The NRL have admitted their whistleblowers got a crucial call wrong when Wests Tigers back-rower Ryan Matterson was awarded a try in their 27-26 win over North Queensland.

NRL head of football Graham Annesley said Matterson should not have been awarded the four-pointer because of an Esan Marsters knock-on in the lead up which should have been referred to the bunker.

Annesley, however, said he had no issue with the decision to award Michael Chee-Kam a penalty try late in the game.