NZ Warriors coach Andrew Webster has defended centre Adam Pompey after his error denied the Auckland side possible victory over Brisbane Broncos in Napier on Saturday.
After the Warriors fought back from 26-10 down in the second half in Hawke's Bay, a try to winger Marcelo Montoya - assisted by Pompey - saw the gap closed to just four points at 26-22 with minutes left on the clock.
With what could have been the final play of the game, Pompey and Montoya combined again in the next set, as the winger went over in the left corner to give halfback Shaun Johnson a conversion attempt for the Warriors to snatch a win.
However, as the referee called for intervention from the bunker, replays showed Pompey had held the jersey of Broncos winger Deine Mariner, seeing the try scratched.
To make matters worse, Pompey didn't even need to interfere with Mariner, with Montoya already past his man by the time the jersey tug took place.
Mistakes in the centres will be under the spotlight for the rest of the 2023 NRL season, with the returning Roger Tuivasa-Sheck to increase competition for places in the side next year.
For coach Webster, though, the fault for Saturday's loss lies with the entire side.
"The big thing for me - and I said it in the press conference - that moment can't define his game," said Webster. "I thought he had a great game.
"We shouldn't have been in that situation there because of other moments. But it was a moment.
"He needed to be better there. Would we have scored? Wouldn't we have scored? Who knows. I've watched it five times. I'm not sure if they get Marce [Montoya] or they don't.
"But he knows. In the reviews and feedback, he's made it pretty clear to me he knows exactly what he needed in that situation.
"He's had complete ownership."
Aside from his try assist, Pompey also threw one line break assist, ran 126 metres and made nine tackles on defence.
That performance has seen Pompey retained to start in the centres again this week when the Warriors face Redcliffe Dolphins at their Go Media Stadium Mt Smart home on Saturday.
And Webster is more than confident Pompey can make amends, given another opportunity.
"Anyone that knows Adam Pompey knows that he cares deeply, preps well [sic], and he'll be hurting," Webster said. "But he knows we've got his back and we go again this week. We know that he'll make up for it.
"It's an easy conversation when a player already knows what he needed to do."
