Lawton facing ban for tackle that injured Rooster
Scott Bailey |
The NRL referees’ handling of foul play is back in the spotlight, with Karl Lawton handed one of the most serious charges of the year despite not being penalised for a third-man in tackle that injured Siua Wong.
Sydney Roosters second-rower Wong will miss up to six weeks after scans confirmed a medial ligament tear, following contact from Lawton on Sunday.
The North Queensland forward was not reprimanded during the 42-8 loss, despite referee Ashley Klein and bunker officials having time to review the incident.
Lawton was then hit with a grade-three dangerous contact charge on Monday, the highest possible grading without referring him straight to the judiciary.
Lawton’s charge is only the second grade-three charge for any offence this season, after Dolphins veteran Felise Kaufusi copped the same punishment for dangerous contact on Cowboy Tom Duffy last week.
Only Manly prop Tof Sipley has been given a higher grading this NRL season, referred straight to the judiciary for a hip-drop tackle that injured St George Illawarra’s Mat Feagai in April.
With a clean recent record, Lawton can accept a two-match ban with an early plea or risk a third game on the sidelines if he elects to fight the grading.
But the significant difference in the way the tackle was viewed is likely to raise eyebrows.
Roosters coach Trent Robinson refused to delve into his thoughts on Sunday saying he hadn’t seen it properly.
In the Nine Network’s coverage, Andrew Johns was highly critical of the contact.
“It’s dangerous, I hate it,” Johns said.
“If you have two players in the tackle, and momentum is pretty much (stopped), that third man shouldn’t be able to go in like that.
“A couple of years ago we saw Liam Knight get hit from behind and it pretty much destroyed every ligament in his knee.
“The player cannot see it coming. And what’s come into the game is they back into the tackle so they can see the third man coming in and spearing at the knee.
“And what’s happened with that happening is we have crushers coming into the game, because of players turning and twisting looking for that third man.”
In better news for the Tricolours, five-eighth Sandon Smith has been cleared of any knee damage after leaving the field early in the win over the Cowboys.
The Roosters have the bye this week, but Smith will be fine to face Wests Tigers in a fortnight.
Elsewhere, Parramatta have copped a double blow at the judiciary with hooker Ryley Smith and centre Will Penisini both facing suspensions.
Smith is set to cop a two-week ban for his dangerous throw on Phillip Sami in the win over Gold Coast, while Penisini is facing three matches out for one on Beau Fermor.
Both were handed grade-two charges with Penisini sin-binned for his tackle.
Penisini’s extra week is due to a prior charge on his record.
AAP
