RUGBY LEAGUE
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The Illawarra Cutters let a certain top-four berth slip through their fingers on Saturday, surrendering a 26-point lead to lose to Wyong 40-26 in a remarkable second-half capitulation.
It leaves them relying on results falling their way in the final round to retain a place in the four.
The Cutters led 26-0 with 30 minutes to play in the second half before the Roos, largely inspired by former Roosters centre Jono Ford, ran in seven tries to storm home in front of a stunned home crowd.
Cutters coach Scott Logan was at a loss to explain the result after the match.
"It's still a little bit hard to believe what happened there in that 30-minute period. I can't say I've ever been involved with too many games where we've had 40 points put on us in 30 minutes after having a 26-0 lead," Logan said.
The control around the rucks was consistent in the first half, he said.
"That put us out to a pretty decent half-time score. A couple of tries after half-time came quite cheaply our way which probably led to a little bit of complacency I think.
"We talked about playing field position and keeping the ball down their end of the field.
"Of the 12 sets we had we completed eight, and I reckon one of them was in the right part of the field for us. It's pretty difficult when you put yourselves under that sort of pressure.
"Maybe that explains it, but in the context of where we were at in the game, it's still really hard to explain why and how that actually happened."
The Cutters have a bye in the final round and, with only competition leaders Penrith boasting a better points differential, could still finish in the top four if results fall their way.
Logan said a week off following the loss was not perfect for the players but was something he will look to utilise as coach.
"It's not ideal not having a game, more so for the players. I think they'd like to bounce back straight away, but it gives me a full week to dissect exactly what happened there and put some things in place.
"It's definitely not the type of form you want to take into a bye and then the semi-finals, but what can you do, we've just got to regroup and go again.
"Obviously the ability to play for 80 minutes isn't quite there at the moment and that's something we've got to address," Logan said.