Ansley already through that whole argument out in the press release.Looks like legal action is the only way -- and we could even have a leg to stand on:
After the referee blows the single whistle, 21 seconds pass before Cowboys captain Chad Townsend requests a challenge.
“A time limit of 10 seconds will apply to initiate a challenge from the point that the referee has signalled and verbalised the decision made,” the rules state.
The Tigers will argue a decision had not even been made for Townsend to challenge.
Butler doesn’t ask the bunker for assistance. There is no audio of him communicating with the bunker until they speak to him.
Under the NRL rules, a challenge is only permissible, “in instances where the referee makes a decision that results in the match recommencing with a structured restart”.
The Tigers will argue that wasn’t the case. They will argue that the only stoppage in play that allowed for the challenge was the whistle for the conclusion of the match, therefore the game was over.
The rules state that a structured restart includes the following: scrum, penalty (tap restart, penalty kick into touch, penalty goal attempt), sixth tackle handover, 20m restart, goal-line drop-out, general play handover, 40/20 or 20/40 restart.
We have no legal grounds to an appeal.