Wayne Bennett blasts the NRL after controversial Dylan Napa tackle leaves Korbin Sims with a broken jaw

WAYNE Bennett has launched a savage attack on the NRL and Maroons enforcer Dylan Napa over the controversial tackle that has left Broncos prop Korbin Sims nursing a broken jaw.

Dylan Napa tackles Korbin Sims with this head? BRISBANE, AUSTRALIA — MAY 18: Korbin Sims of the Broncos is taken from the field with a cut in his head after being hit in a high tackle by Dylan Napa of the Roosters during the round 11 NRL match between the Brisbane Broncos and the Sydney Roosters at Suncorp Stadium on May 18, 2018 in Brisbane, Australia. (Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images)

WAYNE Bennett has launched a savage attack on the NRL and Maroons enforcer Dylan Napa over the controversial tackle that has left Broncos prop Korbin Sims nursing a broken jaw.

The Courier-Mail can reveal Bennett has contacted the NRL to express his fury, slamming the league for failing to protect Sims, who underwent surgery on Saturday night in another crushing injury blow for the Broncos.

Bennett was supported by NRL legend and Maroons selector Darren Lockyer, who called for Queensland prop Napa to change his tackling style.

Napa was sin-binned but not suspended for the shot.

Sims will miss four to six weeks after his sickening collision with Napa which saw the Roosters hitman placed on report in Brisbane’s 28-22 victory last Friday night.

Napa was booked for leading with his head, but the NRL match-review committee did not charge him, clearing the prop to be named in the Queensland side next Monday for Origin I on June 6.

The decision has triggered outrage from Bennett, who lashed the NRL process and labelled Napa’s tackle “reckless” with no duty of care for Sims.

“Why hasn’t the game made Napa accountable,” Bennett fired.

“I know there will be a shitfight coming my way but I’m not backing away from it.

“I am not going to watch my players get broken jaws and remain silent.

Brisbane went on to win the controversial clash 28-22.

“When you go before the judiciary, they will ask the player, ‘What was your duty of care?’

“Well ... where is Napa’s duty of care?

“Korbin has had to have surgery for a broken jaw because of Napa’s actions ... is this the look we want for our game?

“Napa could have been charged with a number of things. At its worst, it was reckless.

“This is the most ridiculous situation I have seen.”

Under a 22-page NRL laws-and-interpretations policy issued this season, there are eight ways in which a player can be found guilty of misconduct.

One such breach is “when affecting or attempting to affect a tackle (a player) makes contact with the head or neck of an opponent intentionally, recklessly or carelessly”.

The Napa decision caused much conjecture.

This is what convinced NRL referee Gerard Sutton to place Napa on report. But the NRL match-review committee cleared Napa, alleging Sims’ change of direction was a factor in the collision.

“For the NRL to justify it by saying Sims changed direction is absolute nonsense,” Bennett said.

“Why are people blaming Korbin Sims?

“Korbin had every right under the rules to step and he probably saw Napa coming, so of course he is going to try and get out of the road.

OUT: Axe will fall on Darius

ORIGIN: Scott won’t miss Game I

“Tackle technique is about adjusting your tackle to the situation. If you don’t and you headhigh someone, you should pay a price.

“Napa was the solo-shooter coming out of the line. His arms were spread-eagled as wide as possible at time of contact. It’s an uncommon position.

“His head was intentionally pushed forward in front of his usual body position, so the only possible outcome was his head hitting Sims.

Sims will miss several matches with a broken jaw.

“He shot out of the line and planted his feet. The execution of the tackle was ordinary.

“Look at his attitude post-incident, Napa strutted around like a victor in a prized fight.

“There was no concern for his opponent.

Bennett claimed Napa’s tackle was much worse than Sam Thaiday’s finger-pull on Storm prop Jesse Bromwich last year which saw the Broncos veteran charged.

“There is a bias against the Broncos,” he said. “We won a game we weren’t supposed to win so that would have pissed off the Roosters even more.

“Last year, Sam pulled Jesse Bromwich’s finger. He was found guilty for contrary conduct.

“Are you telling me a finger pull is worse than Napa breaking Sims’ jaw with a reckless tackle?”