NRL referees co-coach Stuart Raper admits the officials erred in pulling up the Sydney Roosters for a forward pass, but cast doubt on whether skipper Braith Anasta would have scored a try had it been allowed.

Anasta galloped away after being put into a gap by Todd Carney with the Roosters trailing by six points ten minutes from time in Saturday night's loss to Wests Tigers at Leichhardt Oval.

He was called back by referee Jason Robinson on the advice of his touch judge, a call Raper said should not have been made.

The decision left the Roosters incensed, but Raper said it was "speculative" to suggest the Roosters would have scored with Tigers fullback Tim Moltzen coming across in defence.

"I thought the pass was flat at worst," Raper told the NRL website.

"The touch judge thought it was forward and he was in a good position to make that call ... after the review today, we think it probably should have been play on.

"But I think it is very speculative to say that it cost the Roosters a try.

"There were plenty of defenders around and they all stopped when the whistle blew. It was 55 metres away from the tryline and everybody had stopped because of the whistle.

"I'm not saying he wouldn't have scored, but it is very speculative to assume the call cost them a try."

The admission comes as cold comfort to the Roosters in a season in which they have managed just five wins from 18 games.

Raper also said Cronulla winger Nathan Stapleton should have received the benefit of the doubt for his first-half effort against Newcastle at Toyota Stadium.

Sharks coach Shane Flanagan described the no-try ruling as costly, with the flyer ruled to have lost the ball over the line with the Knights ahead 2-0.

"If that try isn't a try ... talk about no separation, I'd like to hear their reasons for that," an irate Flanagan said after the game.

Raper said while there was some doubt over the put-down, the majority of referees at Monday's weekly review of games admitted they would have awarded the try.

Brought to you by AAP © 2024 AAP