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Michael Maguire stunned by 'bizarre' disruptor call that cost Broncos in loss to Cowboys

Lachlan Harper
Lachlan Harper

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Broncos coach Michael Maguire has described it "bizarre" that the Bunker opted to penalise Gehamat Shibasaki for a disruptor in a crucial moment before his side's loss to the Cowboys.

With 16 minutes to go, the Broncos were leading 34-24 after Brendan Piakura's try. However, it was taken off after Shibasaki was ruled to have disrupted Tom Chester who had dropped a kick.

On Nine's commentary, Johnathan Thurston said "it's just a clean drop" while Cameron Smith didn't understand the call either.

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Gehamat Shibasaki's disruptor. Nine

"The argument I would make there is Tom Chester had a clear line of sight of the ball the entire time," he said.

"He's entitled to catch the football and he didn't. I can understand if Shibasaki comes through with his arms raised and he goes through the line of sight of the football. But he doesn't even stop Tom Chester from seeing the ball."

In his post-match press conference, Maguire was bewildered.

"I've got no idea, it's bizarre," he said.

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"As outside backs, we practice to catch the ball, that is part of what you do. What I saw with Gem going up there, he wasn't near the body or near Chester when he was catching it, he was actually further away from him.

"I can't believe that ruling, it's bizarre. But if they're going to go down that path, make sure there's consistency."

Michael Maguire in his press conference. NRL

On Nine's Friday Night Footy, Paul Gallen was equally as surprised.

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"I thought the disruptor call against the Broncos was a very, very poor decision," he said.

"I thought it was a try ... at no time did he get in his line of sight at all, it was a deadset dropped ball from Tom Chester, I don't know how in the world they overturned that.

"It was a dropped ball, I can't believe it was taken off the Broncos. They're the rules we're playing with at the moment, seriously."

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The no try decision wasn't the only call on the field that surprised Maguire.

Just after half-time, Cory Paix had to leave the field for an HIA which was ruled a category one by the independent doctor. His replacement, Blake Mozer, departed 10 minutes later after suffering a suspected fractured jaw trying to tackle Jason Taumololo.

Watch the 2026 NRL season live and free on Nine and 9Now.

Despite dropping to the ground and struggling to get up, Mozer was a category two concussion.

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Maguire was surprised by the rulings, considering Paix believed he was ready to go.

"That in itself is something we'll have to review," he said.

"He's (Paix) in the change room, he ran off and was ready to run back out again. I don't quite understand that one ... talking to Paixy, he can't believe it himself.

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"But on the flip side, Blake's jaw might be broken."

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