NRL split on controversial call after Jordan Rapana’s ‘horror movie’ scenes

NRL fans have been left disgusted after Canberra winger Jordan Rapana was left covered in blood, but the sport was split over the aftermath.

That is a slasher flick. Photo: Getty Images and Fox Sports

The Canberra Raiders have pulled off a massive raid on the Brisbane Broncos, ending the ladder leaders’ unbeaten run at five with a 20-14 win at Suncorp Stadium.

Fresh off a demoralising 53-12 loss to the Panthers last week, the Raiders were a completely different side, humbling the Broncos in a spirited performance in Brisbane.

Watch every game of every round of the 2023 NRL Telstra Premiership Season LIVE on Kayo Sports. New to Kayo? Start your free trial now >

But, as with most things in the NRL, it wasn’t without controversy after a sickening and bloody incident late in the game.

The game was stopped for approximately five minutes with just under four minutes to go after Raiders winger Jordan Rapana had blood pouring from his head.

Rapana caught a bomb, dropping to the ground, only to find the knee of a charging Marty Taupau as the Broncos prop tried to put pressure on the kick.

The aftermath was Rapana and his jersey covered in blood as it leaked from a gash on his head.

But while the rugby league world almost universally believed it was an accident, the bunker and referee Grant Atkins awarded a penalty to the Raiders.

The incident that led to the horror movie. Photo: Fox Sports

He didn’t miss. Photo: Fox Sports

Atkins said while his hands were in the air, it was a “careless act” similar to when a player was going for a try and was down low.

But the Fox Sports commentators didn’t agree.

“He looks like a man in a world of pain,” Ginnane said of Rapana.

“Careless is what the referee has said.

“It’s hard to know what Taupau could have done.

“That is a game-defining decision. If Rapana is not lying on the ground, this isn’t looked at.”

Steve Roach agreed: “There’s nothing he (Taupau) could have done. It’s completely accidental.”

But Broncos great Corey Parker had a differing view.

“Really unfortunate for Jordan Rapana, who has had a wonderful game, but I’ve got to go against what you’re saying,” he said.

“It is accidental but the careless act of it is why Jordan Rapana is leaving the field. I think while we can see it was a complete accident, unfortunately for the Brisbane Broncos, that’s why a penalty was given and I think that’s sufficient.”

In the studio after the match, Cooper Cronk and Mal Meninga agreed it deserved a penalty.

“I actually agree with it, yes it was a complete accident, yes there was Taupau to pull out of it, but the way the game is played nowadays, there needs to be care from the player inflicting the injury,” Cronk said.

“Whether it is a high shot or anything else, completely accidental, worrying concerns for Jordan Rapana but I agree with the penalty because a player was put in a dangerous position.”

Meninga agreed: “Unintentional, he did hit him, he hit him in the head and there’s duty of care … certainly unintentional.”

even the trainer knows it was bad. Photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images

Post-match, Broncos fullback Reece Walsh sent his best to Rapana, calling it a “sickening cut on his head”, but felt like Taupau was just bracing himself.

Taupau on report for trying too hard. Terribly rough call.#NRLBroncosRaiders

— Dane Lillingstone (@Dane_ML) April 8, 2023

That was absolutely munted horror movie style blood gear, I have never seen anything like it in my life. #NRLBroncosRaiders

— Eliza Barr (@ElizaJBarr) April 8, 2023

Correct decision. Careless and contacted head. #nrlbroncosraiders

— MAD About Racing (@ShaneDuff72) April 8, 2023

Yeah. Nah. That’s not a penalty hey.

Rapana unfortunate but collision with the knee completely accidental. #nrlbroncosraiders

— Ed Jackson (@edjacko) April 8, 2023

Raiders coach Ricky Stuart said there were no hard feelings between him and Taupau after the drama.

“It was an accident,” Stuart said. “I feel sorry for Marty Taupau, but it was an accident. He didn’t mean to do that. He was looking for Jordie earlier and spoke to his parents, which was really nice of him. It was an unfortunate collision and those accidents happen in these games.

“I hope he’s not suspended but at the moment to be honest, we’re clamping down on high shots but what’s creeping into the game again is a number of players are laying down and staying down and I don’t blame them, because it’s what the interpretations allow.”

What a win for Canberra! Photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images

Fresh off a 53-12 loss to the Panthers, Josh Papali'i’i said it was “one of the scariest moments of my life walking into that video session”.

“Ricky was not happy,” he said.

But it’s potentially a season-turning victory, ending the Broncos’ first 5-0 start to the season for the first time in 25 years.

It also helps the Raiders to their second win of the season and showed exactly what the green machine are made of.

Mediaworks journalist Craig Norenbergs even tweeted: “Given the context, I reckon that was one of the @RaidersCanberra greatest ever regular season wins. Certainly one of my favourites, and I’ve just about seen ‘em all.”

Originally published as NRL split on controversial call after Jordan Rapana’s ‘horror movie’ scenes