News 2026 robert toia disruptor no try greg alexander comments trent robinson michael cheika reaction sydney roosters cronulla sharks 20260411 p5zn4n.html – Breaking News & Latest Updates 2026
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This was published 6 months ago

'They've overcompensated': Trent Robinson's plea to NRL as controversial rule 'goes too far'

Lachlan Harper and Sam Worthington

Updated . First published

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The controversial disruptor rule has reared its head again after a try to Robert Toia was ruled out during the Roosters and Sharks clash in Perth.

Late in the second half, a kick was dropped by Sam Stonestreet after a contest with Toia. It looked like the Sharks' lead had been trimmed to 16-10 before the Bunker intervened and ruled it no try.

The Bunker's reasoning was that Toia had made contact with Stonestreet before the ball came down. Boos sounded out across Optus Stadium while Roosters brains trust Trent Robinson and Michael Cheika looked on in shock.

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Captain James Tedesco disputed the call, explaining how the process had been slowed down to the millisecond.

"A fingertip touch, and still debatable if the ball was in a catching position," Greg Alexander said on Fox League.

The decision created a major swing with the Sharks scoring through Tom Hazelton two sets later.

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Rob Toia was ruled to have disrupted Sam Stonestreet. Fox League

The disruptor call didn't cost the Roosters victory though, with the final score 34-22. In the aftermath, Alexander revisited the disruptor call and referenced the Gehamat Shibasaki decision from Friday night.

"We saw some outrageous things with the disruptor last night and we've just seen another one," he said.

Robinson believes that the NRL's interpretation of the rule has "gone too far."

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Roosters coach Trent Robinson.

Roosters coach Trent Robinson. Getty

"Choosing my words carefully on that," Robinson said.

"The direction that they (were) heading was right. There was too much disturbing of fullbacks, there's people that weren't competing, (but) that's gone too far.

"That was a clear example of two guys in a contest. Both guys looking at the ball. I mean, that's overcompensation. If someone tries to defend that, then we're heading in the wrong direction. I think that's the most extreme.

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"I know there was a bit last night in the Brisbane game, but I don't think anybody can argue that, that was a disrupter.

"That wasn't the point of the rule. They've overcompensated. Hopefully there's a clear statement within a couple of days saying that we went to far, we need to get it right.

"I think everyone will go, yeah cool, I can understand that."

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Cooper Cronk poses with the 2013 Dally M Medal.

Cooper Cronk poses with the 2013 Dally M Medal. Getty

At half-time, Roosters premiership-winner Cooper Cronk was critical of the Bunker.

"I didn't like this call at all. I understand there's a lot of conjecture around the disruptor call, I understand when someone physically knocks the catcher out and doesn't have eyes for the football but this is the NRL. This is the best rugby league players on the planet and we're rewarding mediocrity when someone puts a fingertip (on a catcher).

"Rob Toia barely touches Stonestreet there and we're saying that disrupts an elite player catching the ball. It's part of an outside back's job to catch. I don't like that one ... that is not a disruptor." - with Sam Worthington

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