Tommy Raudonikis calls for NRL to suspend players caught diving deliberately
DIVING has emerged as players realise they can earn penalties in Bunker reviews. Now, Tommy Raudonikis wants the NRL to adopt soccer-like rules after a spate of on-field theatrics.
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LEAGUE legend Tommy Raudonikis wants the NRL to suspend players that take a dive to attract a penalty after a spate of on-field theatrics.
Broncos coach Wayne Bennett savaged Daly Cherry-Evans’ “obviously deliberate” dive in Saturday’s win over the Sea Eagles, predicting players would follow the Manly captain’s lead to earn penalties and turn the game into a laughing stock unless the NRL stamps it out now.
The Bunker denied Brisbane a late try when Cherry-Evans hit the turf like he had been shot by a Suncorp Stadium sniper after Broncos forward Sam Thaiday made light contact as a decoy runner.
Cherry-Evans appeared to take an extra step away from Thaiday before belatedly throwing himself to the ground to attract the attention of match officials.
Referees boss Tony Archer last night admitted The Bunker was wrong to deny Tautau Moga the 79th-minute try.
“The referee made a live decision of ‘try’ and asked to review any possible obstruction in the play,” Archer said. “I am of the opinion Cherry-Evans makes a decision to defend Sam Thaiday.
“The ball is received (by Darius Boyd) outside of Thaiday and as a result I believe there is insufficient evidence to overturn the live decision.”
Diving has emerged as players realise they can earn penalties in Bunker reviews.
Sharks captain Paul Gallen fell to the ground after having his jersey held by Tigers rival Aaron Woods in another incident where a try was denied.
Players can be penalised and suspended for diving in soccer and Raudonikis said the NRL should do the same.
“Blokes are taking dives and it’s disgraceful,” he said. “
The toughness is going out of the game because of different rules.
“It’s not part of our game. There should be rules against diving.
“They do it to just get a penalty.
“These blokes are hard fellas, but because of our weak rules and referees they think diving is part of the game.”
Bennett said The Bunker should have seen Cherry-Evans made the wrong defensive decision, regardless of the contact with Thaiday.
“You can’t just get tapped like he did and fall over backwards — it was obviously deliberate,” Bennett said.
“He realised he was gone, that he had made the wrong decision defensively. It wasn’t even a collision.
“You just can’t have guys diving. Everyone will be doing it in the next two months, I can guarantee you.
“I am not critical of (Cherry-Evans). The point is we have officials in the game and administrators who have got to make decisions and say ‘that is not acceptable’.”
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