'You can't get that wrong': Trent Robinson takes aim at Ashley Klein after costly forward pass call

Roosters coach Trent Robinson has taken aim at referee Ashley Klein after a controversial forward pass call cost his side a certain try on Friday night.

Despite being blown off the park in the opening half, the wounded Chooks bounced back after the break to set up an enticing final period against the Panthers.

However, one crucial moment went begging for Robinson's side.

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In the 63rd minute, some second-phase play from inside their half allowed the Roosters to make their way up the field, before Daniel Tupou linked up with James Tedesco and the fullback passed it back inside to Joseph Suaalii, who looked destined to score.

The pass from Tupou to Tedesco was ruled forward by Klein - who was in line with the play - but the replays certainly weren't kind to the official.

Speaking at his post-match press conference, Robinson was quizzed about the incident, which would have narrowed Penrith's lead to just eight points.

"No I didn't think it was forward and I don't think anybody thought it was forward except for the ref," he said.

"Even looking at the replays and the angle of the pass - that's a big call at that moment.

"You can't get that wrong."

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Tedesco echoed the sentiments of his coach and acknowledged the impact it had on the end result, which saw Penrith book a spot in the prelim final.

"I didn't think it was forward," the captain said.

"We could have scored off the back of it and it would have been a different contest"

While the decision didn't overshadow a fantastic night at BlueBet Stadium, it's easy to see the frustrations held by both Robinson and Tedesco.

As for their slow start, the three-time premiership winner claimed the Tricolours failed to meet the reigning champs in the middle of the field.

"Obviously the first 20 minutes, we had one or two six-agains and three errors in that period of time. It gave them field position and they executed really well," Robinson said.

"The physicality as well - I feel like our contacts were poor and theirs were good. I thought our bench guys came on and shifted that towards the end of the first half. They definitely set the tone for the second half as well.

"We assessed the first half pretty quickly, but we had to move on. We were pretty clear about how we wanted to come out and play and the belief in trying to knock it off.

"We started that way fairly well. I was disappointed, I felt like we had another try there that should have been a try. It would have been 24-16 and then it starts to get close."

The injury-struck Roosters will take on the winner of Manly and Canterbury next weekend, while the Panthers earn a week off before their prelim final.