Andy Last labelled the situation as ‘disgraceful.’
Hull FC interim head coach Andy Last.(Image: SW PIX)
Hull FC have received communication from the Rugby Football League questioning Andy Last’s version of events at the conclusion of Saturday’s game against Wigan Warriors.
Last blasted the stoppage of the MKM Stadium countdown clock with two minutes to go of the Super League clash, stating frustration for the way the game concluded, with the clock not visible on the big screen and players unaware of the time remaining in the game. The same thing happened at the end of the first half of Hull’s game at Warrington Wolves earlier this month.
Speaking after the four-point loss to the Warriors, Last said his players were told in the final stoppage of play by referee Liam Moore that they had 25 seconds left to play, only for the full-time siren to go immediately after one play.
“It’s disgraceful,” Last told Hull Live after the game. “That’s the second time in the space of a month it’s happened. Today, we get told there are 25 seconds to go on the clock. We pass the ball and after one play, the game gets called.
“It shouldn’t be happening. It’s not good enough for us as a game. The clock is a massive part of the game.”
That version of events has now been disputed by the RFL, who have challenged Last’s post-match comments and have made contact with the Black and Whites to that effect.
The RFL are understood to have a different version of how the game ended. They claim the game time was never lost after the clock went down on the big screen and was instead synchronised with the timekeeper’s manual back up. The match commisioner also stayed in contact with match official.
The RFL claim the players were told there were 25 seconds of play remaining when Hull took the restart from Wigan centre Adam Keighran’s missed penalty goal. After the next penalty was then awarded to Hull, who successfully contested the restart, carried the ball forward, earned a penalty and then kicked the ball into touch, Liam Moore told the players that there were seven seconds remaining. The hooter then sounded seven seconds later.
Hull Live understands Hull FC have been made aware of the referee and officials’ differing view, but as it stands, they look set to stand by their post-match assessment.