Rules on the run
There is absolutely zero question that Martin Taupau deserved to have stern action taken against him on the field – and certainly deserves a significant sanction from the match review panel – for his unprovoked and vicious swinging arm on a defenceless James Maloney lying prone on the ground in the Roosters-Tigers clash on Friday.
It was a nasty, grubby act that was high and arguably intentional. Such was his lack of contrition that when a melee ensued he pretended to bite a Roosters player. He should have been sent off. Instead – in an unprecedented move – Taupau was sent to the sin bin.
Once again, NRL officials have re-written the rules of the game on the run. At no stage has the sin bin been available for acts of foul play. The sin bin is there for professional fouls, repeated infringements, fighting or dissent. While it is arguable that foul play should be eligible for the sin bin, that is currently not the case or at least wasn’t until Jared Maxwell decided to rewrite the rugby league rulebook.
And the reaction was, certainly in part, due to the reluctance of referees to use the send-off, something the NRL has not seen since 2013. Much of the frustration with officiating in the NRL is a result of constantly changing rules and interpretations made by officials on the run. This is a serious problem for the league yet it is one they seem oblivious to.
Sharks fail with Fifita embarrassment
Cronulla have done plenty to restore their reputation in the wake of the Asada scandal. Yet much of that good work unravelled over the weekend when the Sharks allowed Andrew Fifita to play against Canterbury despite an admission from Sharks CEO Lyall Gorman of at least partial guilt in an incident involving the abuse of a match official at a junior game.
Fifita and his brother David are alleged to have hurled abuse at the young match official before threatening to “smash him” after the referee recorded the incident on his mobile phone. The Sharks pair have now been stood down while the investigation continues, having already been suspended from attending any Penrith junior league match for 12 months. It is David’s second year-long ban since 2011.
The NRL and local bodies have worked hard to stop the abuse of referees – particularly at a junior level – and to have two first graders, including one international, engaging in such tawdry behaviour is not only an embarrassment to the code but a shocking example to set.
Both should have been stood down immediately after admitting any involvement in the incident, which Gorman agreed did happen on Sunday afternoon. Both deserve to have major penalties issued against them while the NRL will have little choice but to treat Cronulla with a heavy hand after the club put two competition points ahead of the good of the game.
Warriors cast as Johnson sidelined
The New Zealand Warriors sat as high as fourth on the premiership ladder just two rounds back but seem destined to miss the eight after a horror Saturday clash with Manly that saw the Sea Eagles win 32-12 at Mt Smart and more critically, New Zealand lose star halfback Shaun Johnson.
Johnson has been in dominant form in recent weeks, arguably the best player in the NRL over the last four-to-six weeks. Without him, the Warriors cannot make a push into the finals. The tall and the short of it is the Warriors just haven’t been that good with Johnson. And without the reigning Golden Boot winner, they are looking at a steep drop.
New Zealand have done very little against quality teams this year, building a concerning 2-6 record against top eight teams. The Warriors are winless in five matches against top four teams with an average losing margin of 14.4 points.
With clashes against three top eight teams to come – along with awkward matches against the Dragons and Panthers – the smart money will be on another season of unfulfilled promise from New Zealand.
Tryless Titans chasing spoon
The Gold Coast Titans have suddenly found themselves unable to score, beaten 34-0 by rivals Brisbane on Friday night in another hapless attacking display. It follows a 30-2 loss to fellow stragglers Newcastle. Their only try in the last three matches came in the 79th minute against Manly, a consolation when trailing 38-0.
With Daly Cherry-Evans coming, there seemed hope for 2016. With no DCE, there seems little hope for improvement next year, a rough outlook for a team that is in the box seat to run dead last.
Welcome back Matt
The most heart-warming site over the weekend came in the outpost of Napier, hosting its first premiership match. Storm winger Matt Duffie was a late inclusion, his first top grade game since round four in 2013. The former Kiwi international has endured two ACL injuries and a shoulder reconstruction to force his way back into the NRL.
It was a testament to his hard work, resilience and love of the game that he has fought his way back to the top. All rugby league fans will be hoping he can go injury-free for many years.
