'Wrong decision': Titans coach Des Hasler calls out Bunker after controversial Sam Verrills no-try
Gold Coast Titans coach Des Hasler has been left unhappy over a controversial Bunker call after his side continued its patchy form in a loss to Melbourne.
During the second half with the Titans trailing 22-10, Verrills went from dummy-half to score.
Verrills' effort came after Tino Fa'asuamaleaui was brought down close to the line with Storm defenders Trent Loiero and Shawn Blore both laying in the ruck.
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The Titans hooker then scooped up the ball as Ryan Papenhuyzen and Nelson Asofa-Solomona disputed the call.
Des Hasler reacts after Sam Verrills' no-try. Fox League/NRL
"Ryan Papenhuyzen blowing up deluxe there," caller Warren Smith said on Fox League.
The referee originally awarded it a try before sending the decision to the Bunker.
Bunker official Kasey Badger ruled Verrills making contact with Fa'asuamaleaui's leg meant Papenhuyzen was obstructed.
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"I think that's hard done by," Michael Ennis said on Fox League.
Post-match, Hasler plainly stated it was "the wrong decision" before revealing he'd had communication with the NRL about the rules around lying in the ruck prior to the game.
"(Tino) played the ball so he was allowed to hold his ground, I was told," he said.
"The ball's laid on the ground, they were lying on the ground, six again, penalty, I don't know ... Papenhuyzen wasn't obstructed and that was the word for word what the NRL set out.
"I will be interested to see what their explanation was. Kasey got it wrong, again."
Hasler did admit his side had itself to blame for its own errors.
Melbourne coach Craig Bellamy said he hadn't looked at the decision slowly but didn't think there was much wrong with the try.
"At the end of the day we've got to trust the referee and the Bunker's decision," he said.