The ARL Commission is awaiting a full report on the controversial North Queensland versus Wests Tigers penalty call with the door still open for the match’s result to be overturned.
The report is set to delve deeper into the bunker’s decision to award the Cowboys a last-second penalty which won the side the game as Valentine Holmes converted, with the call since being proven to be wrong.
With the Tigers still pressuring the competition for the 27-26 result to be voided, The Daily Telegraph’s David Riccio says a call will be made once every detail has been analysed.
“It’s interesting because it’s the ARL Commission who has asked for a full enquiry into what unfolded last Sunday,” Riccio said on SEN 1170 Breakfast.
“It’s the Commission who has asked for a full report from Graham Annesley, that’s any audio transcripts, audio itself and how this fiasco unfolded.
“The Tigers also want a copy of that investigation, they want to see how it was said and how it unfolded.
“The Tigers still think they have firm grounds here for the result to be annulled.”
On top of the contentious decision to award a penalty, Riccio says the Tigers are also arguing that the bunker failed to ignore other indiscretions that would’ve seen the decision go the other way.
“They’re now looking at several indiscretions,” Riccio said.
“That’s including Valentine Holmes standing offside at the kick-off, when the captain’s challenge was applied, why didn’t the video bunker have a look that the Cowboys players were onside at the kick-off?
“Video showed that Valentine Holmes was offside.”
While Riccio doesn’t expect the result to change, he reiterated that the Tigers won’t give up hopes until a final decision is handed down.
“I think overturning the result will be a longshot,” Riccio said.
“But still speaking to the Tigers yesterday, they’re not giving up on this.
“Speaking to Peter V’Landys, he thinks the result that was made on the field should stay.
“But I can’t stress again, the Tigers aren’t giving up on this as it’s Wednesday and the Tigers are still pressuring the NRL to find out more about how this result was determined.”
It’s believed the Tigers will decide whether or not to pursue a legal challenge to be awarded the premiership points once the report is received.