Phil Rothfield and Brent Read have engaged in a fiery debate on NRL 360 over the decision to award the Bulldogs a crucial penalty in their thrilling win over the Dragons on Saturday night.<\/p>\n
Bulldogs winger Jacob Kiraz attempted to play the ball, 30 metres out from his own line, after being tackled by Dragons forward Luciano Leilua.<\/p>\n
The ball wasn\u2019t played properly, with the referee originally ruling that Kiraz had just lost control as he was trying to play it.<\/p>\n
FOX LEAGUE, available on Kayo Sports, is the only place to watch every game of every round in the 2025 NRL Telstra Premiership, LIVE with no ad-breaks during play. New to Kayo? Get your first month for just $1. Limited-time offer ><\/a><\/p>\n But the Bulldogs successfully challenged the decision, with the bunker ruling that Leilua had interfered with the ruck.<\/p>\n Trailing 18-16 at the time, with just over five minutes left in the game, the penalty allowed the Bulldogs to kick for touch, and camp down the Dragons\u2019 end.<\/p>\n That led to the matchwinning try at the 77th minute, which was scored by Jethro Rinakama, from a brilliant Lachlan Galvin pass, giving Canterbury a 20-18 win.<\/p>\n The decision left Rothfield and Read at loggerheads on Monday night.<\/p>\n Read believed the decision to award the penalty was the right one.<\/p>\n \u201cCould I also point out, Leilua\u2019s arm is on Jacob Kiraz\u2019s back, which stops him getting to his feet,\u201d Read said.<\/p>\n \u201cNow the NRL has cleared this today. Said this decision is right.\u201d<\/p>\n But Rothfield disagreed, and interjected.<\/p>\n \u201cBut that doesn\u2019t make it right, Ready,\u201d Rothfield said.<\/p>\n Before Read doubled down on his point.<\/p>\n \u201cWell it does, I\u2019m sorry, that does,\u201d Read added.<\/p>\n \u201cBecause they sat there, and they\u2019ve watched this and said, can I finish? <\/p>\n \u201cFlanno talked about him planting the ball. He hasn\u2019t planted the ball because Leilua\u2019s foot\u2019s got in the way.<\/p>\n \u201cSo the ball was never planted. Let\u2019s start by saying that.\u201d<\/p>\n Rothfield interjected again.<\/p>\n \u201cIt was planted. He planted it on his boot,\u201d Rothfield said.<\/p>\n \u201cHe tried to play it too quickly and he stuffed it up.\u201d<\/p>\n Read then explained again why Kiraz hadn\u2019t got to his feet.<\/p>\n \u201cThe second thing is he hasn\u2019t got to his feet because Leilua\u2019s got his arm on his back. That\u2019s why he hasn\u2019t got to his feet,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n Rothfield then pointed out that the NRL also said, what appeared to be a clear knock-on from Jarome Luai in the Tigers\u2019 win over the Titans at Leichhardt Oval, was a 50-50 call.<\/p>\n In Rothfield\u2019s opinion, that meant the NRL\u2019s explanations for decisions made by the match officials were not worth listening to.<\/p>\n Then the discussion came back to the Leilua-Kiraz incident. <\/p>\n \u201cLeilua\u2019s arm was on his back which prevented him getting to his feet,\u201d Read added.<\/p>\n \u201cAnd Leilua\u2019s foot, the ball was never planted on the ground because his foot got in the way.\u201d<\/p>\n But then Rothfield fired another barb at Read.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m sorry, Ready, I\u2019m sorry. The spin doctors have got to you. They have mate, they have,\u201d Rothfield said.<\/p>\n MORE NRL NEWS<\/p>\n TALKING PTS: Glaring misfire in Wayne nightmare; future Blues star emerges<\/a><\/p>\n TEAM TIPS: Roosters\u2019 big blow; Broncos\u2019 boost in top-four race<\/a><\/p>\n