HUDDERSFIELD coach Jon Sharp believes Ashley Klein should have gone to the video referee before awarding Hull’s controversial second try.
Giants winger Paul Reilly lost the ball after ducking under a swinging arm from prop Garreth Carvell.
The home side immediately gained possession and scored a converted try to make it 10-0 after 11 minutes.
And with Hull eventually going on to win the contest by six points, Giants chief Sharp admits it was a crucial call.
“To me, it looked like a high shot on Paul,” said Sharp.
“Ashley (left) had the video referee facility available to him for the game, and only he can explain why he didn’t use it.
“It was a very big call that proved extremely crucial.
“But I also felt we were a little unlucky when the video referee awarded Hull a try when Manu had lost the ball.
“In my view, they were two very important calls that didn’t go our way.”
However, although the Galpharm chief was disappointed by the decisions he was keen they didn’t overshadow is side’s achievements this season.
“We would obviously have loved to have gone much further in the play-offs,” he added.
“But, whatever way you look at it, this has been a successful season for this club.
“As well as reaching the play-offs for the first time, the club has just achieved its highest finish in rugby league for 50 years.
“Along the way we have suffered a lot of adversity, and these challenges have made us stronger.
“That’s why I believe we finished the year the way we did, because we were so together as a group.
“It’s sad we’re going to lose some very special people now, but as one page closes another one opens, and I know this club will get even stronger.
“The work of making this club stronger has already started.”
Chris Nero, Brad Drew and Paul Reilly went into Saturday’s clash at Hull knowing it would be their last for the Giants.
Drew and Reilly are moving to Wakefield, while it was announced at the weekend that Nero has signed a three-year deal with Bradford Bulls.
And a question mark still hangs over the future of Robbie Paul, who is still talking to the club over his plans for next season.
All four men had big games for Huddersfield at Hull, although Nero’s time at the Giants ended on a sad note as he suffered a broken collar bone.
“Losing Chris just before half-time was a big blow, because he’s been good for us all year,” continued Sharp.
“But it’s also disappointing for him that his time at the club should have ended like this.
“He was gutted about it.
“And I know Brad would have been gutted if he hadn’t played, because he so nearly didn’t.
“He picked up a calf strain and couldn’t train with the rest of the team on Friday.
“We then had to wait for the physio top give him the green light on the day of the game. It was a nervy time for all of us.
“But fortunately he played and it was good that he, Paul and Chris could say their farewells to the fans at the end of the game.”
