LEAGUE: Video ref makes huge call in Origin opener

One of the great Origin tries - or one of the great raw deals?
It all depends which side of the Tweed River you're from. Opinion is sure to be strongly divided on Maroon and Blue lines on the try video referee Graeme West awarded to Queensland in last night's State of Origin series opener at Suncorp Stadium.
As rugby league's annual showpiece celebrates its 25th year, the try West awarded to Queensland winger Ty Williams will have the punters arguing for another quarter of a century.
West seemed to have an almost impossible task determining whether Queensland fullback Billy Slater knocked on as he was tackled by Blues second rower Nathan Hindmarsh when trying to take an inside pass off Maroons skipper Darren Lockyer.
After the tackle, the ball was propelled forward and Williams ran through to gather it up and score under the posts.
Referee Paul Simpkins went to West to judge whether the ball had only come off Slater's knee or had touched his hand as well.
Video replays seemed inconclusive but the sharp-eyed West gave the benefit of the doubt to the attacking team and the scoreboard declared "TRY".
In front of more than 50,000 mostly diehard Queensland fans, it was a hugely popular decision. But had such a ruling been made in favour of NSW then West might have had to run and catch the first cab back to Brisbane Airport.
Less than five minutes into the second half West was called upon again to decide whether Blues winger Luke Rooney got over the line. Simpkins asked for another decision from his man upstairs but this time West flashed up "ref's call", with Simpkins ruling no try.