Spot the difference: Sharks robbed as ref rules Benji-clone pass illegal

Spot the difference – Benji Marshall on Thursday night against Chad Townsend on Friday night.

Both playmakers threw a stunning cut-out ball which bamboozled the defence and found the winger in open space, who caught the ball crossed the tryline.

But Marshall’s peach gave South Sydney four points while Townsend’s equally impressive pass was ruled forward, and Cronulla was left with no reward.

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Veteran pivot Marshall was the star of the show on Thursday as his Rabbitohs trounced Canberra in the nation’s capital. He was rightly praised for the stunning catch-and-pass that set up Alex Johnston.

In the sixth minute of Friday’s game at AAMI Park, with the score locked at nil-all, the underdog Sharks looked to have snatched an early lead over mighty Melbourne.

Townsend threw a perfect long ball which found Connor Tracey on the flank and he raced to the line, but the referees took the chocolates off them for their efforts.

The passes were almost identical and both deserved the same result.

Fox League commentator Warren Smith noted the Sharks were dudded by the referee’s whistle.

Retired NRL champion Jamie Soward was furious.

“FORWARD PASS?,” tweeted Soward.

“Are you kidding me… we need to be better there. That’s a great pass and great play.

“Can’t believe that.”

Forward passes can’t be ruled on by the video referee, and so also can’t be challenged by a team on the field.

FORWARD PASS?

Are you kidding me….. we need to be better there. That’s a great pass and great play. Can’t believe that.

Originally published asSharks robbed as Benji-clone pass called back

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