A single referee's reversed signal changed the course of rugby league history
In short: In the 2019 NRL Grand Final, a momentary lapse in officiating created a controversy that still haunts the sport. As the Sydney Roosters moved toward a historic back-to-back premiership, a 'six again' call was retracted, leaving the Canberra Raiders wondering if a single word cost them the title.
The 2019 NRL Grand Final at Sydney's ANZ Stadium was a clash of extremes. The defending premier Sydney Roosters, led by coach Trent Robinson, were attempting to become the first club since the 1993 Brisbane Broncos to win consecutive titles in a unified competition. Facing them were the Canberra Raiders, making their first Grand Final appearance since 1994 under coach Ricky Stuart.
While the Roosters eventually secured a 14–8 victory, the match was defined by officiating chaos. The most infamous moment occurred in the 71st minute when referee Ben Cummins signaled 'six again' after a contested bomb kick, only to reverse the decision to 'fifth tackle' seconds later following consultation with his officials. This confusion directly impacted Raiders player Jack Wighton, who played a safe tackle rather than an attacking option, leading to the set that allowed Latrell Mitchell to set up the winning try for James Tedesco.
The controversy extended beyond the reversal. An early 'mutual interference' ruling involving a Roosters trainer prevented a significant Canberra scoring opportunity, and the sin binning of Roosters veteran Cooper Cronk for a professional foul further unsettled the rhythm. Although the NRL endorsed the referee's right to change the call, analysts pointed to Law 16.9, which suggests such changes should only occur in cases of foul play. Despite the errors, the night was a milestone for Cronk, who retired after his 372nd game, marking his ninth Grand Final appearance.
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Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: 2019 NRL Grand Final
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