‘Utter embarrassment’: NRL world in disbelief

The rugby league community was left fuming after a pair of questionable Bunker decisions thwarted the Newcastle Knights during Thursday evening’s clash with the Brisbane Broncos at McDonald Jones Stadium.

The Broncos claimed a convincing 38-12 victory in Newcastle, but the final margin could have been substantially smaller if not for a couple of baffling calls from the match officials.

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In the 35th minute, scores were tied at 6-6 when Knights debutant Anthony Milford delivered a grubber that was gathered and grounded by centre Dane Gagai.

But video referee Grant Atkins overturned the on-field decision, judging that Gagai had lost his grip on the ball before grounding it on the tryline.

There was undeniably separation between the Queenslander’s right hand and the ball, but many pundits believed he had regained control of the footy as he planted it.

“That’s ridiculous,” former Cronulla hooker Michael Ennis said on Fox League.

“(Gagai) can’t believe it, gee that’s a bad call. I don’t like that one at all.

“We just do everything we can to try and find ways to try and t