NRL 2020: NZ Warriors forward Jazz Tevaga swipes at officials, claiming '13 v 14'

NZ Warriors utility Jazz Tevaga has taken a swipe at NRL officials, claiming it feels like the referees are never on their side. 

His comments come less than two weeks after he was controversially sin-binned during a controversial 24-18 loss to the Parramatta Eels.

Two of the Eels' four tries came while they had a one-man advantage, after Tevaga was deemed to have struck opposite Nathan Brown with a punch. 

After the game, coach Todd Payten lamented the "wrong call", insisting it had a "big impact" on the result, while NRL head of football Graham Annesley said Tevaga "probably" shouldn't have been sin-binned.

Tevaga feels this wasn't a one-off incident, claiming like the Warriors never get the rub of the green on the field. 

"It seems like it is always the case with us," he says. "To me, it seems like it is 13 v 14 always. 

"But it is the same old story - we have just got to get on with it, there is nothing we can do. We can't change the past, it is what it is."

The Warriors' hopes of finishing inside the top eight and playing playoff football ended last weekend with a 22-14 loss to Cronulla Sharks.

Tevaga says players are happy to return home at the end of the month, after being in Australia since early May, but missing out on the chance to defy the odds hurts, especially after being declared wooden-spoon favourites at the start of the season. 

NRL 2020: NZ Warriors forward Jazz Tevaga swipes at officials, claiming '13 v 14'

"We all know our finals hopes are gone and, you know, there is an end to this story," he says.

"We were hoping we could sneak into the eight and get into the finals, because after all we have been through and the performances we have been putting in, we thought we deserved it.

"It is a bit disappointing - it is always sad when the season ends.

"It was very tough. I'm still kind of getting over it, but we've got two more games to go, and then go home and have a rest."

Tevaga missed the start of the season with ankle and knee injuries - the latter came days after the Warriors arrived in Tamworth to complete their two-week quarantine.

Since returning in round nine, Tevaga has been one of the Warriors' best performers, with his aggression and role as an enforcer providing a highlight. 

But Tevaga admits he could have played better at times. 

"I have not really reflected yet on my season, but I am not overly pleased with how I have been going," he says

"The last two weeks, I have not been performing as good as I should have been, but I will reflect on that at the end of the season and see what I need to do to get better.

"My discipline has been pretty poor and I feel like my defence has not been up to the standard I set for myself."

The Warriors face Canberra Raiders in their next match on Sunday. 

Join us for live updates of Warriors v Raiders NRL clash from 4pm Sunday