Warrington coach Tony Smith unhappy with referee Ben Thaler after World Club Series defeat
Last Updated: 21/02/15 10:44am
Tony Smith says St George Illawarra winger Eto Nabuli would have been sent off for a swinging arm had the offence occurred in Super League.
I would have liked to have known that it was going to be a bit more relaxed in areas. It would have been nice to have been told rather than find out along the way.
Tony Smith
The Warrington Wolves head coach felt his side's World Club Series clash with the Dragons was refereed more leniently by Ben Thaler.
The referee punished high tackles by Nabuli and Benji Marshall on Kevin Penny and Gareth O'Brien respectively with penalties rather than cards during the NRL club's 18-12 victory at the Halliwell Jones Stadium.
Thaler did not award his first penalty until the 28th minute, while St George Illawarra had to wait until the 71st minute for their first penalty.
"We played a lot of different rules," said Smith. "In Super League there would have been a red card and a lot more penalties.
"Our man in the middle wanted to not give a penalty in the game but he was forced into it in the latter stages.
"I would have liked to have known that it was going to be a bit more relaxed in areas. It would have been nice to have been told rather than find out along the way.
“If that's the way it's going to be, just tell us."
Sportsmanship
Smith praised Penny, who was switched to full-back in the absence of the injured Stefan Ratchford, for his sportsmanship over the Nabuli tackle.
"I thought it was a shocker but it was class from Kevin Penny to jump up straight away," said Smith. "He could have laid there and got his opposing player sent off.
"It was a great bit of sportsmanship from Kevin, who was outstanding. He really put his body on the line, along with super Benny Westwood."
Warrington were never in front after conceding an early try to Welsh international Tyson Frizell but fought back to 12-12 thanks to efforts from O'Brien and Ryan Atkins before conceding the all-important score to full-back Josh Dugan after 62 minutes.
"It was the right result," added Smith. "They deserved to win. There wasn't much between us. We were a bit sloppy in some aspects of our game.
"We had some absolutely outstanding performers and we saw some down the other end. We just didn't quite get it altogether but credit to St George - they played their style and I think they made one mistake in the first half.
"I thought physically we weren't great in that first half and, although we aimed up in the second half we didn't have the patience to build a game."