Gold Coast coach Des Hasler is on his final warning for “direct and targeted criticism” towards the NRL referees.

The league released a statement on Thursday following Hasler’s explosive comments towards officials over the weekend.

Hasler claimed bunker official Kasey Badger got a call wrong to deny the Titans a try, which resulted in a 12-point swing during the 26-16 loss to Melbourne Storm.

Know the news with the 7NEWS app: Download today

Storm players Trent Leorio and Shawn Blore were caught up on the ground at the ruck and Titans dummy half Sam Verrills picked up the ball and dived over the line.

But after a Melbourne challenge, Badger ruled Verrills had made contact with teammate Tino Fa’asuamaleaui, who played the ball, which impeded Ryan Papenhuyzen in defence and was declared a no-try.

While the Titans retained the ball due to the Storm ruck infringement and attacked the line, Melbourne’s Grant Anderson intercepted a pass and raced 90 metres to score.

“Kasey got it wrong, again,” Hasler said at the post-match press conference, which he cut short after two questions.

“There’s an email from the NRL about players lying in the ruck; that’s fine, let them lie in the ruck, but you shouldn’t lose the advantage.

“They were lying all over the ground and six again, penalty, I don’t know whether it was called, and young Vez (Verrills) picks up the ball and dives through, doesn’t touch anyone, Papenhuyzen wasn’t obstructed.

“That was the word-for-word what the NRL sent out, so I’ll be interested to see what their explanation was.”

The NRL didn’t take too kindly to the remarks.

“The NRL has issued Gold Coast Titans coach Des Hasler with a final warning for direct and targeted criticism of NRL Match Officials,” the league said in a statement.

“The final warning relates to comments made by Hasler following Round 13 of the NRL Premiership, as well as previous public statements regarding officiating.”

“Hasler has been reminded of his obligations under the NRL Rules and Code of Conduct as well as his general responsibility as a sporting leader.

“Negative public remarks about match officials significantly hinder the recruitment and retention of match officials at the community and pathways tiers of the game.”

Hasler also called Badger’s officiating of a loss to Canberra “pretty poor” last season.

Asked about his comments ahead of Saturday’s clash with Brisbane, Hasler said: “I was just pointing out a few things.”

It is not the first time Hasler has critiqued the match officials since joining the Titans last season.

The two-time premiership winning coach said in April the liberal use of the sin bin was “spoiling” the game and calling for a return to the two-referee system.

Cowboys coach Todd Payten was hit with a similar warning for his comments last month.

Gold Coast are in last place after losing seven of their past eight, including last week’s loss to Melbourne where they had at times looked a live chance of winning.