Newcastle secured a dramatic victory over the New Zealand Warriors in a sudden-death National Rugby League semi-final on Sunday at Eden Park, amid controversy over a missed penalty call in the closing moments of the match. The crowd of 48,511 spectators witnessed a tense finish as officials failed to award an escort penalty that would have extended the game into extra time.

The disputed incident occurred when Warriors player Leka Halsalima was knocked off the ball by Newcastle’s Tyson Frizell in the final minute. Video replays indicated that the tackle constituted a clear escort, a penalty that would have forced a restart and kept the Warriors’ hopes alive. However, the match officials, led by referee Ashley Klein, chose not to call the infringement.

The decision sparked immediate unrest among fans at Eden Park. Multiple projectiles, including cans, were reportedly thrown in the direction of Klein and other match officials as they left the field. Witnesses described a volatile atmosphere with supporters visibly upset by what they perceived as a crucial refereeing error that influenced the outcome of the game.

The Newcastle Knights’ victory ensures their continued presence in the NRL finals, keeping their unexpected run alive. Meanwhile, the Warriors’ season ended in heartache after what some deemed a contentious conclusion to their semi-final campaign.

The National Rugby League has yet to release an official statement regarding the incident. The refereeing panel’s decisions have come under scrutiny as supporters and analysts debate the impact of the missed call on the match result.