Referees have no kahunas

West Tigers captain Robbie Farah has unloaded on referee Jared Maxwell, accusing the whistle-blower of applying different standards in golden point extra time.

Maxwell was in charge as the Tigers lost their match 34-30 against injury-ravaged South Sydney in the final seconds of the extra period at ANZ Stadium on Saturday night.

“I definitely think there’s a different set of rules in extra time than in general time,” Farah told the Austereo network.

“I thought I had a penalty right on fulltime, actually, and Jared Maxwell had the whistle in his mouth but then I think he didn’t have the kahunas to blow the whistle.

“He knew it would have decided the game and the referees, I think, they’re scared to come up with that big call in extra time to give a penalty that’s going to decide the game.” The game was decided when Souths debutant Dylan Farrell completed his hat-trick with a stunning try created by veteran Rhys Wesser.

The loss punted the Tigers from the top four as they struggle to find any fluency despite eight wins from their last 11 games.

They also have injury concerns over centre Chris Lawrence (concussion) and winger Sam Latu (hamstring), while fullback Wade McKinnon (hamstring) and forward Todd Payten (back) pulled out of the clash with the Rabbitohs.

“We’ve got to continue to work on simply retaining possession and being a bit more patient,” Farah told BigPond Sports Weekend.

“When we make breaks we think we’ve got to score on that play and we try a kick or a pass when we’re better off … trying to score on the next play.

“Sometimes we do get a bit excited and it does cost us on the night when it doesn’t come off for us.

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