Cameron Smith under fire for pulling opponent’s ears

Cameron Smith will receive an official warning from the NRL after shocking images emerged of the Melbourne Storm captain appearing to pull at the ears of Canberra’s Bailey Simonsson.

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Ricky Stuart has called for someone “big enough” at the NRL to “stand up and eliminate” grubby tactics like Cameron Smith’s nasty ear pull on Canberra young gun Bailey Simonsson.

The under-siege Melbourne captain found himself at the centre of another wrestling controversy after The Daily Telegraph revealed photos of Smith appearing to intentionally pull and twist the ears of his Raiders rival.

In the image you can clearly see a section of Simonsson’s ear popping out between Smith’s knuckles as the youngster grimaces in obvious pain at the “wingnut” tackle.

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Cameron Smith holds the ears of Canberra’s Bailey Simonsson at AAMI Park. Picture: AAP

There was also concern at how close Smith’s knuckles are to Simonsson’s temple region.

While the incident escaped a match review charge, the NRL will fire off an official concerning act notice to Smith, making him aware that his actions didn’t go unnoticed.

Stuart was adamant these type of incidents have no place in rugby league.

“There has to be someone big enough in the game to stand up and eliminate these type of tactics, and that includes any player from any team,” Stuart said.

After a week where the Storm’s wrestling tactics again came under the microscope, Smith was penalised for the incident.

Asked if he thought it was a grubby act, Stuart said: “You can call it what you want. We are big boys. We got on with the job. It is not my job to stop it. Ben Cummins (onfield match referee) handled it very well.”

With Canberra in possession on the 30m line with just over 10 minutes remaining, Simonsson got to his feet and pushed Smith backwards before the penalty was awarded.

Smith immediately questioned the penalty as the Raiders marched down field and scored a minute later through Jordan Rapana.

Smith then raised the incident again with referee Ben Cummins.

“I just want some clarification on what that penalty was for there?” Smith asked.

“Rubbish on the face, mate, and it was you,” Cummins said.

Bailey Simonsson grimaces at the hands of Cameron Smith. Picture: AAP

“Rubbish on the face?” Smith said with a disbelieving laugh.

“Yeah,” Cummins replied.

“Okay, no worries,” Smith said.

Smith questioned Cummins twice more to which the referee replied: “Mate, I can’t tell you anymore, Cameron.”

“Fair dinkum. Rubbish on the face?”

The incident dragged on for the entire time Raiders captain Jarrod Croker was lining up the conversion as he reduced the Storm’s lead to 18-16, before going on to record one of the great comeback victories in the club’s history.

Raiders coach Ricky Stuart wants grubby tactics rubbed out of the game. Picture Kym Smith

Asked if he believed it was a deliberate act, Stuart added: “I can’t speak for his actions.” There was no shortage of spite in the game with Canberra forward Joe Tapine charged for punching Nelson Asofa-Solomona in retaliation after some push and shove in a scrum.

Smith had previously found himself at the centre of another controversy playing against the Raiders a few years back when he dropped a knee into the back of Croker’s injured knee.

Storm teammate Cameron Munster was charged for a cannonball tackle on Sia Soliola on Saturday night but will escape suspension with guilty plea.

The Raiders fought back from 18-0 down, and after two players were sin binned, to defeat the runaway competition leaders on their home turf.

Originally published as Cameron Smith under fire for pulling opponent’s ears