Some questions need answering

A very angry David Gallop, NRL chief executive, was not a happy man last night, threatening to sack officials who blundered during a disastrous weekend of mishaps in Round 2 of the NRL competition.

Three controversial incidents tarnished a weekend of upsets and exciting football with Gallop declaring: "I expect our operations people to review these blunders - they are unacceptable.

"The officials have to shape up or ship out - I don't expect those who were responsible to be around next weekend."

The final straw in a weekend of woe came yesterday at Aussie Stadium when match officials failed to tell the teams to change ends halfway through 10 minutes of extra time in the thriller between Souths and Wests Tigers.

Souths registered their first win since August 9 last year when halfback Willie Peters kicked a match-winning field goal with just 2min 34sec remaining in "golden point" time, giving the Rabbitohs a dramatic 17-16 victory.

There was one problem however: NRL rules stipulate extra time must be played over two five-minute periods. Yesterday's extra time was played over one period of 10 minutes.

NRL chief operating officer Graham Annesley eased Souths fans' anxiety last night by announcing the match result would stand with the Rabbitohs to get their points. But Wests Tigers will lodge a protest with the NRL today.

They rightly claim the extra-time excitement should have been halted after five minutes with the Tigers to receive the ball from the kickoff.

In other weekend blunders:

Video referee Phil Cooley disallowed a try to Penrith's Amos Roberts after going back two tackles to rule on a Trent Waterhouse knock-on at Canberra on Friday night.

Newcastle winger Timana Tahu was awarded a try against the Storm in Melbourne yesterday although he clearly put his leg into touch. The Knights won 36-26.