another specific law covering successful drop goals says: ‘If the attempt at drop goal is successful, a kick at goal must be taken from the penalty kick and play restarted from the centre of the halfway line, irrespective of the outcome of that kick.’
That wording means even if Volkman had struck the posts with the penalty attempt, the ball would not have remained live.
Commentators on Channel Nine openly questioned the logic of the situation as it unfolded live on air.
‘I thought once a point is scored the game is over,’ Billy Slater said.
The end result marred the milestone match for Cowboys forward Jason Taumalolo, who became the most capped North Queensland player in history
Scott Drinkwater was put on report for making contact with the leg of Mitchell Moses during his drop goal shot, but will be free to play the Roosters next round
Phil Gould was even more direct.
‘It should be over. The game should end with the penalty. We don’t need this,’ he said.
‘The game’s over. There was absolutely no reason for the penalty goal.’
The incident also raised bizarre hypothetical scenarios that had many fans scratching their heads online.
Some questioned what would happen if a penalty goal missed and rebounded into play, while others wondered whether a team could technically receive an eight-point try in golden point under similar circumstances.
‘So now that the #NRL have opened this can of worms, is it theoretically possible for a team to win golden point by 6 or 8 points, too?’ one fan asked.
Another posted: ‘The referee has erred with the penalty after the field goal. The game was over’.
‘Surely, in Golden Point, that post successful field goal penalty should be optional for the winning team,’ added another.
The confusion was heightened by the fact players from both teams appeared ready to leave the field after Moses’ kick before being told the game was continuing.
The NRL is now expected to come under pressure to clarify or potentially amend the wording surrounding golden point foul play incidents, with many believing the match should automatically end once the winning point is scored.
Drinkwater will be free to play against the Sydney Roosters this week after being offered a $1000 fine by the NRL Match Review Committee.
