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NRL divided over send off as 12-man Raiders overcome Bulldogs

Another day another drama for the NRL’s controversial foul play crackdown as the first send off divided the sport once again.

Andrew McMurtryAndrew McMurtry
@AndrewMcMurtry
2 min read
May 15, 2021 - 5:02PM
What a comeback from the Raiders.
What a comeback from the Raiders.

The Canberra Raiders’ Josh Papalii has been the first player sent off under the high shot foul play crackdown after a hit midway through the second half of their clash with the Canterbury Bulldogs.

It comes after eight players were sin binned in Friday night football with fans and commentators fuming over the crackdown.

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The Raiders had already had Jack Wighton sin binned for a cannonball tackle.

It helped the Bulldogs hit the lead as Jake Averillo scored near the corner to take a 12-8 lead.

But the Raider who have had a shocking run of form of later, highlighted by second half capitulations to lose their last five straight, lost Papalii to a straight send off.

The Raiders were looking for something and Papalii and Josh Hodgson went for a big shot on Bulldogs winger Tuipulotu Katoa, but upon replay, Papalii had come into contact with Katoa’s head.

The send off tackle for Papalii.
The send off tackle for Papalii.

“There's a problem here, a very big problem for Josh Papalii who made direct contact with the head,” Warren Smith said. “This will be a sin bin at a minimum given the instructions from the NRL to the club during the week who said direct and forceful contact with the head and neck would be a penalty or more likely a sin bin or a send off.”

While in the past it may have gone on report or perhaps drawn a sin bin, referee Chris Butler felt he had no choice but to send Papalii off.

Katoa also didn’t get back on the field, failing his HIA which activated the 18th man.

Cooper Cronk said that it was “almost impossible” when teams went down to 11 men, with the Raiders surviving three minutes two men down.

“It’s really hard to argue with the new interpretations and the letter of the law,” he said. “It’s come from the Commission, it’s come from Peter V’landys, it’s come from the top.”

Smith added: “In reality, that’s the tackle they want out of the game.”

Raiders coach Ricky Stuart said “the game has changed”and said although Papalii hit him high, Katoa was “falling into it”.

Stuart said it was “sad we’re talking about it” and said he felt as though the rules were giving other codes a leg up.

“There are going to be a whole heap of send off this year if that’s a send off incident,” he said. “I just hope they don’t change now if that’s the precedent. We’re going to find a completely different game of rugby league than we’ve been following for many years.

“I’m not going to say what I think because I could be wrong and then I’ll get whacked again. So I’m better off keeping my comments to myself respectfully.”

Josh Papalii was sent straight off.
Josh Papalii was sent straight off.

Despite a day of seeing what the crackdown would look like, fans were split on the send off.

Triple M DJ Becko wrote “The NRL have f***ed the game”.

But that didn't stop the Raiders from mounting an incredible comeback.

With Wighton returning to the field, the 12 man Raiders scored through Curtis Scott pushing into the corner and Sebastian Kris crossing out wide.

Only a try in the final minute by Dogs fullback Dallin Watene-Zelezniak made it close for a grandstand finish but they couldn’t hit back, knocking on in their last attempt.

The Raiders have now snapped a five-game losing streak with the 20-18 win.

Originally published as NRL divided over send off as 12-man Raiders overcome Bulldogs

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Original URL: https://www.adelaidenow.com.au/sport/nrl/nrl-divided-over-send-off-as-12man-raiders-overcome-bulldogs/news-story/79ff880af4a8e7ec3854db75bb124cb0